If you’re thinking about buying a home that comes with a guest house, it might sound like a great idea – but it’s not for everyone. Just know that a guest house can be a wonderful investment as long as you know the pros and cons up-front. Should You Buy a Home With a Guest […]
How to Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
When you buy a home with a mortgage loan, lenders want to see that you have a debt-to-income ratio of 36 percent or less. There are some exceptions, but this is the “gold standard.” That means you spend 36 percent or less of your monthly cash on debts and obligations. The lower your debt-to-income ratio […]
3 Things First-Time Buyers Need to Know
House-hunting is a big deal – so here’s what you need to know if it’s your first time diving into the real estate market in Lake City. 3 Things First-Time Buyers Need to Know First things first: Working with a Lake City Realtor(R) can help you tremendously. Your agent will walk you through every step […]
Title Insurance Basics You Need to Know if You’re Buying a Property
If you’re buying a property in Lake City, whether it’s a home or a piece of land, you’re probably going to need title insurance. But what is title insurance, how much does it cost, and why do you need it? Title Insurance Basics You Need to Know if You’re Buying a Property Title insurance is […]
Contingencies You Can’t Afford to Waive When You Buy a Home
When you buy a home for sale in Lake City or another North Florida community, your real estate agent will build contingencies into your contract. Some of them you just can’t afford to waive. Related: Contingencies: What You Need to Know Contingencies You Can’t Afford to Waive When You Buy a Home Financing Appraisal Home […]
Sellers: Making a Counteroffer
When you’re selling a property in Lake City or one of the surrounding communities and you receive an offer, you have a few choices. You can accept it as-is if you’re happy with it, you can reject it outright, or you can counteroffer. But how do you counteroffer, and what can you do to make […]
Sellers: How to Calculate Net Proceeds
When you’re selling a home or other property in Lake City, you need to know how much money you’ll walk away with when the deal is done. Here’s how to calculate net proceeds so you can make the right choice on which offer to accept. Sellers: How to Calculate Net Proceeds When you get an […]
Can You Negotiate on a Property’s Price?
In real estate – like in most other things – you’re always free to try to negotiate with a seller. But sometimes you’re not in a good bargaining position, while other times, you really are. Here’s what you need to know. Can You Negotiate on a Property’s Price? Many experts say you’re in a strong […]
Making an Offer 101
When you find “the one” – the Lake City home for sale that you really have to have – you’ll make an offer and hope the seller accepts it. But where do you even start? Making an Offer 101 Your Realtor(R) will fill out the right forms for you to make an offer on your […]
What is Escrow?
When you’re buying a home for sale in Lake City, your real estate agent will talk to you about escrow. But what is escrow, and how does it protect you whether you’re the buyer or seller? What is Escrow? In real estate, the term escrow refers to a secure area where important items – like […]
