Judy Sells The Shoals

Having good credit is essential for a number of aspects of your life, ranging from the interest rate on a car loan or credit card to background checks for employment. Poor credit can be incredibly expensive, costing you thousands of dollars in higher interest rates over the course of a home loan. Fortunately, with proper care and attention paid to your finances, it is possible to maintain a good credit rating. Here are six factors that could damage your credit score: 1. Not paying your bills on time  - Bills not paid within 30 days can be reported to the credit bureaus. 2. Utilizing all of your available credit on credit cards  - It is important to not max out your credit cards without a plan to pay them off. 3. Not having a diverse mix of credit  - Having different types of credit, such as car loans and revolving credit, could help improve your score. 4. Applying for too much credit  - Multiple applications for credit cards in a short period of time can be a bad sig...

  One of the best things a homebuyer can hear is, “we have ‘clear to close.’” It’s one of the biggest milestones in the mortgage lending process and means the underwriter has cleared the application to move forward to document signing and close of escrow. While a critical stage for the sale, this is not the final step in closing on a new home. There are several things that can still affect the transfer of title. After the underwriter clears the file, the buyer will receive the closing disclosure. This is provided at least 3 days before the closing date and provides the final fees and costs. There shouldn’t be any surprises in the document, but the buyer must review and make sure the terms are acceptable. The close date will also be finalized at this time. Any discrepancy in the terms of the document and buyer’s expectations can still throw a wrench in the closing. Another step after “clear to close” is the final property walk-through. The buyers and their agent will walk through th...

Buying a new home is exciting and confusing. There are a lot of steps to buying a home, and people have questions. These are the most common questions home buyers have, and the answers. 1.  How do I get started? –  The first step is to speak with a lender and get a pre-approval. This will tell you, and potential sellers, how much you can afford. 2.  How long does it take to close on a home?  – Typically, it takes about 30-45 days once contracts are signed to complete the lending, appraisal, and inspection processes. 3.  What does my agent do?  – A buyer’s agent will negotiate terms and manage the closing process from start to finish. 4.  How much do I pay for a buyer’s agent?  – Nothing. The seller’s agent gives the buyer’s agent a portion of their commission from the seller. 5.  What credit score do I need to qualify?  – A 620 FICO score or higher is required for most home loan programs. Talk to a lender for other options for lower scor...

The most important aspect of listing your home for sales is the asking price. Unlike many other items we purchase, home prices are based on what a willing and able buyer would pay for the property. Sounds complicated, right? This is why real estate agents bring comps ( short for comparable properties) information with them to the discussion. Yet are you using the right comps to successfully sell your home? The idea is to gather information about comparable properties that have sold recently that are similar to your own. The goal is to compare apples to apples. In other words, the properties should be as close to the subject home as possible. This includes things like: ·  Location – how far is the property from yours. ·  Size – square footage is an important aspect of value. ·  Number of bedrooms/bathrooms – even if the square footage is close, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms can have a large effect on price. · Style, view, street, yard – even the exact same floorplan...

  Building codes change over time and for people who have owned their homes for a long time, they may not know if their home is out of code and if so, does it matter. Building codes and violations from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and focus on issues that can affect the safety of the dwelling and its occupants. A home that’s “up to code” may answer the questions: ·  Does the home have fire escapes and exits? ·  Are plumbing lines intact and functional? ·  Are construction materials in good condition and free from asbestos and other hazardous chemicals? ·  Is the home well-lit and free from tripping hazards? ·  Is the HVAC system working efficiently? Avoid Code Violations There are things to look for in both an existing house and a potential home. · Check for any permits on the home and always ensure any work done on the home includes permits. · Test for hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead. These materials are common in older homes. If found, these ...

Home Issues That Shouldn’t Be Deal-Breakers – and a Few That Are!   Finding the right home can sometimes feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Unless you’re buying brand-new construction, every home has some drawbacks, whether it’s style or real maintenance issues. If you’re looking for your next home, understanding the difference between minor issues and true deal-breakers can help you evaluate your options and make the best possible choice.  Manageable Annoyances    • Cosmetic – All aesthetic concerns can be fixed –for a cost. The key is to understand the difficulty and level of effort or money involved. A dying lawn can be addressed with new sod. Is the kitchen dated? A new backsplash is relatively inexpensive. With some fresh paint and new lighting fixtures, you can easily brighten a room and make a small space seem more expansive.   • Healthy Homes – Many homes have older carpet, drapes, and other elements that can irritate allergies. Ho...