What is a comfort letter and why do you need one? The mortgage process when purchasing a home can be tricky—there's a ton of paperwork to read through and sign, so much that your hand might just cramp up from the vast amounts of signatures required. But don't worry if your mortgage lender requests that you write them a "comfort" letter—it's just a statement clarifying...
By the Experts at Hippo For many people, a house is the biggest investment they'll ever make. And whether you're a first-time homeowner or you're buying your third property, you're bound to end up covering some unexpected expenses. Here are six costs homeowners tend to overlook and how to pay for them: 1. Property taxes Be prepared to pay property taxes and keep...
In the following interview, Thomas Brown, founder/owner of The Agency Texas in Austin, Texas, discusses converting leads from online with success.
Region Served: Texas
Years in Real Estate: 20
Number of Offices: 3, with one to open in Dallas in 2019
Number of Agents: 55
What is the first action your team takes when receiving an online lead?
By Frederick Peters Conventional wisdom has it that the stock market and the New York real estate market travel in lock step. But what if they don’t? While their failure to do so during the last 18 months may appear to be a paradigm shift, it’s my opinion that the two markets decoupled nearly two decades ago, then reunited for the precipitous rise and equally...
By Gary Bordeaux Attempting to juggle management concerns for multiple properties can be quite the undertaking. Overlooking the impact that seasonal changes may have on workload and client relations, and even the working conditions that property managers can expect to see throughout the season, could be a major misstep. A few simple tips on how to optimize efficiency,...
By Meghan Belnap Are you in the market to buy a new home? Do you want a space that'll fit your needs far into the future? Here are three things to look into before you choose the home that's right for you. Related: How to Ensure You're Buying the Perfect Home Conveniences How many grocery stores are near your home? Where is the closest bank should you need to withdraw...
According to new findings, the ideal age for most Americans to buy their first home is 28. A recent Bankrate study touted this number as the sweet spot that those surveyed seemed to gravitate to. Of course, not everyone agrees. A quarter of men surveyed believe the ideal time to buy a first home is prior to age 25, but only 12 percent of women concur. And region...
By Eliot Ward For most people, buying a home is the biggest investment they'll make in their life. Not only is it a huge financial undertaking, but your final choice is a decision you'll be living with for the foreseeable future. The process may sound daunting, but by taking the right steps, buying your perfect home doesn't have to be stressful. What Is a Perfect...
By Daniel Defendi Property investment can be an exciting opportunity for new investors. When evaluating the cost of a property, however, many homebuyers don't account for the ongoing expenses involved in owning and maintaining their asset. Related: Investing in Real Estate: How to Diversify Your Portfolio Investment property expenses add up and can fluctuate over...
By Art Lopez Moving to a new house, city or state is one of the most stressful things a person can go through. Even when everything goes smoothly, you'll likely be exhausted when all is said and done. However, if your whole move is marred by one mistake after another, your stress levels can skyrocket. It's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of...
