Architectural treasures and real estate for sale in the city of Pasadena, California.
A question we received: We are looking for a builder who has a lovely model we would love. Are there any differences in getting financing to build a home versus buying an existing home? Yes, there are some differences but the process shouldn’t be too painful. New home construction is financed in three key ways: […]
If you are selling or refinancing, the lender will have your home appraised. It’s different from a home inspection. A home inspector is primarily preoccupied with the internal workings of a home and looks for current problems or things that could become a problem. An appraiser is trying to determine the value of your home, comparing it […]
The rate on a mortgage loan is often the most significant factor in how much an owner will ultimately pay for their home. Monetary policy, market inflation, and the overall economy all play a part in determining when it rises and falls. Currently, the United States is experiencing remarkably low rates by historical standards, below […]
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a small, self-contained residential unit located on the same lot as an existing single-family home. An ADU has all the basic facilities needed for day-to-day living independent of the main home, such as a kitchen, sleeping area, and a bathroom. As the term “accessory” implies, ADUs are generally defined to […]
The terms of my new mortgage include a ‘due on sale’ clause. My broker says this is an acceleration clause. But I thought acceleration clauses were about foreclosure. What is going on? Don’t worry! ‘Due on Sale’ clauses are a typical part of a standard mortgage. All it means is that if you sell the house, […]
Selling a house has hidden costs, but planning ahead can eliminate last minute worries. Basic projects with professional help average around $ 4,985 Nationwide. They include: Painting Staging your home Carpet Cleaning Lawn Care Gardening Local moving costs According to US Today a range of an average high of $6,580 in San Jose and a low […]
If you are a homebuyer looking for a brand-spanking new house, you’re in luck in many parts of the country. The market is now flooded with the most brand-new, single-family houses to hit the market since the Great Recession, according to Realtor.com. The number of these newly-built homes, 795,000, jumped 7.7% from 2016 to 2017, according […]
Despite a wide range of major economic news, it was a very quiet week for mortgage rates last week. The key labor market report, the inflation data, and the Fed meeting caused a little reaction. Mortgage rates ended last week nearly unchanged. The economy added 164,000 jobs in April, below the consensus for an increase of […]
It’s the oldest fix-and-flip pitch in American real estate: “We’ll buy your home, guaranteed, no matter what its condition, and we’ll pay you quick cash with no commissions, and close in seven days or less.” You’ve probably encountered versions of this on TV or elsewhere. The only way such offers make sense is if the […]
Until recently, the secrets of credit score calculation have been very closely guarded. Now you can estimate how your score is put together! The largest part of your credit score “the payment history,” which equates to about 35% of your score. The most important part of this section is making your credit payments ON TIME. But […]