Dreaming of buying a home in Bowie, Maryland? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading to your forever home, understanding your budget and planning ahead can make all the difference. Here’s a quick, smart guide to help you get started with confidence.💵 Know Your Numbers: Set a Realistic BudgetStart by evaluating your monthly income, debts, and expenses. A common rule of thumb is to keep housing costs within 28–30% of your gross monthly income. This includes your mortgage, taxes, insurance, and HOA (if applicable). Staying within this range helps ensure long-term affordability.🏦 Get Pre-Approved EarlyBefore falling in love with a home, talk to a lender and get pre-approved. Not only does this clarify your price range, but it also makes your offer stronger and more competitive when ... 07/07/2025

 Zestimates are not accurate. Go to www.DMVHOMEVALUESNOW.COM instead  Attention DMV Homeowners: Are you relying on ZEstimates to gauge your home's value? While they provide a rough estimate, ZEstimates often miss the mark. It is even stated at the bottom of the page  Here’s why getting a seller home valuation from a site like www.DMVHOMEVALUESNOW.COM is your best bet:Why ZEstimates Could Mislead You: Automated Algorithms: ZEstimates use generic algorithms that don’t consider your home’s unique features. Outdated Data: They rely on public records that may not be up-to-date, leading to inaccuracies. Market Changes: ZEstimates might not reflect the latest market trends and specific conditions in your neighborhood.  The Advantage of a Professional Home Evaluation site like DMVHOMEVALUESNOW.... 12/30/2024

What you can expect for closing costs when buying your new house🏡? Closing costs can vary depending on your location and the type of property you're buying, but they typically range from 2% to 5-6% of the home's purchase price. Some common expenses include: 👇 👇▶︎ fees for the loan application▶︎ home appraisal▶︎ title search▶︎ title insurance▶︎ attorney feesIt's important to get an estimate of your closing costs from your lender or real estate agent early in the home buying process. If you need advice on how to prepare for closing costs,Book a real estate consultation with me today, we have ways to make this a little easier. 🌟🏠💬 #ClosingCosts #Sellyourhome #Sellingtips #realestate #DMVRealtor #Titlecompany #DMVloanofficers  #pgcountymdhousesforsale #dmvrealestateagent 08/26/2024

Five questions to ask about your home owners insurance policyOne thing you must have once you have brought your house is HOME OWNER'S INSURANCE POLICY.  So you are getting ready to buy homeowners insurance, but you are confused. Why wouldn't you be? If you are a first time home buyer,you are probably confused on what questions to ask or what to look for.  Well, you're in luck! I've put together 5️⃣ crucial questions you should ask before you sign that dotted line on your new homeowners insurance policy. Let's dive in! ⬇️Does the policy cover replacement cost or actual cash value? Replacement cost policies pay the cost to repair or replace your home up to the policy's limits, while actual cash value policies consider depreciation. 🏚️➡️🏠How much homeowners insurance do I need? You should ... 08/26/2024

Does your integrity matters as a Real Estate Professional?                   Whenever someone is purchasing and/or Selling a house in this current local real estate market,the role of integrity that a real estate professional plays cannot be overstated in the Real Estate Business. Here's why it's crucial to prioritize working with a real estate professional who values honesty and transparency.🌟 1️⃣ Trustworthy Advice: A real estate professional with integrity will always provide you with sound real estate advice. A local real estate professional will prioritize your best wants, interests and needs even if it means guiding you away from a potential sale or suggesting a house at a lower price. 2️⃣ Accurate Information: Integrity ensures that you receive accurate and reliable information a... 08/18/2024

Decluttering your home. Seller tip for homeowners.A small tip that can make a BIG difference in selling your home is: DE-CLUTTERING! While our homes are often filled with cherished possessions, memories and everyday items, to potential homebuyers, these can often look like clutter.🏡📦🔑Here's why de-cluttering is so important:1️⃣Spacious impressions: A clutter-free home appears large and more appealing. Home buyers love space! 2️⃣Let Your Home Shine: De-cluttering helps highlight your home's features, like architectural details or high-quality appliances.  3️⃣Easy to Envision: When home buyers see a clean, tidy space,it's easier for them to imagine their own belongings in the home and envision themselves living there. 4️⃣Stress-Free Moving: Starting the de-cluttering process now will make... 08/14/2024

Sometimes you need more space. Get more Square footage!🏠💫 Thinking of an upgrade? It's a big decision that depends on several factors unique to you! Here are a few signs it might be time to level up your living situation: 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Space Constraints: Is your family growing or changing? Need more rooms or a bigger yard? Your current home might not be fitting your needs anymore. 🛠️ Home Maintenance: If your repair costs are mounting, especially for big-ticket items like roofs or electrical systems, it might be cheaper and easier to move. 🏘️ Changing Neighborhood: If your community is changing and not for the better, it's probably time to start scouting new locations. Click on this link to Set up an appointment today with your Local DMV Real Estate Professional to start looking at houses 🏠 L... 08/13/2024

Clear to close-You have met all the requirements to close on your home.                                    🔑🏠 "Clear to Close" is the golden phrase every homebuyer longs to hear. It means that you have met all the lender's conditions, all necessary documents have been reviewed, and your loan is ready to be finalized. Essentially, it's the green light that leads to the closing table where you'll sign the papers to officially become a homeowner. 🟢🎉Remember, even though you're "Clear to Close", it doesn't mean you should make any major financial changes before the actual closing day. Please read this article Can a loan fall through after "clear to close"?-True or False  Continue to avoid large purchases, new debts, and changing jobs until the keys are in your hands.As always, if you have a... 08/12/2024

Will a Mortgage lender check your credit after "Clear to close?" The answer is YES. Did you know that even after receiving a "Clear to Close" from your mortgage lender, your financial status isn't completely off the hook just yet? 🚨Lenders often do a final credit check right before closing to ensure that your financial situation remains steady. A significant change in your credit status (like a big purchase or a new debt) could throw a wrench in your plans. This is why we always tell our clients don't go out and buy new furniture until AFTER you have closed on your new house.  I had a situation like this happen in 2021 (I represented the seller) where we had the happen.  But the good thing was four months later, that the loan officer was able to close that loan.(I have to reach out to t... 08/09/2024

Can Curb Appeal help your house sell?The first impression that a first-time home buyer have of your home is everything. And enhancing the exterior charm of your home can make a significant difference. Here's why curb appeal matters and how it can help you Sell your house in the DMV Area 🏡🔑1️⃣ Make sure you grab the home buyers attention and create interest: Curb appeal  is your home's visual invitation to potential first time home buyers. A well maintained exterior with appealing landscaping, fresh paint, and a welcoming entrance captures attention  and creates a positive first impression with home buyers.🌹🚪2️⃣ Set the Stage for a Positive Experience: When home buyers approach a home with high curb appeal, they enter the house with a positive mindset.  A well-manicured lawn, tidy walkwa... 08/05/2024

Pricing Strategy: Asking price vs Market Value   🔑🏡By driving competition among home buyers, you can end up potentially boost the final price of your home when you list it for sale. The secret is to offer the most value on the local real estate market, enticing multiple offers, and sparking a bidding war. This is much more effective than starting high and having home buyers negotiate downwards. Critical to this strategy is pricing your home accurately from the start. We achieve this by examining real transactions involving properties similar to yours. This comprehensive market analysis guides our home price recommendation, ensuring that your home is positioned optimally in the market. Why aim for a single offer when you could set the stage for an auction? Let's transform your selling st... 08/01/2024

4 Top Things to do when buying a house in the DMVIf you are considering buying a house in the DMV(District of Columbia,Maryland and Virginia)it's essential to approach the process with confidence and careful planning.🏡🏒 1. Know your price range: Before you begin your DMV Home Search,it's crucial to understand your financial capabilities and determine your price range. Take a close look at your budget,consult with a lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage. 💰💼 2. Don't take too much time: Buying a home is a significant decision. While you don't want to rush the process,you don't want to take too much time either. You are also competing against home buyers who are in the market to buy the house that you have interest in.  With lack of supply and high demand from motivated and financial ... 07/22/2024

Can a loan fall through after "Clear to Close?" TRUE OR FALSEEver wonder what "Clear to Close" means in your home buying journey? It's an important milestone, stating that you've met all of the loan approval conditions. But, did you know your home loan can still fall through even after this point? It's rare but it can happen due to a few reasons.💼📈 Major changes in your financial circumstances,like a job loss during the home buying process or new debts,can cause your lender to reassess the situation.💳🔍 Some lenders run a last-minute credit check before closing. If your creditworthiness has dramatically changed,it could affect the loan.🏠🌪 If the home is significantly damaged (and uninsured)before closing,your lender may back out of the deal.📜💰Title issues or liens on the property discove... 07/18/2024

House Flipping: What does it involve? Many Real Estate Investors,wholesalers and home buyers think that house\flipping is more than just buying a property and selling it for a profit. House flipping is about transforming a house and creating a space that someone would love to call a home. Here is a rundown of what it involves!🏡1. Do your Homework: This is the one I feel is the most imperative thing that you must do before you purchase a house that you intend to flip. It is very imperative to understand the local real estate market. A DMV real estate agent like myself can help you with by showing you some comparative property along with recent sales in a neighborhood or area to help you with making your decision. Look for neighborhoods on the rise or with good school and amenties. There ... 07/15/2024

Just Sold - 15105 Peregrine Ct, Bowie, MD 20721If there was ever a lesson to be learned from the sale of a home, this one certainly provided many lessons.I always say "it ain't over until the fat lady sings, and I haven't even begun to warm up yet".  The buyer came to me through floor duty or opportunity time.  They called about this home and they said they were preapproved for a loan.  I met them at the home and they loved it.  This was their forever dream home.  The original lender was one I had worked with before but wasn't confident in their ability to close the transaction and my buyers were competing with other prospective buyers.  Our in-house lender couldn't get them approved, my regular lender for unusual sources of income couldn't get them closed and the original lender would ... 01/28/2023

Dear Bowie MD Homeowners, I am offering an exciting NEW SERVICE when you register on my Home Valuation site when you click on this link How much is your current Bowie MD House worth? that will efficiently be sending you invaluable information about your home at no cost. The new report will be sent to you on a month basis  Even, if you’re not in the market to buy or sell, it’s always important to understand the wealth you have in your home. This unique monthly report will provide you with information that I feel will provide you relevant information regarding your home and the market. Below please find highlighted some of the features of the report:  Monthly updates will be sent to you automatically Three independent home values will be provided (accredited Automated Valuation Models)... 01/04/2023

Just SOLD in Belair at Bowie. Classic 1960s Cape Cod on Rockledge Drive has happy new owners. There's just something very special about a home that comes with some original detail and retains a flair of yesteryear that's impossible to replicate. It turns a home into a storybook. This classic William Levitt built Cape Cod had just that plus timeless and modern upgrades and a fabulous flat backyard that attracted all the buyers. 45 showings in just 4 days on the market resulted in multiple offers and a SOLD price 32K above asking. It was a charmer and a hot one! I wholeheartedly believe that the perfect buyers scored this home. Their offer wasn't the highest, but it was the best. There is a difference! We learned at the settlement table that the buyers "almost didn't bother" because they ... 03/28/2022

This classic 1960s Cape Cod is in Bowie's "R" section and the post-war era subdivision  of Belair at Bowie. Belair at Bowie was built by NYC developer William Levitt, "America's biggest builder of single-family homes" (as reported by the Post in 1960). These homes were built on former plantation and horse farm land, and centered around the Belair Mansion. Unusual at the time, they were constructed on concrete slab and "basementless" but offered "all the extras you'll need for comfortable living: appliances, central air conditioning, electrical fixtures, painting, landscaping, garages, driveways, built-in TV FM antennas..." (www.boundarystones.weta.org)This classic Cape Cod comes with all of the above (well, except for the antenna), PLUS a new A/C, new flooring throughout, new granite co... 02/25/2022

Looking for a house that you can totally transform and make it your own? Look no further.. Check out this 5 bedroom 4 bathroom house for sale in Bowie MD https://ernalrealestate.com/homes/11701-trillum-st-bowie-md-20721/60441174/criteria/s_2/pm_400000/cids_19112/…  Call or text Lanre Folayan-Real Estate Extraordinaire at 202-378-0283 to schedule a showing of 11701 Trillum St Bowie MD 20721 And check out my new website at www.ernalrealestate.com to view more houses for sale in Washington DC,Maryland and Virginia.#pgcountymd #pgcountyrealestate #pgcountyhouse #Pgcountymdhouseforsale #bowiemd #bowie #bowiemdhouseforsale #11701TrillumSt #BowieMDHouseforsale20721  Listing courtesy of Long and Foster  /status/1363516328339009540 03/15/2021

This is a snapshot of recent sales in the Longleaf neighborhood of Bowie, MD. Real estate market data and analysis is provided by Peggy Yee, Realtor. Click here to sign up for my free monthly real estate market update.Highest and Lowest Sold Longleaf Home ValuesIn the past 6 months, 5 properties have sold in Longleaf ranging from a 4-bed, 4-bath Detached for $500,000 to a 4-bed, 3-bath, and 1-half bath Detached for $596,000.Longleaf Neighborhood Real Estate Market ActivityThese market activity gauges show the market trends for the previous month as compared to the 5-year average of the current month. In December 1 homes sold in Longleaf. The average sold price was $512,000 and the average days on market was 28 days.  Sell Your Home in 72 Hours for Thousands More Than Traditional Real Es... 02/25/2020