5 Costly Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make

first-time buyer
Nesbitt Realty helps first-time home-buyers realize their home-buying dreams.
Buying a first home can be a daunting experience. Here are five common and costly mistakes that novice home buyers make: 1. Ignore the costs of having a low credit score. Lower-score borrowers pay thousands of dollars in increased interest rates over the life of the loan. 2. Make purchases on credit before settlement.  Lenders continue to check credit scores right up until the time of closing. Too much shopping could cause the lender to take back the loan. 3. Scrimp on an inspection. Being surprised by the need for expensive repairs can be financially devastating. 4. Buy without contingencies. Buyers should give themselves an out if the inspection turns up problems or the bank raises the interest rates. 5. No money for insurance. Insurance can be surprisingly pricey. Buyers who don’t budget for it can face a nasty surprise. What exactly does a Realtor do? By law, Realtors are required to:
  • Perform certain mandatory and standard acts to help out with the purchase or sale of real estate.
  • Properly account for the money or alternative property placed in her or his attention.
  • Disclose untoward material facts that are, or should be, inside the broker’s knowledge.
Realtors can assist sellers by screening potential home buyers and by helping them prepare their homes in order to list them on the market. Realtors can also assist buyers by showing investors suitable properties for their risk profiles and long-term investment goals. The agents at Nesbitt Realty can quickly locate the perfect home for you in {Location_Name} through efficiently organizing and coordinating meetings with sellers and potential buyers. Our realtors stay informed about all the important aspects of an area that you might consider when purchasing a home. These may include the following:
  • the quality of schools,
  • association fees,
  • Metro availability,
  • community amenities such as shops, parks, and restaurants.
When homes in {Location_Name} are listed on the market, our brokers have immediate access to them, which saves home buyers hours of time that is otherwise wasted driving around. Our realtors will help you save money on your negotiations, will explain and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different types of mortgages, and will guide you through all the necessary paperwork when you are ready to make an offer on a home.   For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.  

Fed to Keep Rates Low, But for How Much Longer?

The Federal Reserve’s policy-making committee announced it will continue to hold down short-term interest rates, which in turn will help keep mortgage rates low. But there is question of how much longer the central bank will do this. The Fed said it will continue to buy $85 billion a month in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, but would reduce its asset purchase — known as “quantitative easing” — if job growth continues at its current pace.  Federal Reserve Logo Last year, the Fed committed to holding short-term interest rates near zero for as long as unemployment remained above 6.5 percent. In February, the unemployment rate was 7.7 percent. Many economists don’t expect unemployment to drop to levels around 6.5 percent until 2015. However, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke noted Wednesday that there is not consensus among the policy-making committee on how much longer to continue quantitative easing. The committee recognized progress in the economy and job growth in recent months, noting “a return to moderate economic growth following a pause late last year.” Bernanke has testified to Congress that quantitative easing has helped revive the housing market. Mortgage rates have fallen near all-time lows, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 3.63 percent on March 14, according to Freddie Mac. In November 2012, 30-year rates fell as low as 3.31 percent. Housing is “coming back, it’s real, and it’s going to be a positive driver,” said Jeff Fettig, the chief executive officer of Whirlpool Corp., the world’s largest appliance maker. “For every 6 percent increase in existing-home sales you see a 1 percent demand increase in appliances.”
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