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The entire process of buying a home takes time and patience.  Home buyers are excited and often times a bit overenthusiastic to get into the home of their dreams.  This fanatical excitement can often leave home buyers to sabotage their real estate agents efforts at getting their client a home of their dreams.  When working with a realtor here are some things to be aware of to ensure a smooth home buying process.  Creating a relationship of mutual understanding between realtor and client is essential for buyers to get the home of their dreams.

Are You Guilty of Sabotaging Your New Home Dreams?

One mistake many buyers make is that they care too much about the homes aesthetics.  Professional real estate agents are happy to show you just as many houses as desire until you find the one that is perfect for you.  The problem is that many buyers can only see the beauty as it is and forget that the splendor of any home is more than meets the eye.  Initially, it may be tempting to get caught up in how the house currently looks however a house that is out of date, dirty or in need of some small handyman repairs buyers are often tempted to run and continue their search elsewhere.

Buyers should consider this instead:

The cost of improvements that need to be done to the home can be negotiated into the closing deal.  It can even be set up that the minor fixes that you would like to see done can be included in the details of the contract.

Another common mistake is that buyers often show their hand and give away any ability to negotiate.  Your comfort with your real estate agent is crucial however don’t let it get in the way of making the best deal possible with the seller.  It has happened before; many buyers start talking a bit too much when looking at homes and sellers overhear their criticisms.  When this occurs it could hurt the entire negotiation process.

When you find the home you love don’t make the mistake of waiting too long to put an offer on the table.  In a competitive real estate market there isn’t a lot of time to wait to make an offer.   Nothing drives a real estate agent nuttier than knowing they have found their buyer the perfect home and yet they aren’t ready to commit.  If you find a home you are in love with put an offer in, get the negotiation process started and begin planning for your future.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that buying a home is all about money.  Yes a large offer looks appealing but a lower offer with few contingencies and the perfect timing can appear even more tempting.

It is important to listen to your real estate agent throughout the entire process.  When you discuss with them what you want and need they are listening to you.  They are the professionals and this is what you are paying them for.  Be sure to put your faith in them, take to heart their advice and allow them to guide you down the path to homeownership.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

Spring time in the north is one of the greatest times.  The landscapes are turning from brown to green, color is coming back to the skies, softball starts and home buyers eagerly start to look for a home to purchase.   There is no doubt about it; spring is the most popular real estate season.  No matter if you are looking to purchase or sell a home now is the perfect time to forge full speed ahead.  Below are some tips to assist buyers as they look to gain insight into the spring real estate market.

First things first:  Talk with a Mortgage Broker

Before you even begin to look at homes are meet with a real estate agent talk with a mortgage broker.  You must be able to secure a home loan to buy a home.  Sellers are looking for buyers who are preapproved.   Sellers do not want to waste time accepting offers from buyers who will not be able to secure a mortgage.  A pre-approval is valuable because it shows that the buyer will be able to obtain a home loan as well as a point of reference on how much the buyer can afford.  A pre-approval means that you are a serious buyer.  If a seller needs to choose who to enter into a contract with they will always go with the buyer that has already secured financial backing in the form of a pre-approval.

Secondly: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Finding a real estate agent is the next step in looking to purchase a home in the spring.   Get referrals from family, friends and individuals who have recently purchased a home.  After you get several names and numbers start by calling their office to schedule an appointment to meet to discuss what you are looking for, how much you have to spend and the needs verse the wants in the home you are looking to purchase.

It is critical when interviewing real estate agents you find someone that is not only experienced in local real estate but also one that is available to communicate with you in a productive manner.  Buying a home is the biggest financial decision in your life; you will want a partner to help you find a home that is in it for you and not just for the commission.

Check out the Neighborhood

Take time to look into neighborhoods that your real estate agent thinks best fit what you are looking for.  Drive by the area, check out the schools and such before ever stepping foot into a home.  Find several locations that you are interested in to help narrow down the search.  The last thing you want to do is spend day after day walking through home after home especially in areas that are of little appeal to you.  If you don’t love the neighborhood falling in love with the house does very little in getting you to the finish line and purchasing a home.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

Below you will find multiple tips from local realtors to increase the chances that your home will stand out amongst the competition within the spring-time real estate market:

Professional Inspection

It is important that sellers have their homes inspected prior to putting their homes on the market.  Waiting until the end when the buyer has the home inspected often leads to surprises.  To avoid these unwanted revelations have a professional inspection company out to inspect the home.  Pay special attention to the homes foundations, structural soundness and roofing.

New Life To The Home’s Exterior

• Purchase New Outdoor Entry Door Mats: New outdoor mats refresh the entry space.
• Power Wash Siding: Spring cleaning should not be kept only to the interior of the home. Power wash the siding to take off dirt, debris and mildew that can build up in areas of the home where light does not shine.
• Freshen Up Exterior Door Paint: Fresh paint really livens up the front door which is the face of the home. Dramatic colors when used in conjunction with complementary siding can really change the look of the home.  Paint draws attention to the refreshed space attracting buyers to the curb appeal of your home.

Prepare The Landscape

• Rake the Yard: The lawn must be in tip top shape. To ensure that loose grass, pine needles, leaves and lawn debris is not present the lawn should be raked.  The remains should be picked up and disposed of in paper recycling lawn bags.
• Trim Bushes: Trim bushes and cut overgrown trees. This will clean up the area and make it look fresh.  Tree limbs that are overgrown block the light on the home so removing them will allow the sun back into the yard.  Openness and light appeals to buyers.
• Mow Regularly: Having the lawn freshly mowed will come across as manicured and professional. This will also give the curb appeal a boost.
• Edge Sidewalks and Walkways: Clean, pristine walkways show buyers that the home was kept up on and well maintained.
• Add Color: Include color in the landscaping. Plant bright landscaping and arrange scented, colorful containers filled with flowering plants to bring lively, vibrant colors to the exterior.

Thorough Spring Cleaning

• Clean Drapery and Blinds: Window covering should be sent out to the cleaners. They will come back fresh and pressed.  Blinds should be professionally cleaned to get rid of the dirt that has built up over time.  Spider webs that cover blinds are not becoming to sellers.
• Wash Windows Inside and Out: Sparkling windows don’t cost a thing and really add to the overall presentation of the home. Avoid streaks and smudges by cleaning windows inside and out.  Then using a fresh micro-fiber cloth dry wipe the interior and exterior.
• Wipe Window Frames: It may seem mundane but it is so important to clean the window frames and sills thoroughly. Windows should be open to allow in crisp air when buyers are present and the last thing that sells a home is sill scum.
• Polish Floors and Mirrors: Shine and sparkle are appreciated by buyers. It demonstrates how well the home is maintained.
• Clear Clutter: Remove clutter from your home. Take your personality out of the home so that buyers can see themselves in the space.  Remove pictures, eliminate unneeded knick-knacks and purge over abundance as this allows buyers to envision the space as their own.

Add Life To The Home

• Add Fresh Flowers: Clip fresh flowers and display them throughout the home. Use flowers that are fragrant or flowers that buyers can see in the outside landscape around the home.
• Use Electric Oil Scents: Oil scents are a popular, hidden way to include favorable scents into every room in your home. Use scents that appeal to the masses.  Popular scents remain clean linen, fresh cotton, lavender and vanilla.  Light scents over harsh deep scents are preferred by the majority.  Stick with them when including electric oil scents within your home.
• Bring In Colorful Accents: Replace the inexpensive accents in the home to bring color and updates to the interior or the home.  Towels, linens, throw blankets, and accent pillows can be replaced reasonably and the new colors will freshen up the environment.
• Update Rugs: Rugs that are worn out show a lack of cleanliness and maintenance. Rugs are fairly easy to find inexpensively and bring in patterns and colors to neutral paint and drab solid colored furnishings.
• Paint Interior Doors:

Marketing The Home For Sale

• Make Use of Brightly Colored Balloons: Balloons help to create excitement and bring attention to your open house signs.
• Send Out Vibrant Flyers: Marketing materials should be brightly colored. Black and white flyers don’t do the same job that colorful promotional materials do.
• Announce Financing Options: Don’t keep buyers guessing on affordable financing options proudly display them on materials displayed at open houses or that are directly mailed to potential buyers. Many buyers appreciate an estimated monthly mortgage payment to ensure that the home is within their preapproval.
• Offer Bottled Water & Treats: Looking at home after home is exhausting. Buyers will appreciate water and treats while viewing your home.  Personalize them with photos of your home and your realtor’s information.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

One of the most important aspects in selling your home is the staging process.  While staging your home you have the opportunity to freshen up the entire home inside and out.  Spring is the perfect season to help set the stage for selling your home.  When the sunshine is out and the fresh showers are turning everything green there are plenty of chances to stage your home to attract buyers.  Make the most of spring time with these staging revisions that are sure to attract serious buyers.

Spring Shape Up For Your Landscape: To sell your home quickly during the springtime season it is important that the exterior of your home is in shape.  Winter weather brings in some nasty debris that needs to be removed before you put your home on the market.  Spring is not always ideal for planting but if part of sprucing up your landscape is to bring in some color look for plants that are frost-resistant.  Don’t waste money on plants that will be damaged by a late cold spell if it should hit.  Spring growth is a perfect accent for sellers!

Interior Spring Cleaning: The spring season is naturally known for a time to clean.  Cleaning is also the perfect addition to any plan involving selling your home.  Spring cleaning lets your home sparkle and look even more appealing to buyers.  The scent of clean will fill the home, the home will glisten and you will have had an opportunity to go through everything you own getting rid of unnecessary clutter.

Entryway Spring Spruce Up: Pick up a fresh entry mat to make the entry way to your home fresh.  A freshened up entrance will set the tone for your homes showing.  Add some seating with fresh colors to add to the appeal.  A hanging basket is another way to freshen up the space.  If you are feeling really adventurous take time to update the paint on the entry door.  These small renovations bring your entry up to date and appeals to buyers.

Stash Winter Wearable’s: Winter clothing takes up a lot of space.  Spring is the perfect time to stash the winter wear and bring out the spring and summer wear.  Boots, scarves, hats, gloves and thick winter coats take up a lot of valuable space.  Put the winter wear in storage in order to reduce the clutter and show off the extra space within your home.

Bring In The Spring Scents: Spring is full of fragrant scents.  Don’t forget to bring the scents into your home as they work to put buyers in a good mood.  Open the windows, add some spring scented candles and fresh cut flowers can change the entire feeling of your home.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

It is that time of year when purchasing a home starts to pique people’s interest.  It is important to understand that although you can navigate the home buying process on your own it is much simpler when a qualified real estate is in your corner helping you along the way.

Benefits of Hiring a Realtor When Buying a New Home

• Comprehend Home Financing: Experienced realtors offer comprehensive knowledge in home financing. They have been through the closing process on buying homes and are familiar with a variety of scenarios that can come up throughout the process.  They can offer suggestions on mortgage brokers help with the preapproval process and offer guidance when it comes to choosing between several mortgage options.  They offer an outside opinion on the information you are receiving from the broker and lenders.
• Identify The Most Recent Listings: Another major benefit that comes from working with a real estate agent is that they have market connections.  This allows them the inside scoop on new listings, some even before they become available on the market.  This offers a unique opportunity to you as a buyer to have the first peak at homes.  Buyers have often been able to put an offer on a home and have it accepted without a seller having to go through the hassle of open houses and daily showings.  This can also make it easier to get a good deal on a home without ever having to enter into a biddig war with another buyer.

Types of Real Estate Agents

• Buyer’s Agents: This is an agent that is representing the best interest of the buyer within a real estate transaction. They are often compensated through commission which comes after the transaction closes.  The seller’s broker often splits the commission with the buyer’s agent.  Before signing a contract with a realtor it is important to understand who is paying the commission, how much they are being compensated and when this fee is expected.
• Sellers Agents: You may have guessed that this type of agent represents the best interest in the seller. This person is the listing agent on a home and is responsible for marketing to buyers in order to secure the best price and terms possible on the sale of the home.
• Dual Agents: A dual agent is uncommon but does occur within real estate transactions. A dual agent represents both the buyer and seller.  Dual agents are not always a good idea as they have a conflicting interest to both parties involved in the process.  Laws are incredibly strict with what a dual agent can do.  It may not be in your best interest to use this type of agent especially when buying our first home.  Perhaps when you are more familiar in real estate transactions a dual agency can save you money on commission.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

At the first sign of spring both home buyers and sellers get anxious.  This is the time of the year that many homeowners wait for to list their homes in search of something bigger and better.  The season brings a flux of new home buyers looking for their first homes, buyers looking to upgrade and sellers anxious to sell in order to move on to the next phase of life.  No matter where you are at or who you are in the equation one thing remains the same; spring is the perfect time to buy and sell real estate.

It is important to have the market on your side.  2016 is said to be a year filled with a new competition between buyers that hasn’t been seen in recent years due to the relatively low housing inventory, slow increase in interest rates and home prices.  People are ready to settle into a home at a reasonable price while taking advantage of the current lower interest rates.  Economists have long predicted that the interest market on home loans would start to see hikes as the economy recovers.  This article is filled with tips for both home buyers and home sellers so that they can understand what is important right now in the real estate market.

Top Buying Tips For 2016

• Don’t Delay: Many home buyers want to time their purchase to coincide with the spring or summer season. This is problematic because this is a theory many buyers use which leads to a high demand for homes within these seasons, which drives up competition and therefore the price sellers can ask.  Start looking for a home immediately.

  The home buying process is not something that occurs overnight.  Rest assured that beginning your search today doesn’t mean you will be moving right away.  Meet with a local, professional real estate agent right away. They will access your wants and needs and be able to locate homes within a database that may interest you.  Start the process by driving by the locations.  Scope out the neighborhoods, schools and other areas of interest; if you happen to love the home look at it but again the time table is one in which you set.

• Work With A Mortgage Specialist: A mortgage broker is a specialist who will look at your current financial situation and seek to find a mortgage lender and home loan option that is most advantageous. A mortgage specialist will help to find you the best type of loan and rate for you while examining just how much you can truly afford to take on.  A pre-approval from a mortgage broker is also a huge bonus when it comes to having an offer accepted on a home.  Sellers are looking for buyers that are committed and ready to buy.

• Consider New Construction: 2016 has been deemed the year of that new construction begins to surge. The prediction is that the new construction market will grow sixteen percent this year alone.  If you choose to buy a new home there is often less competition and a larger selection of homes to choose from.  The con however is that new construction homes often start at a premium price tag.

Top Selling Tips For 2016

• List Now: The prime season to buy a home is historically April through June. Now is the time to get your home ready to sell and listed on the market.  A larger population of buyers is said to be seeking to buy homes during the spring and summer seasons.  Take advantage of this.  More buyers can often lead to bidding wars resulting in higher prices and quicker closings.

• Be Reasonable: Don’t try to oversell your home. This is an issue many real estate professionals face when listing a home for a seller whom deeply regards every cent of home improvement that has been put into a home.

  It will not matter that you put in all new landscaping when you moved in five years ago other than the home looks better and is up kept.  Some renovations will not offer a return on investment.  Listen to the professionals when pricing your home to sell.  Price your home to sell based on the market and comparable homes in the area.  This will ensure it sells quickly and effortlessly.

• Offer An Incentive: No matter what is being sold people love a deal. Offer an incentive to buyers. Be willing to negotiate in areas other than the homes price.  For instance, if you live on the water and are moving inland consider throwing in the boat.  If a buyer mentions that love your dinette set be willing to counter offer a higher priced offer but include the dinette set.  This is often a win-win situation for buyers and sellers.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

Spring is a great time to buy a home.  With the spring home buying season about to fully get underway there are a few strategies to keep in mind to ensure you find the home of your dreams within your budget.

Professionals within the housing market industry are anticipating a busy home buying season for 2016. The inventory is here, the market itself is stable and there are concerns that the interest rates on home loans have seen their lowest days are on the rise.

If you hope to be successful in the present market it is important to have a strategic plan in place to approach finding the home of your dreams.  Be prepared and incorporate the tips below when buying a home this spring.

• Ditch The Computer

With over ninety percent of homeowner looking online for the home of their dreams it may benefit home buyers to look elsewhere.  Get outside; start canvassing areas in neighborhoods that meet your needs.  Work with a realtor to help narrow the window of area homes that meet all of your wants and needs within your budget.  Having a real estate agent that completely understands what you are looking for at the start of the busy spring season is a must.  They often have ties to homes going on the market, which you can preview before anyone else.  New homes hit the market quickly.  Get in, preview the space and make an offer before the seller is even prepared to list the home to ensure you the pick of the litter when it comes to homes hitting the market this spring.

• Understand the Current Housing Market

Each housing market is a bit unique.  This is true of different neighborhoods, school districts, towns and more. The area in which you are looking is distinct and the housing market within will be exclusive to that space.  It is important that buyers understand the current housing markets of the areas that interest them and hire a real estate agent that fully embraces the concept.  The entire process can hinder on the uniqueness of the market in which you are looking.  Research and educate yourself before it’s too late.

• Get Pre-Approved and Lock In Low Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates have begun to fluctuate.  The economy of 2016 is different than that of years past.  We are seeing economic recovery, new construction and home remodeling increases and with that eventually come higher interest rates.  Mortgage specialists have indicated that they don’t expect these low mortgage rates to last into the summer buying season.

Mortgage brokers have indicated that all signs pointing from the Federal Reserve are that interest rates will begin the spring buying season low and will increase slowly throughout the season and into the summer buying season.  The concerns about heightened home prices and increases in rent will continue to exceed the increase of earned wages; before it is too late lock in a low pre-approved mortgage rate.

• Construct a Dream Team

The spring home buying season can be competitive and fast paced.  With this in mind it is important that buyers have a team in place that allows them to make an offer on the perfect home at a moment’s notice.  Your dream team should consist of a professional real estate agent, a mortgage specialist with several lenders and loan options in place, a lawyer and home inspector.  With your pre-approval in hand you are ready to complete the mortgage process quickly once a property is found.  Eager sellers will often benefit from a quick sale and can compensate accordingly.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

Do you think you are ready for the commitment of buying a home?  With the home buying and selling market that we are experiencing right now it is the perfect time to start looking.  Whether you are looking to buy your first home or upgrade the current interest rates and home market make it an ideal time to hire a realtor to begin your search.

A trusted realtor with experience in the local area is a must when you are looking to buying a home.  Some buyers are hesitant to use a realtor because they don’t want to pay the fees involved with using a realtor.  It is important to remember that the fees that realtors are paid, the commissions, are paid for by seller.  It is crucial that buyers remember that listing agents do not have their best interest in mind. They represent their client, the seller and their best interest.

No matter if you use a realtor to buy a home or not the commissions are paid by the seller.  Therefore not using one only allows for the sellers listing agent to be paid both sides of the commission.  Using an real estate agent that is savvy can help to protect your interests throughout the home buying process from negotiating the sale price to helping you navigate through the home inspection process.

Buying a home requires you enter into a legal contract.  One major difference in contracts dealing with the purchase of a home is that they are negotiable up until the time at which you sign on the dotted line to buy the home.  If you want time to review the home inspection report, time to obtain a well inspection or want to ensure that the sale is subject to a certain condition such as the ability to obtain a home loan this can be negotiated into the deal.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments that most of us will ever enter into.  With this in mind it is important to consider changes in your future before making a purchase.  If you are looking to start a family in the next two years buy won’t want to move again within that period of time it is essential you consider the additional member of your family in the purchase.  Consider the number of rooms in the home, the day care centers in the area, local recreation and all other aspects that are important to you.

When you buy a home you are making an additional commitment to your time.  You will need time to keep up on daily maintenance as well as future home improvements.  Find a home that meets the commitment level you are ready for.  If you don’t have lots of time for yard maintenance or exterior upkeep consider the purchase of a town home, condominium or home with significantly lower maintenance requirements.

An affordable home is important as well.  Take into consideration the amount you have to put down on a home, the interest rate you will pay, monthly utility payments and such before purchasing a home.  The cost of the home is essentially unimportant if you can’t afford to live in it.  All of these items should be added up and accounted for before fixating on a home of your dreams.  Affordability comes from more than just the initial cost to purchase the home.

An experienced real estate agent is invaluable to the buying and selling process.  They offer extensive knowledge of the process as a whole and therefore decrease the amount of stress that is usually associated with buying a home.  A great way to find a reputable real estate agent is to talk to family, friends and associates about their experiences.  Newer agents with less experience can still offer a reliable amount of knowledge to the process depending on your level of experience in home buying.  If however, this is the first time you are buying a home look to work with an agent that has been working within the industry for a significant amount of time.  Time in real estate improves upon the knowledge of an agent as well as the different number of situations they are familiar with.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

2016 around may just be the perfect time to buy a new home.  There are many factors that determine whether the timing is right for you to buy a home.  Below you will find 5 key elements that play into why 2016 is the year that you find your dream home.

• Interest Rates Remain Low For 2016

Interest rates may be slowly creeping up at the beginning of 2016 but overall still remain at an all time, historic even, low.  A common thirty year fixed mortgage loan is still hovering around four percent.   It is not uncommon to assume that interest rates may never see these low numbers again.  In fact many current homeowners have seen mortgage rates, in their lifetime, as high as eighteen percent.  The eighties were a notorious decade for impossibly high interest rates.

• Rent Prices Have Increased

Another reason homeowners should be looking into purchasing a home is the cost of rent is increasing.  Rent is outpacing the value of homes in up to thirty five percent of housing markets around the United States.  In 2016 rent payments are said to see increases of upwards of eight percent.  This is the perfect year to say good bye to landlords for good and say hello to a mortgage broker that can find you a home loan to match your needs.

• Home Prices Are Stabilized

Rising home costs are said to be stabilizing in 2016.  This will help to restore a common playing field for buyers looking capitalize on the opportunity.  Even in the most heated home markets buyers should expect to see home values stay relatively stable over the course of the year.

• Down Payment Are No Longer The Standard Twenty Percent

The biggest obstacle against home buyers of the past was the required twenty percent down.  This was almost impossible to obtain for many people looking to buy a home.  Recently mortgage lenders have loosened their down payment requirements and are allowing homeowners to buy homes with less down at closing with the addition of principal mortgage insurance, otherwise known as PMI.  Even with a lower than average credit score mortgage brokers are able to secure home loans with three percent down.

• Mortgage Insurance Rates Are Low

With lower down payments required a PMI is required until the equity in the home has reached twenty percent of the home loans value.  With this said the rates being charged along with this insurance is relatively low making the payment overall reasonable.

There are many reasons that you should look into meeting with a mortgage broker today.  Initial consultations and mortgage pre-approvals are free services offered by mortgage consultants every day.  Find out how much house you can afford, determine a down payment needed, meet with a local real estate agent and begin your quest to homeownership in 2016 today.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

The home buying process is not always easy.  The troubles however seem to disappear when the walk-through is scheduled.  A walk through happens at the end of the buying process.  The mortgage has been secured, the home inspected and a contract agreed upon; now all that needs to happen is a final walk through and the actual closing.

A walk-through is done by the buyer of the home and the real estate agent representing the buyer.  It is a time to explore the home that is soon to be yours.  You will be looking to make sure that the home is in the condition stated within the agreed upon contract.

When Buyers Should Schedule a Final Walk-Through:  A walk through should be scheduled within the last twenty four hours before closing on the home.  You want to wait until the last possible moment to do a final walk through to ensure that the home is left in the agreed upon condition.

If there is any damage, natural or seller induced, not addressed before closing they become your responsibility.  This is true even if the damage has happened before you technically own the home.  If the damage is not dealt with before you sign on the dotted line it becomes your issue to deal with.

If there were any repairs that were contracted to be made before closing you may want to schedule two walk-through appointments.  This will allow you to look at the repairs that were done and make sure they were done to your specifications.  If something is incorrect with the repairs or the contract isn’t fulfilled as stated it gives the buyer and seller time to resolve the issues.

What Can Home Buyers Expect During the Walk-Through Process:   Often buyers are disappointed at first upon the final walk-through.  Most contracts don’t state that the home must be left pristine.  Most of the time the home is clear of the previous owners mess but not necessarily cleaned to the buyers “deep-clean” specifications.

Regardless of how surface clean the home is here are the things that you should really be examining during the walk-though:

• Check on all the agreed upon items within the contract that needed to be fixed or left behind for the new buyer. If the swing set, appliances or such are missing and they have been written into the contract that is an issue that needs to be addressed in writing before the home is closed on.
• Test appliances throughout the home and make sure they are in working order. This also means that you should test the central heating and air conditioning systems to ensure that everything is in working order.
• Test outlets throughout the home with an inexpensive electrical tester to test for power. Check all flagged items within the home inspection and contract.

If A Problem Is Found What Should Home Buyers Do: If an issue is found and it is outside the normal range of expense excepted when moving into a new home it is time to that you and the buyer’s agent contact the sellers agent to negotiate a proper solution to the problem.  If a solution can’t be found and the problem is extreme you can stop the closing process.  Consider the cost of delaying the closing as well as legal fees to determine if the issue is worth pursuing or if you as the buyer can resolve the issue on their own.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.