Advice

This blog is written to bring to your attention some often-problematic issues with selling/buying a house, specifically existing leases.

SOLAR AND SECURITY LEASES:

Did you realize there are leases that can create issues during the purchase and sale of a house?  These can include the solar system leases, and less thought of, the security system leases.  Pre-existing leases should always be disclosed in a property disclosure by the seller, and need to be dealt with in order to prevent delayed closings and even potentially failed transactions.  When a lease exists, there are some options:

1- the seller can try to terminate the lease early and potentially pay any penalties involved, as well as have the system removed prior to closing, ideally prior to

Whether you are a first-time buyer, or looking to upgrade, buying a home is an exciting time. But, before you download all those home buying apps and start imagining yourself in each beautiful home you see, read these tips to streamline your mortgage process.

1.      Choose A Reliable Mortgage Lender

There are so many options when you are looking for a mortgage loan, from big banks and finance companies, to local banks and credit union.  There are several advantages to choosing to finance with a credit union over your other options.

•        You can save money. Credit Unions will typically offer the lowest rates, which can save you a ton of money over the life of your loan.  They may also offer lower closing costs than you would find at a big

To manage your biggest asset, create a financial plan that covers repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes.

Do you pay each home-related expense as it comes? If so, you’re missing opportunities for upgrades, or much worse, heading into a financial crisis when a slew of surprise maintenance items hit. So take a holistic look at what it costs to operate your house and set up a home financial plan.

Use our home financial plan budget worksheet, and start by writing a list of expenses, such as:

• Mortgage
• Taxes
• Home insurance, including liability
• Repairs and maintenance, such as new furnace, roof, painting
• Voluntary upgrades, such as a swimming pool, a premium range, a new powder room

• With this newfound grip on your home’s

Thinking of selling your home and worried you’ll regret it? Here’s how to cope.

Selling your house can be scary: It's been your home, where you've lived and made memories. Chances are good it's your most important asset and your biggest investment so far. Wrestling with the emotional heft of putting your home on the market is a difficult byproduct of real estate -- but once a closing date has been set, the hard work is done. Right?

Actually, it's not uncommon for sellers to feel pangs of regret when a buyer gets serious. If you're feeling remorse for your soon-to-be-former home, don't panic: You're far from alone.

“When you're selling a house, you're not selling an object," says Bill Primavera, a REALTOR® in Westchester County, N.Y., and

Real estate negotiation tips so you can buy your dream home — and not overpay.

You've looked at enough houses to fill an entire season of House Hunters and finally picked one to buy. Now you're ready to make an offer.

Your agent can help guide you through this nail-biting phase of negotiating a house price, but ultimately, you call the shots. Here's how to negotiate like a boss.

Fail #1: Thinking House Price is All That Matters

That house with a price point $15k below your budget? It may seem like a deal — until you add on the costs of maintenance and replacing the aging appliances.

Planning on repainting, remodeling, or landscaping, too? Suddenly the price looks a whole lot higher.

When developing your offer, calculate in the costs that

Telltale signs you’re flubbing homeowner maintenance, like parking on grass.

Image: HouseLogic

You've closed on your first home. You got your keys. You got your rose-colored glasses. When you're a new homeowner, excitement, optimism, and simply not-knowing-what you-don't-know can make you look right past big problems in plain sight.

Discover some advice for new homeowners with this illustration of a home that has nine maintenance problems. Can you spot all nine?

See full set of answers here: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/advice-new-homeowners/

Source: "Spot the 9 Problems With This House (Advice for New Homeowners)"

Painting your home is a wise investment in time (if you DIY) and money. Here’s how much it’ll cost you.

There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint to boost curb appeal and make an entire home feel fresh. But exactly how much does it cost to paint a house? 

Here's everything you need to know about the costs of painting your home’s exterior and interior.

Average Cost to Paint a House

House-painting costs can vary significantly depending on your home's square footage, where you live, and who is crunching the numbers.

But the pros at the trade organization Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) can make a pretty good estimate. These are their ballpark figures for the average cost to paint a house, including labor and materials.

Public Improvement Districts (PIDS)

Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) are created to help developers finance infrastructure in new communities such as roads, parks and other amenities.

Bonds are sold to finance these improvements and property owners are each assessed a portion of the bonds. This assessment is added to an owner's property tax bill and paid off over time.

New Mexico state law requires that sellers of homes within PIDS disclose certain information to the buyer before accepting offers. There are currently 11 PIDs in the Greater Albuquerque Area.

Selling your first house is a big deal. Learn how to sell a house and navigate the process, from setting a price to closing the deal.

Hire an Agent

Yes, you need an agent. Selling a house involves some strategy and know-how. An agent knows how to sell your house. He or she will help you set a price, market it, and make repairs, guiding you through the inspection, negotiating with buyers, and helping you navigate the closing.  

They'll also help you plan your timeline, and a really good one will help you through the emotional parts of selling a home you've loved.

Find the right agent by interviewing the ones -- at least three — you learned about through research and recommendations. Go with one who knows the specific ins and outs of your

What to look for when buying a house — and what not to do.

The only thing more exciting than shopping for your first house is the day you move into it. And in your eagerness to get to that day, there are a bunch of opportunities to botch the shopping.

Here are some #facepalm moments and the house-hunting tips you'll need to avoid them.

"I Saw the House Online. It's Perfect — Let's Make an Offer Before It's Gone!"

Buying a house sight unseen?!? Whoa. Online photos are a fun sneak peek — and that's all.

Before you plan marriage after the house equivalent of swiping right, consider this:

• It's the photos that aren't in the gallery you should worry about. You won't see the hastily patched cracks in the home's foundation. Or the mold in