Month: February 2020

4 Ways to Save Money When Buying Your First Home

Posted by David Chang on with 0 Comment

When you are buying a new house, chances are you want your deal to the best one possible. Finances are always important when trying to buy a home. It is therefore essential that you consider the following ways to save money so that you can buy your first home without being overly stressed out.

  1. Hire a seasoned and local real estate agent

Nobody knows the area like a real estate agent that works there. Using a local and experienced real estate agent will save you money because they know the business of buying homes in that area. They also have information relevant to the market that will help them negotiate a good contract that will protect you and save you money. The best way to find good local realtors is to ask for referrals from friends and family or check online on websites like Trulia and Zillow.

  • Have a great Credit Score

The higher your credit score is, the lower your mortgage interest rate will be. This also means that you will pay less in lenders fees and therefore have a cheaper loan. Before starting to home purchase process, you should first ensure that all your credit card balances are paid off. You also need to try to maintain a balance below 15% of credit limit on all your credit cards. You should also not apply for any new credit facility or loan while trying to improve your credit score because they require hard inquiries of your credit report which will cause your credit score to drop.

  • Shop around for better loan rates

There are many lenders in your area that are willing to give you a mortgage. It is in your best interest to ensure that you go through as many of them to make sure that you compare rates. This will help you to know which one is the cheapest in its entirety. Sometimes a low interest rate does not mean that it is the cheapest option for you. Speak to your realtor to check what the final figure comes to with fees and charges and this will help you get the best possible deal for your home.

  • Shop for homes in the winter period

The housing market is least aggressive in the winter because there aren’t a lot of people selling. You may not have as much choice, but you will certainly have sellers in the market that will offer you fair prices. You can actually save up to $20,000 on the price of your first home if you shop in the winter.

For more information or any questions regarding sales tips for real estate agents, contact Chang Legal today.

Decorating Your Front Porch – Improving Curb Appeal

Posted by David Chang on with 0 Comment

Do you need to improve your home’s curb appeal? Making your home look more inviting by decorating your front porch is easier than you may think. Some of these decor ideas may work better for you than others depending on the given space of your porch.

Plants

Plants are one of the easiest ways to add decor to your front porch while giving it an extra pop of color. You can use a variety of pots or containers for a more whimsical or use the same color/style to create a symmetrical look on both sides of the door. A great benefit to having potted plants is that you don’t need to worry about digging up your yard.

Create a Seating Area

If you have a larger porch to work with, creating a seating area is a great option. You can add a bench or a set of chairs along with a side table. This is perfect to have on warmer days so you can relax or lounge outside while reading a book or having a conversation with friends or family. Alternatively, you can hang a swinging bench if you have an appropriate place to secure it. Add patterned or solid colored pillows to your preferred seating option for extra color and comfort.

Front Door

Even your front door could use some decorating! Painting the front door of your home is a great way to add a bold pop of color without needing to add much extra decor on your porch. Not wanting to turn this into a painting project? No worries- alternatively you can get a hook for over the door to hang other decor from like a flower wreath or seasonal pieces.

Welcome Mat

Doormats are good to have because they help prevent bringing in moisture and debris into your home. Without one, you may find yourself cleaning the foyer or front area of your home more often than you’d like. For outdoor mats, it’s best to choose one that is rough on the top to help scrape dirt off shoes.

For more information or any questions regarding sales tips for real estate agents, contact Chang Legal today.