Home Buying Tips Archives

Fantasy or Reality? Setting Reasonable Expectations for Buying Your First Home

Mar 29 2019

Dreaming of owning a home is great but setting realistic expectations can help make the process that much easier. A lot happens from the day you decide to buy a new home to... »
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How Pre-approval Can Help You Secure Your Ideal Home

Mar 29 2019

Homebridge

In a competitive homebuying market, sellers want to sell their homes quickly to someone who will be able to buy it with no issues. A pre-approval letter is an official document explaining the... »
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The Difference Between Pre-qualification and Pre-approval

Mar 29 2019

Homebridge

The terms “pre-approval” and “pre-qualification” have likely come up while doing your research as a homebuyer. Understanding the differences between the two well set you up for success down your path to homeownership. Pre-qualification:... »
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Can I Afford to Buy a New Home?

Mar 29 2019

Homebridge

You’ve always dreamt of owning your own home. You’ve thought about it, imagined it, and now you’re seriously considering it. At this point, you may have started to research homebuying and there’s a... »
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What is a Mortgage? Why Do I Need One?

Mar 29 2019

Homebridge

As a first-time homebuyer, you may find yourself overwhelmed by all the things you need to know when buying a home. That’s where Homebridge comes in. We’re on a mission to make the homebuying... »
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Welcome to Homebuying 101: Beginning Your New Adventure

Mar 29 2019

Homebridge

Each year, thousands of people make the decision to purchase their first home. What often is seen as a daunting, complex process, is one your Homebridge team excels in. You see, we help... »
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203K Loans For Multi Units

Aug 31 2017

Homebridge

For some buyers, they may want to purchase a multi-family residence so that they may have renters pay for some of their mortgage. Some possible problems to this scenario may be renovation costs... »
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11 Poisonous Plants in Home Gardens

Jul 27 2017

Homebridge

There's no denying their beauty, but if these plants are ingested, or in some cases merely touched, reactions can range from discomfort to death. It pays to know these potentially poisonous plants, so... »
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10 Ways to Save for a Down Payment

Jul 21 2017

Homebridge

10 Ways to Save for a Down Payment Many potential homebuyers lack the savings for the minimum down payment needed to purchase a home. While some mortgage options require a small or even no... »
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J.D. Power Survey Shows Many Home Buyers Unhappy With Their Mortgage Lender

Jul 14 2017

Homebridge

The purchase of a home is most likely the largest financial decision many people will ever make. Because of this, the HomeBridge team takes being your partner in home buying very seriously. According to... »
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Extraordinary Closing Costs for Extraordinary People With Homes For Heroes

Jun 30 2017

Homebridge

HomeBridge Financial Services and The Jamie Zeitz Team’s mission is to provide extraordinary savings to heroes who provide extraordinary services to our nation and our communities every day! Homes for Heroes, Inc. is the largest... »
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How Can I Afford To Pay For The Repairs And Upgrades To The Home I’m Buying?

Jun 8 2017

Homebridge

A recent success story from Jennifer C. a new raving fan of The Jamie Zeitz Team at HomeBridge Financial Services! Jennifer, a new home buyer, started her search in a challenging inventory market and wondered... »
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Getting a Home Mortgage with Credit Issues

May 3 2017

Homebridge

So, you are thinking about buying a home and are concerned that your credit may hold you back from your dream of home ownership. Well you are not alone; the number one reason... »
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The Right Pro for the Job

Mar 21 2017

Homebridge

Whether buying a fixer-upper or updating their home to sell, clients may be interested in home renovations. If it's their first renovation-rodeo, give them some guidance on where to start when hiring a... »
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MortgageSMART

Mar 6 2017

Homebridge

The Five Stages of Grief – don’t have to be your experience in choosing a Home Mortgage. Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.” Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?” Bargaining: “Make this not happen - in... »
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Beware! The HERO Program Can Affect a VA Home Loan And The Sale Of Your Home

Jan 26 2017

Homebridge

What is the Hero Program? HERO stands for Home Energy Renovation Opportunity. This is a program that provides financing for any energy improvements made to your house such as solar, windows, plumbing, etc. This... »
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FHA Reducing Annual Insurance Premiums

Jan 9 2017

Homebridge

As the nation’s housing market continues to improve, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro announced today the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will reduce the annual premiums most borrowers will pay by... »
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The FHA 203(k) Loan: Your Secret Weapon

Oct 21 2016

Homebridge

The FHA 203(k) is an often overlooked option when it comes to mortgage financing. This is a mortgage loan that allows you to purchase a home and finance in the renovation costs at... »
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Home Buying Secrets – Off-Season Home Shopping

Oct 19 2016

Homebridge

While spring and summer are traditionally the times when people look to buy a home, there are many reasons why some buyers don’t begin their search until the warm weather subsides and the leaves... »
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Don’t Let Colder Temps Cause Your Home Ownership Dreams To Hibernate

Oct 12 2016

Homebridge

Historically, summer is the time when most people are looking to buy and sell real estate. As you may have heard, there was an unexpected and significant drop in rates this summer, which was... »
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Six Ways to Foil Hackers, Phishers and Pushy Marketers

Oct 10 2016

Homebridge

Update software. The latest computer, smartphone and apps software is the most secure. Update now and choose ‘Update Automatically’ in Settings. Update your WiFi router on its app or Web setup page. Strengthen passwords. Make them... »
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Five Money Saving Tips for Future Home Buyers

Sep 30 2016

Homebridge

Many potential buyers are shocked to find out that they actually will save money by purchasing a home versus renting one from someone else. In addition to building equity, there are multiple tax... »
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How to Get Your Dream Home with the FNMA HomeStyle Loan!

Sep 22 2016

Homebridge

How to Get Your Dream Home with the FNMA HomeStyle Loan! Have you ever walked into home and said, “This house is perfect except…?” You may love the school district, the location, the size... »
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Millennials And Mortgages: Fixer Upper Loans Are The Housing Industry’s Best Kept Secret

Aug 31 2016

Homebridge

When it comes to the mortgage needs of millennials, regardless of where they live, one of the things our associates consistently hear is that many of these first-time buyers are having a hard... »
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Don’t Let Rising Prices Sink Your Home Ownership Dreams

Jul 28 2016

Homebridge

Many experts are predicting home prices will rise over the next year. While that is good news for current homeowners, it is not so good news for renters on the fence about buying their... »
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Military Families, Reservists, and Veterans Could Be Missing Out on Affordable Homes

Jun 14 2016

Homebridge

Homebridge has branches across the country, and while each area we serve has its own unique needs, the one common topic we often see is the difficulty some home buyers have with saving... »
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5 Reasons Your Real Estate Agent Wants You To Be Pre-Approved

Jun 8 2016

Homebridge

When you call your agent for the first time to ask about a home you’re interested in, they’ll probably ask you several questions to get to know you better. The most important question... »
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18 Genius Home Hacks

Mar 22 2016

Homebridge

Rain Gutters as Shelving. Mount pre-painted roof gutters on walls in kids’ rooms to display books and small toys. Marker Caddy. Cover a shoe box in attractive wrapping paper and fill with empty toilet paper rolls... »
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Four Questions For Hesitant Home Buyers

Mar 2 2016

Homebridge

It’s completely normal to have some hesitation when you start thinking about buying a home. The purchase of a home is the largest financial decision most people will ever make and it would... »
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Renovation Lending: Fact or Fiction

Jan 27 2016

Homebridge

Fact or Fiction: My understanding is that renovation loans are only for buyers looking to buy houses in bad shape or properties considered “handyman specials.” FICTION! Although it is true that renovation loans can be... »
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10 Tricks for Great Smartphone Pictures

Jan 19 2016

Homebridge

With 68% of Americans now owning one, the smartphone has become the go-to camera for most people. Here are 10 tips for better smartphone pictures. Steady as she goes. Keep the phone still when shooting.... »
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Take a home inventory now, and be ready if disaster strikes!

Dec 14 2015

Homebridge

Homeowners insurance covers the cost (minus deductible) of repairing or replacing your home if it’s hit with a disaster. It also covers the cost to replace the things in your home that were... »
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Home Buying Tips – Take The ‘Smart’ Out Of Your Smart Phone

Dec 9 2015

Homebridge

Many of us live and die by our smartphones and access to the Internet. We use them for driving directions, to check emails for work, keeping in touch with friends and to purchase... »
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NAR Annual Profile of Home Buyers and Home Sellers: Why is this important to ME and YOU? Pt.1

Nov 16 2015

Homebridge

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has been publishing the results of its annual “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” survey since 1981. I have been following this report since the mid-2000s. So what... »
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The Best Time to Buy 15 Big Ticket Items

Oct 7 2015

Homebridge

Consumers can see big savings by buying high priced items at the right time. Here’s what the shopping experts say... Airline Tickets You’ll get the lowest price for a domestic flight approximately 47 days... »
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Coming Clean On Your Mortgage

Sep 29 2015

Homebridge

Speed is key in today’s real estate market. In many parts of the country, the number of desirable homes for sale is limited. Unlike what happens at your local supermarket, you can’t bet on... »
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Six Financial Benefits of Home Ownership

Sep 1 2015

Homebridge

Beyond owning a great place to live, home ownership has some appealing financial benefits. Home Ownership Builds Wealth. Owning a home can be a very good way to create wealth over the long term. Buy... »
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Research home design trends that are long-lasting, and not just fads

Aug 6 2015

Homebridge

When redecorating or remodeling, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends. Do a little research to see which ones aren’t just fads. Seek out online experts and ask people working... »
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Buying A Home After Bankruptcy

Jul 29 2015

Homebridge

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Even the most financially responsible people can go through tough times, leading them to bankruptcy, a foreclosure or having to go through a short sale of... »
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Home Buying Lessons From The Property Brothers!

Jul 8 2015

Homebridge

While reality television sometimes lacks in the reality department, the HomeBridge team happens to be big fans of the Property Brothers on HGTV. Wondering why? The problems people face on the Property Brothers are actually very common in... »
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