07
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

It’s Tax Time: Learn How Buying a New Home Can Help to Reduce Your Tax Burden

Most people do not look forward to tax time, whether they get money back or not, but as a homeowner there are a lot of things you can do that will help to reduce your taxes and get you a refund. If you're getting prepared to invest in a home and are wondering how it can benefit you, here are some deductions you'll want to watch out for. Minimizing Mortgage Interest One of the best benefits of having a home is that you can actually deduct mortgage interest at tax time and save considerable money as a result. While the…
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31
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Student Loans vs. Down Payments: 3 Ways You Can Manage Both and Buy a New Home

The idea of paying off your student loans and buying a home at the same time can seem like an impossible feat given the impact on your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio. However, there are ways it's possible to have enough funds and good enough credit to make your dream of home ownership come true a little more quickly. If you're currently considering how to manage both, here are some options you might want to consider. Decrease Your Debt Lenders will be looking at your DTI ratio in order to determine whether or not you're a solid financial bet, so before throwing…
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24
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate Tips, ,

Spring Is Real Estate’s ‘Rush Hour’ — Here’s How to Tell If You’re Prepared

The most popular time of year to buy a home is in the spring, and this means that if you're preparing yourself for getting into the real estate market, you may be experiencing a time crunch. If you're wondering if you'll be ready to put your home up for sale in time to take advantage of the season, here are few things you'll want to think about. Have You Cleaned Up And De-cluttered? Spring is not only an optimal time to put your home up for sale, it's also an ideal time for spring-cleaning! Instead of leaving all of the…
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22
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Real Estate Investment: Three Telltale Signs You’re Not Cut Out to Be a Landlord

The idea of purchasing a property and having renters can be an exciting business venture that offers lucrative financial rewards. However, there's a lot involved in being a successful landlord and it's important to be aware of what's required before making the commitment. Whether you're investing in one rental property or five, here are some questions you should ask yourself before getting involved. Can You Do-It-Yourself? There's a lot more to being a landlord than taking the rental check, and one of these things is being there for the tenant when push comes to shove. If there are issues with…
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10
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips,

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

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 how you can find out more about the local school, let the following tips be your guide. Take a Web-Search To SchoolMatch.com One of the benefits of so many things being online these days is that local schools are no exception, and SchoolMatch.com is a…
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08
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying Small, Living Large: 4 Big Pros to Buying a Smaller House or Condo

Are you on the hunt for a more efficient living space? Whether you're a first-time buyer or downsizing from a larger home, buying small can still mean living big. Let's explore four positives to living in a smaller, more intimate house or condo. You're Going To Save Money The first, most obvious and most exciting reason is that you're going to save money. The home itself will cost less than a larger one, especially if there is less land or property included. Even better: the money you save on space can be re-invested in quality. Losing a bedroom or two…
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