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Category archives for: Smart Buying

anatomy of a listing

anatomy of a listing

ShareThere are no hard and fast “rules” to which agents adhere when they are writing listings for inclusion in the MLS or for a property’s flyer. Nevertheless, there is a sort of recipe of informational ingredients you should expect to see when you pick up a flyer or see a listing. Generally, the listing agent’s [...]

always have a backup plan

always have a backup plan

ShareWhen you’re buying a home, Plan A is always to buy the home on the terms in the original contract. Plan B is to buy the home after renegotiating some of the terms. Plan C is the contingency plan: If there is an irresolvable flaw in the condition of the home, the home doesn’t appraise [...]

the mindset matrix: the frequently expressed qualms {FEQs} of savvy women who want to buy homes

the mindset matrix: the frequently expressed qualms {FEQs} of savvy women who want to buy homes

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In the course of my day-to-day work as a Realtor for many Savvy Women, I have grown to realize that many Savvy Women have:

been technically able to buy a home for some time (or at least have been in the position to get themselves able), and
wanted a house for some time, but
for a number [...]

fear: how to overcome this homewrecker

fear: how to overcome this homewrecker

ShareThe lessons I’ve learned along the odyssey of my life have taught me two things about fear which apply to women homebuyers:
* What We Fear, We Create – This explains why we must overcome fear. If we allow the fear of becoming destitute and losing our home to prevent us from buying a home in [...]

the power of alignment

the power of alignment

ShareMost of us have heard the highly technical home improvement mnemonic for remembering how to turn faucets, jar tops and screws: righty tighty, lefty loosey. Imagine if you tried to tighten a screw by turning right twice then left once, right a couple more times, then a few lefts. The opposing forces would cancel each [...]

know your numbers

know your numbers

ShareWhen it comes to getting ready to choose the mortgage that makes the most sense for you, there is a key set of numbers that is important for you to know – your personal statistics if you will. You can use my kids’ friend, Hamilton, who is about 13 years old, for inspiration. Hamilton is [...]

lifestyle inputs to your mortgage equation

lifestyle inputs to your mortgage equation

ShareWhen you’ve received your revised credit reports (after errors have been disputed and balances paid as much as makes sense), recalculate your personal statistics, including your new FICO scores. Other than the numbers, there is a short list of qualitative questions to ask yourself to round out your personal profile before the real matchmaking can [...]

surprise prevention: owner-only utilities & costs

surprise prevention: owner-only utilities & costs

ShareIf you are a lifelong renter, you might forget that your landlord takes care of some monthly bills for you. Garbage collection and water are two costs that are usually taken care of by the landlord, and not the tenant. Similarly, landscaping (e.g., fees to maintain the lawn and garden) is often provided by the [...]

house hunting: a three-hour tour – what to expect & what to demand

house hunting: a three-hour tour – what to expect & what to demand

ShareLogistically, the house hunt is a three-step process. First, you will work with your Realtor to determine your search criteria – the characteristics and features you are looking for in a place. That will give you enough insider knowledge to meaningfully complete a Wants and Needs Checklist. Next, your Realtor, and sometimes you yourself, will [...]

what is escrow?

what is escrow?

ShareMy parents sent me to church schools most of my life: some Catholic and some Protestant. In addition to learning to say a quick, automatic prayer every time I see an ambulance speed by, I learned that Catholics and Protestants have completely opposing views of purgatory. The Holy Roman Catholic Church officially views purgatory as [...]

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