New Home Buyer Guide

Credit Score Myths

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We’ve all heard of them – the credit score myths that pop up just when you’re getting ready to apply for a home loan.

Here are the most common ones I hear from prospective buyers.

Myth: Checking your credit score will lower your score. You can check your own credit score as many times as you want without impacting your score as long as you are pulling it from a consumer website or directly from one of the 3 Bureaus.

Myth: I pay for everything with Cash, I have no debt, I have great credit. Absolutely False! This person probably has a N/A for a credit score and most lenders will automatically turn him/her down.

For more credit score myths – email me at cwahlin@windermere.com
For credit repair and advice – email seanreidloans@gmail.com

What First Time Home Buyers Need to Know

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[Article by COURTNEY CRAIG – an Atlanta-based writer and editor]

When I bought my first house, my timing couldn’t have been better: The house closing was two weeks before the lease was up on my apartment. That meant I could take my time packing and moving, and I could get to know the new place before moving in.

I recruited family and friends to help me move (in exchange for a beer-and-pizza picnic on the floor) and, as a bonus, I got to pick their brains about what first-time homeowners should know.

Their help was one of the best housewarming presents I could have gotten. And thanks to their expertise and a little Googling, here’s what I learned about what to do before moving in.

Change the locks

You really don’t know who else has keys to your home, so change the locks. That ensures you’re the only person who has access. Install new deadbolts yourself for as little as $10 per lock, or call a locksmith — if you supply the new locks, they typically charge about $20 to $30 per lock for labor.

Read the entire article

Real estate investors could benefit from reading this article as well.  You never know how many people have a key and could possibly get into a home you are working on and swipe tools or new appliances.  The section for checking for plumbing leaks could also save a lot of money and problem solving later. Whether you are fixing up the home to resell or are going to rent the home after repairs or updating, the new buyers or tenants will want to feel comfortable that there are no leaks or pests in the home.

Read more

Qualifying for a Mortgage

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Are you in the market to buy a house? Wondering what the easiest way is to qualify for a mortgage?

Sometimes, the mortgage process is not as smooth as you had hoped for. You can be denied a mortgage in the application process for a variety of reasons.

Watch my video for help in preparing to buy a home. Call me so I can guide you through the process ~ 253-315-1758.

New Home Buyer Guide

Am I Ready to Buy a Home?

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Are you ready to buy a home?

There are lots of things to consider when deciding to purchase a home.  Beyond your personal situation, local market conditions, financing costs, and future expectations must also be evaluated. What does the total cost of home-ownership look like? How long do you expect to live there?

For these and other considerations, read the article Am I ready to Buy a Home?