It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of house hunting, but you also need to keep your eyes open for warning signs that the home you’re considering might not be a safe, sound, dependable dwelling.
Thankfully, you can easily spot major red flags. You just have to know what to look for, have the right people on your side (hello, structural engineer, home inspector, real estate agents, and your trusted licensed pest inspector!), and go into your purchase with your eyes wide open.
Sometimes, we get by with a little help from our friends…or family.
There are many reasons someone may need help to qualify for a mortgage. They may just be starting out and haven’t established a good credit history yet. Or perhaps they’re just getting out of a tough financial situation that they’re turning around.
Most people understand that owning real estate can be a great investment. What they may not realize is that this investment can begin to pay off while you still own the home!
Tuition, books, transportation, room and board…the cost of college adds up fast. At first glance, then, it may seem crazy to consider buying a home for a college student, but is it?
A debt consolidation refinance may let you kill two birds with one stone. It can allow you to achieve a lower interest rate on your debt while streamlining all your monthly payments into one. You’ll essentially consolidate debt obligations and roll them into your mortgage, but at a much lower interest rate. The result is a single payment at a lower interest rate: your monthly mortgage payment.
Investing in real estate can be an amazing experience—and a great way to earn passive income while someone else (or a bunch of other people) pays your monthly mortgage. Home-share platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and other vacation rental websites have made it even easier for those who want to market their investment properties as short-term rental property.
The American dream is not one size fits all. Some borrowers want to purchase a second home where their family can vacation for part of the year. Buying property as a second home could mean a cabin in the mountains, a beachside bungalow, or anything in between.
Whether you're a first-time or move-up home buyer, you may be considering postponing a purchase if your area's affected by climbing home prices. Or you may be balking at today's mortgage interest rates (more about those later in this newsletter).
Buying an investment property can be one of the keys to financial freedom and generational wealth. Whether you want to enjoy rental income, tax benefits, or both, owning an investment property can help you achieve your long-term goals in less time.
You own your primary residence, but you’re thinking about buying a second home. Congrats! Being in a financial position to make that kind of real estate investment is a major accomplishment, and you should be proud of that.
The 4th of July is coming up, celebrating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Are you looking for fun, unique activities for your Independence Day celebration this year?
You know all about fireworks shows and barbecues, so we won’t waste your time with those—but more power to you if you plan to partake! If you’re looking for even more ways to celebrate freedom while embracing the historic nature of this federal holiday, we’ve got you covered.
It’s beginning to look a lot like…vacation time! The skies are blue, the flowers are in full bloom, and summer is before us.
Not everyone comes from money, but there are decisions you can make today to set up future generations for long-term success. And by long-term success, we mean a true financial legacy. One of the easiest ways for the average person to do this is through real estate.
The benefits of homeownership involve more than simply putting a roof over your head. The goal of buying a house will be less meaningful until you understand the true value behind this investment. It isn’t simply to achieve the “American dream”!
Spring has sprung, and so have home prices in many areas. A drop in the number of homes for sale has fueled a new round of bidding wars in some regions, and more homes are selling for above their asking prices, even with higher mortgage rates. Homes are selling faster, too, with almost 50% of homes selling within two weeks.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time for recognizing their significant contributions to the history, culture, and achievements in the United States. (Go here to learn more.)
At APM, we wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about our APM Family and what their history, culture, and heritage means to them.
We know buying a home can be intimidating. There are so many variables that can go into this big decision. Then there’s what you think you know—and what others think they know. A lot of this information can come from secondhand sources or even “expert” opinions you see on TV or on the internet. These opinions aren’t always wrong, but what they don’t take into account is your specific situation—or the fact that you have APM on your side.
Since hitting a peak in June 2022, home prices have fallen by 3% to 5% on average. While this is the second-biggest home price correction since the 1950s, it's still mild when compared to the 26% drop in prices between 2007 and 2012.
