TeamDeBrito's Blog

1. Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critical.2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.3. Don't throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item ...

The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier's check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:- Downpayment- Loan origination fees- Points, or l...

- The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) statement. This form, sometimes called a HUD 1 statement, itemizes all the costs associated with the closing. You'll need this for income tax purposes and when you sell the home.- The Truth in Lending Statement summarizes the terms of your mortg...

It's important to understand what legal responsibilities your real estate salesperson has to you and to other parties in the transactions. Ask your salesperson to explain what type of agency relationship you have with him or her and with the brokerage company.1. Seller's representative (also know...

1. Get at least three written estimates.2. Get references and call to check on the work. If possible, go by and visit earlier jobs.3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.4. Be sure that the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change ord...

Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.1. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.2. How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can ind...

1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you'd like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable c...

Although a new survey conducted by the Consumer Federation of America and Providian Financial concludes that American consumers understand credit scores better than ever before, most credit consumers are still unaware of the basic facts about credit scores and their financial importance.For insta...

The days of providing a quick service and getting a big paycheck are gone. For the Realtor, the biggest expense and effort is finding a client. Once that is done it then is a easier process to make the deal work.There are many new factors in today's Real Estate deal. Many competitors are dealing ...

Realtors Can Help You Find A JobWant to move but need employment first? Perhaps you have a job but your spouse needs employment to suppliment the income and you cannot relocate until employment is secured. Check with your neighborhood Realtor. Remember, a Realtor is an expert broker. They connect...