Home Buyer Tips Archives - J.P. Cook

According to a recent survey conducted by ClosingCorp, over half of all homebuyers are surprised by the closing costs required to obtain their mortgage. After surveying 1,000 first-time and repeat homebuyers, the results revealed that 17% of homebuyers were surprised that closing costs were required at all, while another 35% were stunned by how much

Buying this Spring? Be Prepared for Bidding Wars

April 5, 2017

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers

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Traditionally, spring is the busiest season for real estate. Buyers come out in force and homeowners list their houses for sale hoping to capitalize on buyer activity. This year will be no different! Buyers have already been out in force looking for their dream homes and more are on their way, but the challenge is

The Impact of Homeownership on Family Health

March 20, 2017

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled ‘Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’ The study confirmed a long-standing belief of most Americans: “Owning a home embodies the promise of individual autonomy and is the aspiration of most American households. Homeownership allows households to accumulate wealth and social status, and is the

Buyer’s Remorse: 3 Things You Should Never Say When You’re Negotiating to Buy a Home

February 10, 2017

Home Buyer Tips

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The prospect of finding the home you’ve always dreamed of can be such an exciting prospect that it’s easy to forget all about the process of negotiating. However, it’s important to keep a few things to yourself when it comes to the art of making the deal. If you’re currently searching for the right place

Thinking of Making an Offer? 4 Tips for Success

February 3, 2017

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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So you’ve been searching for that perfect house to call a ‘home,’ and you finally found one! The price is right, and in such a competitive market that you want to make sure you make a good offer so that you can guarantee your dream of making this house yours comes true! Freddie Mac covered “4 Tips

What to Expect From Your Home Inspection

January 31, 2017

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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So you made an offer, it was accepted, and now your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. More often than not, your agent may have made your offer contingent on a clean home inspection. This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price paid for the home, ask the sellers to

3 Ways That Buying or Selling a Luxury Home Is Different

January 27, 2017

Real Estate Tips

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Selling a standard home is fraught with enough concerns about marking it at the right price and staging it properly, but it’s an entirely different ball game when it comes to luxury property. If you’re planning on selling your high-end property and are trying to determine what sets it apart from the average home sale,

Understanding Real Estate Contracts and What You Can Expect to Find

January 4, 2017

Home Buyer Tips

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There are a lot of things that go into the successful sale of your home, but many people are unfamiliar with the intricacies of the contract. Whether you consult with your real estate agent or plan on diving in on your own, it’s important to be clear on the terms. If you’re wondering what you

Helping a Disabled Relative or Friend Buy a New Home? Here’s What to Look For

December 27, 2016

Home Buyer Tips

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The search for a new home is difficult enough for the average person, but if you’re helping a friend or relative who has a disability, there are even more things to be aware of. If you’re not sure quite how to tackle the housing market, here are a few things to look out for so

Making the Grade: How to Research Local Schools Before Buying Your Next Home

December 17, 2016

Home Buyer Tips

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There are so many things involved in moving into a new home in a different neighborhood that it can be easy to forget about the proximity of many nearby amenities. However, if you have children, the local schools available can make-or-break the decision on whether or not to invest in a house. If you’re wondering