Blogs By Dallas

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property's realistic price range.2. Prepare for visitors. Get your house market ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it.3. Be flexible about showings. It's often disruptive to have a house ready to show at the spur of the moment...

The Home Buyer Checklist identifies some of the important factors to consider when choosing a home. In addition to an affordable sales price, you will also want to be sure that the neighborhood and house meet the needs of your family. Take this checklist along when you go shopping for your house....

In real estate contracts the contingency is a common element. Contingencies are clauses in a contract that give either the buyer or seller a way to get out of the contract if certain conditions or timelines aren't met.  A commonly used example is that of a buyer making an offer on a new home befo...

1. What are the most popular mortgages you offer? Why are they so popular?2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for me? Why?3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so, how much will it cost, and how long...

1. Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you'd be willing to spend each month for housing. 2. Be realistic. It's OK to be picky, but don't be unrealistic with your expectations. There's no such thing as a perfec...

1. Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include  the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Develop...

1. What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller's tax bill to help you determine this information. 2. How often are properties reassessed, and when was the last reassessment done? In general, taxes...

Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collecti...

□ W-2 forms - or business tax return forms if you're self-employed - for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan.□ Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan.□ Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.□ Copie...

A. They don't ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.B. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house. C. They don't find the right agent who's willing to help them through the homebuying process.D. They don't do enough to m...