Home Buying Process, House Hunting, Moving, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing Home Buying Process, House Hunting, Moving, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing

Does That Come with the House?

When touring a beautifully staged home, it's easy to admire both the layout and the furnishings. While certain furniture like sectional sofas may seem perfect for the space, they typically don't stay with the home once sold. However, the inclusion of other items in the sale might not be so clear-cut. Find out what’s included in this blog post.

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Moving, Real Estate Tips, Seller Tips, Home Buying Process, Downsizing AF Realty Group Marketing Moving, Real Estate Tips, Seller Tips, Home Buying Process, Downsizing AF Realty Group Marketing

Embracing Freedom: The Benefits of Downsizing After Retirement

Retirement marks a significant milestone in one's life—a time to bid farewell to the daily grind and embrace newfound freedom. For many, it's an opportunity to reassess priorities, simplify life, and embark on new adventures. One such transformative decision that retirees often contemplate is downsizing their home. While the prospect of leaving behind the family home may evoke emotions ranging from nostalgia to apprehension, the benefits of downsizing can profoundly enhance the retirement lifestyle.

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Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process AF Realty Group Marketing Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process AF Realty Group Marketing

Uncommon Home Inspections to Consider When Buying a Home

A home inspection is almost automatic for homebuyers during the escrow period. The goal is to uncover issues that present either an unsafe environment, potentially expensive repairs, and other challenges the new buyer may not expect. Some inspection items are typical, such as electrical and systems, but others are not performed unless requested.

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Financial, Home Buying Process AF Realty Group Marketing Financial, Home Buying Process AF Realty Group Marketing

Supplemental Income and Loans

A divorce is an emotional upheaval regardless of how amicable the parties try to be. One important factor is housing as at least one party will be moving out of the home, and maybe both people will be looking for new, more affordable living arrangements. During the divorce, it’s common for one person to owe the other some form of alimony (spousal support) and/or child support. So, in the search for a new home, how does alimony and child support affect the ability to qualify for a new mortgage? Can a spouse with no income other than alimony and child support buy a home?

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Home Buying Process, Neighborhood, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing Home Buying Process, Neighborhood, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing

Important Considerations When Choosing the Right Neighborhood

Most people know that choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important aspects of a great lifestyle. When buying a new home, this becomes even more important. While everyone knows that property values, safety, schools, and commute rank high in importance, there are some considerations that are not commonly thought about in advance yet make a huge impact on satisfaction.

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Home Buying Process, House Hunting AF Realty Group Marketing Home Buying Process, House Hunting AF Realty Group Marketing

Tips for Touring Homes with Kids

Searching for a new home can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be a stressful experience, especially when you have young children in tow. It can be difficult to keep them entertained and engaged while you're trying to focus on evaluating potential properties. However, with a bit of planning and preparation, it is possible to make touring properties with children a more enjoyable and successful experience.

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Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing

What is "Clear to Close?"

One of the best things a homebuyer can hear is, “we have ‘clear to close.’” It’s one of the biggest milestones in the mortgage lending process and means the underwriter has cleared the application to move forward to document signing and close of escrow. While a critical stage for the sale, this is not the final step in closing on a new home. There are several things that can still affect the transfer of title.

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Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process, Financial AF Realty Group Marketing Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process, Financial AF Realty Group Marketing

Should I Use My 401k to Buy a Home?

With soaring home values and rising interest rates, many potential first time home buyers find saving for a down payment increasingly difficult. For many people, the main source of savings is in the form of a 401k and tapping into this resource for a home purchase is one way to find the down payment necessary to finance a new home; but should you use your 401k to buy a home? Experts are conflicted.

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Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing Buyer Tips, Home Buying Process, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing

Could You Trust Your Partner to Pick the Right House?

Couples dream of buying a home together, leisurely enjoying a latte while dropping by open houses to look at remodeled kitchens and manicured backyards. Today’s market is quite different. Desirable homes are snapped up the moment they hit the market, often with multiple offers. Homebuyers in this climate must move quickly. This may require jumping on an opportunity without both partners adding their input.

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Home Buying Process, Buyer Tips, Housing Costs, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing Home Buying Process, Buyer Tips, Housing Costs, Real Estate Tips AF Realty Group Marketing

Should You Save 20% For a Downpayment?

If you’re planning to buy a new home, you may be wondering about the down payment. Loan programs require down payments as low as 3.5% for FHA loans and conventional offers as low as 5%. While you have a lot of options, there are 4 strong benefits to making a 20% down payment on your home.

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When a House Sells, What Stays?

More than one seller has been surprised to find that their favorite chandelier is not theirs to take when they move. First-time home sellers might be especially confused when confronted with an exclusion form presented by their agent, but understanding what is, and is not included in the sale by statute is important to avoid disappointment on both sides.

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