If you recently purchased a home with less than 20% down, your mortgage lender likely required that you carry Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This $80-$200 fee tacked onto your monthly payment automatically drops off once your principal balance has been paid down to greater than 20%. Depending on your amortization schedule though, this might not happen until year 9 or year 10 of your Continue Reading
Getting the House Ready for Winter
It’s that time of year again in Southeast Wisconsin! Leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping and pretty soon the snow will fly. Prepping your house for the deep freeze can save you time, money and hassle during the long winter months and into the spring. Garden Beds: Cut down and remove foliage from perennial plants like lilies and hostas. Annuals can also be removed. Stalky Continue Reading
The ABCs of Real Estate
A lot of information is shared with you during the home buying and selling journey, and even if you've gone through it before, trying to remember what different terms mean — and where they come into play during the process — can be overwhelming. Here is a list of real estate ABCs to help familiarize yourself with the language of buying and selling. A | Appraisal: An estimation of a Continue Reading
88 Types of Turbulence That Can Be Encountered in Your Real Estate Transaction
Every real estate transaction is a sophisticated and complicated financial maze that, if not managed properly, will crash and burn. Much like an airline pilot, your realtor must understand and anticipate the potential pitfalls that could keep you from reaching your destination in one piece. A successful transaction, much like a successful flight, will leave the passenger with the thought, “Well Continue Reading
Typical Costs to Expect When Buying a Home
Purchasing your first home is by far one of the most important investments you will make in your entire life, and likely the largest. There are so many factors to consider and research, but with time, patience and the right realtor guiding you through the process, you will soon become confident in your decision making abilities. Understanding the costs involved with purchasing a home and the Continue Reading
Purchasing Property? Proper Preparation Prevents Probable Problems
Why a Buyer Orientation is so important- You’ve absolutely had it with paying rent! Maybe you’ve outgrown your current space or school districts are now a factor. Perhaps it’s as simple as a job transfer or a need for changed scenery… whatever your reason may be, you have decided it’s time to purchase a new home. Congratulations! This one decision is the first step and the hardest to take Continue Reading
5 Ways to Beat Your Competition and Win the Accepted Offer on the Home of Your Dreams
Its no secret that the Real Estate market in Eastern Waukesha County is absolutely off the hook at the moment. The inventory is low and the Buyer competition is FIERCE! It seems everyone wants a piece of the American Dream in our quiet suburban settings with a great school system. However, within a few days of a house being listed for sale, multiple offers have been submitted and the prices are Continue Reading
