Laurie's Blog

What You'll Need to Get your Mortgage ApprovedGetting a mortgage home loan might seem like a difficult process, but if you're ready, you can increase your chances for the best interest rates. Most financial institutions will ask for of the following documents in considering your request for a mor...

Interest rates on prime conforming loans fell across the board in the past week, with rates on 30-year fixed mortgages averaging 0.15 percentage points below the previous week's level. The drop in mortgage rates may give some relief to borrowers who are looking to refinance or purchase a home.The...

Home warranties provide protection to the seller, during the listing period and for one year , to the buyer, following the sale of the home. Home warranties range in cost, but are typically under $500 for coverage and offfer valuable protection on major systems and appliances including, home heat...

Some of the mortgage advertisements appearing in Web sites, newspapers, direct mail and unsolicited e-mail may be violating federal law. The Federal Trade Commission is to send warning letters to more than 200 advertisers and media outlets informing them of the possible violations. The letters be...

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) sent a joint letter to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary on August 8, 2007, encouraging HUD to undertake reform of the Good Faith Estimate under Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). The letter, co-signed by Center for Responsible Le...

Good Questions Buyers May Not Think to AskFirst-time home buyers have a lot to think about, and sometimes they don't consider all of the factors that will impact their enjoyment of their new home.               For pet owners: How welcome and comfortable will my pet be in this home? Are there any...

Maybe you've been feeling the need for more space, less space, or just different space. You've been wondering-which solution will give me what I want with the least financial hit? Here's one gauge to use: Expect moving to cost about 10% of your home's current value. If your remodel project can be...

Why Get a REALTOR?Buying and selling real estate is a complicated matter. At first it might seem that by checking local books, newspapers or online sites you could quickly find the right home at the right price.But a basic rule in real estate is that all properties are unique. Homes differ and so...

Here is a subject that REALTORS have to sometimes address:If your home is on the market, Use your nose. Many people are oblivious to scents, but others are extremely sensitive to offensive odors. To eliminate bad smells, do the following* bathe your pets* freshen the cat litter box frequently* sh...

Is your House Ready?The house that Sparkles will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even if both are well-maintained. A well-polished house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a cared for home because if what...