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10 Steps to Buying a Home: A Quick Breakdown

In July 2021, 676,000 homes were sold in the United States!

If you are looking to buy a home too, there can be a lot of different emotions going on. You might feel excited about the prospect of owning your own home, or anxious about making such an important decision.

More than anything, you probably want to know what are the steps to buying a home.

To help you stay on track and make the right decisions, take a look at these 10 steps to buying a home.

1. Check Your Credit Score

The first step to buying a home is to have a good credit score. Before you start shopping around, get your free copy of your credit report and check it for accuracy.

2. Make Sure You Can Afford It

You might be wondering what it means to “afford” a home. Generally, you should have enough income left over to pay for the house after paying your living expenses and debts every month.

3. Connect With a Real Estate Agent

There are many different agents to choose from, and some might have better qualifications than others. With that said, you want an experienced professional.

It’s a good idea to interview a few agents before making your decision.

4. Become Pre-approved

A pre-approval letter will help you negotiate the best deal. It also means that your credit and finances are in order, which gives potential sellers confidence in your ability to make good on a sale.

5. Search for a Home

Once you have your pre-approval letter, it’s time to start looking for a new home. Start with the type of house that meets your needs and then narrow down the list based on things like price range or location.

6. Put in an Offer

When you find a house that is perfect for your needs, it’s time to make an offer and get the ball rolling! Pay in your earnest money deposit, which is a sum of cash you put down to show commitment and seriousness. Use this guide to help you.

7. Get an Inspection

Home inspections are where buyers can learn a lot about what condition the house is in and whether it will need to be repaired. If you’re planning on putting down an offer, this step is necessary before making that commitment.

8. Polish Your Finances

This step doesn’t happen until after you have agreed to purchase the home. This is often done through one of these two programs: FHA or VA loans.

They each provide different types of lending options and benefits, so it’s worth exploring both before making a decision.

9. Get Insured

You won’t be able to close on your new home until you have a homeowners insurance policy in place. This is an important step that can cover you financially should your home encounter disasters.

10. Move-In

Finally, it’s time to close and move in! This should be a smooth transition. You will be given the keys to your new home and you can decide when to move in.

10 Steps to Buying a Home

You now know the 10 steps to buying a home. Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make.

This is why you need to ensure that you do it right. Going through the steps individually will assist you with making the process a smooth one. If you would like to know more about real estate buying, please visit our blog.

Author: Steffy Alen

Eight Things You Should Know About Before Buying A Home In Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of the most popular places to buy a home in. Every year, the worldwide population visits the most expensive city in the US and has a great time doing the things they love. If settling in Vegas has been your dream too, then there is a list of Henderson Las Vegas home for sale. But, before buying a home, consider reading these things that can be important for you to know.

1. You get a variety to select from

Before you decide anything, you have to settle on a budget. There are a variety of places available for you to settle down but, you should be aware that the hottest real estate place in the market has to come at a greater price. So, decide on a budget and start searching for a place that suits you the best. The type of home you are looking for also depends on your budget as they all have different prices. If you are looking for a villa, you are expected to keep your budget higher than an apartment.

2. You should go through the requirements of buying a home in Vegas

Once you are through in successfully selecting the home of your dreams, the next thing in line is looking at the requirements to buy a home in the area of your choice. You might need a pre-approved home loan before settling down at one residence. Make sure that the approval is not from anyone but a decent lender. You have to keep other things in mind, and for that, it’s best to consult someone with experience. If you can’t find a home yet, try the list of Henderson Las Vegas homes for sale. We are sure something will come up!

3. Have you heard about the green neighborhood?

If you are a planet lover and want to find a place that saves the environment, look for a green neighborhood house. Such sites are environmentally friendly but come at an expensive rate. These days more and more people are trying to look for a place here. It not only helps save the environment but makes sure you are safe too!

4. Living away from the strip is always a better idea

Looking for the best property in Las Vegas, then you should avoid the area near the strip. This is because you will have to research a lot when finding a school or amenities like a gym nearby. Going here on vacation purposes does make sense, but why take a home that is not family-friendly and involves many struggles? Shifting to a new home should always be convenient and easy.

5. It might be expensive so negotiating is a must

Negotiating on small things like a pen or a notebook might not make sense but negotiating on the house does! Wouldn’t it be good if you save some dollars while hunting for the best home in the town? Real estate being hotter in Las Vegas makes the property dealer more accountable in asking for a higher price. Helping yourself might get you a better deal, and there is nothing harmful in trying, right?

6. You have to decide early as houses are selling soon

Construction in Las Vegas is catching up speed because of which moderately priced properties are selling at a faster rate. So, acting fast is one option you have! Making a decision ASAP is an important step as you never know next day you will find the same house at the same price or not! Try to negotiate to an extent where the seller does not get tempted by someone who is paying a little more than you.

7. It won’t be that easy to buy a house in the hottest market

Just like you, there are a lot of people looking for a place to settle in L. A. It is not impossible, but it might not be easy for you to settle on a property because the demand and supply are running together. While the legal process can be easy and fast, you have to make sure that your decision-making power is one the same rate as well. You might love a few houses, and by the time you decide on one, all your choices are sold! As the market is on fire, it is not a smooth task to buy the home of your dreams.

8. Try creative offers to impress buyers

Creativity is one of the best ways to impress someone uniquely. While all the buyers are approaching in an ordinary fashion, you can make a difference and get the house with your creativity to pitch differently. Tr y taking a homebuyer education course to learn all the details. A few tips from us include, try making an offer before they speak about the price. Try to work with experienced men who know the field and will help you in the best way possible.

Buying a place in Las Vegas might not be a daunting task if you have the right people behind you. It is the hottest market globally, and things might work on a priority basis, but if you try and work it out, you can get what you are looking for without much of a problem.

How can I get a house for 100k or less?

You may be surprised to learn that you don’t need to be rich in order to buy a house. In fact, there are many ways you can save money and still get a house under 100k.

Houses are a big investment and one that should not be taken lightly. That is why it is important to find the perfect house for you, in the best location and for a price that fits your budget.

Average house prices

According to the survey, the average amount people are spending on a house now is around $400,000. So, it would take a lot of research and work to find a house that’s cheaper than 100k.

There are many ways you can get a house for close to 100k or even less than that. It just takes some time and work on your end.

Find the best value for your money

It’s not always easy to find cheap homes in the marketplace. There are many aspects that affect the value of a home. The general rule of thumb, however, is to buy close to the city centre if you want better value.

Some people say that it might be easier to find a cheap home by looking at area listings, or by looking at other more affordable areas outside of the city centre. However, this might not be possible for everyone who wants to live in an urban setting.

Be more creative in your search

So, what should you do? Get creative with your search and don’t limit yourself too much by just looking at one area when there are so many others out there for you to explore!

Saving up for a down payment is the first big step in achieving this goal. You can save the down payment by living with your parents or by renting an apartment in an inexpensive location and then saving up more money over time.

A lot of people want to purchase a home but they don’t have the money. It’s not uncommon for people to spend their life savings on a house – which is why many people end up living in their parents’ basement. That’s actually not a bad idea if it helps you to save up for your own home at the same time.

There are certainly ways to get houses for 100k or less if you have patience and know where to look.

Be more specific in your search

Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases that you will ever make. That said, if you are looking for a cheap home, it’s best to be more specific in your online search and don’t just rely on general words like ‘cheap home’ or ‘good deal’.

Be flexible when it comes to DIY

If you are up for DIY, you can get a fixer-upper home at a lower price. All you need is to take some time off and do the renovation work yourself. Not only will it make your home look better, but it will also help in saving money on labour costs.

Fixer Upper Homes: Fixer-upper homes are properties that have not been renovated or updated for a long time. Even if the property doesn’t have any major structural damage, they may need new paint and flooring, as well as other cosmetic improvements.

Investors are starting to pay attention to the potential in fixer-upper homes. With a low purchase price and a lower mortgage, it is easier than ever to buy a fixer-upper house.

The process of fixing up a home can be very rewarding; you have the opportunity to make your house uniquely yours. It also has the potential to be profitable, too. Fixing up your home can increase its value by hundreds of thousands of dollars if you do it right!

Conclusion

Now, you’ve seen the best ways to buy a house for 100k or less. So, what are you waiting for? Start scrolling and find your dream home today!

Bio

Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries. We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.

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What’s the deal with bunkers for sale?

For some reasons there have been a huge interest in abandoned bunkers for sale. Always there is an ad of a bunker for sale it gets at least ten times more hits than homes for sale. Surely, many just click on it out of curiosity but many are seriously interested. What is it that makes bunkers so attractive for buyers?

Although it is considered as the ultimate hiding place, the average underground bunker usually has no windows, just air vents and most of the times no electricity, toilet or running water.

Most subterranean shelters would be accessible through a straight up concrete shaft with a steel ladder, accessed by some sort of concrete or steel hatch on the ground.

The perfect historical restoration project

For all buyers who are interested in a historical restoration venture they are just perfect. It is a truly unique project that is sure to seduce. Unfortunately, there are not as many out there as interested buyers. That’s why, despite the bad state they usually are in they are not cheap.

Some people have been very creative and building their own amazing backyard bunkers. In this case don’t forget to get the proper permits before.

We could also see a recent movement of newly built bunkers – many especially for the upper class – that offer all modern comfort you can think of and look like out of a sci fi movie.

The “bunker for sale scam”

Sadly, whatever triggers a lot of interest in many people also inspires others to come up with a scam. In the bunker story it is no different.

The scam we have seen so far is this:

There is an ad with nice and very cheap bunkers for sale. Once you contact the advertiser, he will explain that he is very sick that is why he priced his bunker for a quick sale. Due to his condition, he is also not able to show the property but someone else can be paid to show it. Therefore, he will ask you for some money to see the bunker before you buy it. Needless to say, that after paying the money you will not hear from him ever again or have any way to get through to him.

Here are some red flags to look out for:

Price is cheaper than normal
The seller asks money to show you the property

Another good way is to use the Google Reverse Image Search with the images the advertiser has in the ad. You may find that he copied them from another website.

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Bild von Martin Bock auf Pixabay

Spanish Cave Houses for Sale

Yes, you read correctly, this article is about cave houses for sale. The first thing that comes to mind might be a primitive home for cavemen, but I can assure you they look nothing like that. They actually look like a proper home and can even serve other purposes like an office, holiday home or even a hotel.

What exactly is a cave house?

Caves are perhaps the oldest form of shelter known to men. Nevertheless, they are usually overlooked as possible homes by most people. However, in a few places around the world cave houses have survived and are still used as homes up to the present day. They come with a lot of history attached.

Cave homes are caved out of solid rock. But don’t worry, you don’t need to carve it yourself. There are a lot of cave houses that are waiting to be restored. Needless to see that each single one of it is truly unique.

Due to their many environmentally friendly advantages, they have been newly discovered and increased in popularity.

What is great about a cave home?

Because cave rooms are inside the rock, they keep approximately the same temperature in summer and winter, a comfortable 16 up to 19°C.

This makes them perfect in the usually hot weather that you have outside, like for example in Andalusia Spain, where we found a spot popular for cave houses. As a result, there is no need for any air conditioning in the summer. Just in winter time it would be good to have some sort of heating. But even the heating costs are lower than in standard built houses. Therefore, electricity consumption and running costs are much lower.

Cosy in the Winter and cool in the Summer

Another great advantage is that you have a lot less maintenance. There are almost no external walls that could need some new paint or a roof that could start leaking.

Also, they usually come in a very nice setting, places where you can relax and unwind but usually close enough to some villages that provide everything for your daily needs.

Where can I find cave houses for sale?

There are some real estate agents that would be specialised to show and explain you the process of buying a cave home. Cave houses for sale can be found on property portals such as www.listproperty4free.com

Have you bought a cave house recently and like to share your experience? Please feel free to leave a comment below.

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Finding apartment blocks for sale

So, you’re in the market for a whole apartment block? That’s exciting news. Finding apartment blocks for sale is just one click away. If you’re serious about buying some apartment units here is a good place to start to get a first idea of what your money can buy.

Later it might be a good idea to get a qualified real estate agent who knows the local real estate market and can guide you through the buying process.

They can advise you on the real estate market in your area and financing if needed. That can help you immensely to make your dream of becoming a landlord a reality. With a real professional by your side finding a suitable building will be piece of cake.
Did you know that a typical real estate sale involves more than 20 steps after the initial contract is accepted? Real estate agents walk you through each step to move toward a quick-and-easy close. Together, you’ll create a marketing plan, set the right price and get your new real estate business in no time.

Make your homework

Of course, it is always good to do some research yourself. For example, it can be interesting to look at some property records before buying as well as rental prices. Like that it will be easy for you to find out what yield you can expect from your investment.

If you want to have the least work possible with your asset it would be wise to consider hiring a management company who will deal with the tenants on your behalf.

Newly built apartment blocks for a secure future

Nobody can resist the charm of a new build home.

The plaster does not crumble from the walls, power lines and pipes do not need renovation and the architectural style usually has a trendy and modern design. State-of-the-art materials and the latest standard characterize such a new building.

Yes, buying a brand-new home can be very appealing especially if you are planning to rent it out. You will easily find tenants and beside the usual maintenance jobs there will not be much repairs to do.

A new home has advantages in many ways

A new phase of life begins with a new house and many people fulfil a lifelong dream. The likelihood of taking a risk with such a newly built house is almost zero. Freshly build houses have the great advantages:

New buildings often consist of high-quality materials.
New build houses mostly have the latest house technology integrated.
They are characterized by a low energy requirement.
A modern architectural style is characteristic of newly built houses.

The construction quality has improved immensely in recent years, so that today there are hardly any nasty surprises waiting for the owner after years of occupancy. Therefore, after buying new apartment blocks, you can sit back and relax.

The old charm apartment block

If you lost your heart to one of those old charm apartment blocks you are not alone. Although due to age and new energy efficiency laws they usually need some works before they can be properly rented but it is totally worth it. In the end you will have something truly special and unique.

Apartment blocks for sale

You are looking for apartment blocks for sale? Have a look at

Blocks of Apartments for Sale & Rent in Africa

Blocks of Apartments for Sale & Rent in Asia

Blocks of Apartments for Sale & Rent in Europe

Blocks of Apartments for Sale & Rent in North America

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Buying vs Renting – should you buy a house?

Buying or to renting a place to call home is one of the questions on many people’s minds at a certain point in life. If you are settled in a place with a good job and can foresee yourself staying there in the nearest future, would it be more advantageous to continue to rent or take out a mortgage?

The answer generally depends on individual’s choice, as you may have different values to the usually home buying route. Of course, there are benefits to renting a house, but the advantages of buying supersede that of renting. It gives you a sense of security and satisfaction in having a place to call your own – permanently. With that said, outlined below are a few key benefits you enjoy when you buy your own home as against renting.

1 – Equity building

One major benefit of buying a home is in building equity. As you make your mortgage payments, the amount of money you owe on a home reduces. And the more your home value increases, the more money you save. You can even consider mortgage as a forced savings plan. When you pay rent, you are technically making someone better off by paying their mortgage and building up their equity. Of course, renting can initially be cheaper than buying a home, but many see it as throwing money down the drain. If I may ask, why do you want to be building savings for someone else when you can contribute towards your own investment?

2 – Modify to taste

It is always fun to create a living style that is all your own. As a homeowner, you can always make changes to your home to suit your taste and preference. You can renovate, customize, and paint the walls any color you wish etc. In fact, there won’t be anyone to tell you what you can and cannot do. But if you rent a house, you are always at the mercy of whatever the homeowner will allow you to do.

3 – Unparalleled stability

The stability you experience when you have your own home is unparalleled. You understand that if you lock in an interest rate your payments remain constant. If you rent, you have no control over the increments in rental payments. The property owner may evict you or even sell the home from under you at will.

Final thought about buying vs renting

Renting a home can be a great place to start. But when you buy your own home you have a sense of permanence, and it also contributes positively to your financial future as you are constantly building equity. Additionally, buying a home provides security for your family knowing that they have a place to call their own.

Home Improvements You’ll Never Regret

When it comes to home improvements, there are some that surely will last a lifetime.

Home Improvements

Sitting in an apartment that was built when I was born, I wish the builders already had thought about some extras instead of going for the minimum standard. But on the other hand, I probably would not appreciate some changes as much. Although it’s impossible to predict the future there are a few enhancements that surely will give more comfort, sustainability and even increase the value of your home. So, no matter if you’re ‘dwelling or selling’, here are some areas that are a safe bet.

Windows

By replacing old windows with high-quality double-glazing windows, you are adding energy efficiency along with security to your home. Needless to say, it makes your house so much more comfortable, they look good and sometimes they are also easier to clean – depending on how your old windows looked like. This is definitely something you will love.

Heating

Did you know that upgrading a home’s boiler and heating system has the highest return of investment when it comes to increasing a property’s value? At the same time, it is even more cost-effective than other renovations and refurbishments.

Best is to combine the fitting of new heating equipment with other improvements, such as replacing old windows, sealing the entrance door and insulating the roof. In doing this, you can see your energy savings begin to show.

Electrical

Extreme temperatures can put an extra burden on your home’s electrical system. If yours is already older it would probably be a good idea to have it inspected and at the same time the electrician can advise you on electrical improvements you can do.

Getting the right lighting in your real estate is not only saving electricity but it also puts your home in the right light. With the right light fixtures you can cater for the right mood and set an ambience everybody loves.

No-Cost Home Energy Upgrades

Some countries help homeowners to make energy saving upgrades. Whether you rent or own, you could be eligible to receive free energy-efficient home improvements or get some financial help. It surely is worth to look this up in your country before you start your home improvements as this can really make a big difference in your budget.

Are you still looking for your own DIY project? Have a look at homes for sale that need renovations on https://www.all-real-estate.com/derelict-properties-for-sale

Or you just finished your hoome improvemets? Let us know how did it go in the coment below. If you are thinking to sell it, you can list it with us for free.

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Why most Lenders Use Gross Income instead of Net Income

It might not seem logical that most lenders use your gross monthly income when deciding affordability instead of your net income, the money you actually take home. In the end, it’s the take-home pay you will use for your monthly expenses – this will include your mortgage.

Some Reasons why Lenders use the Gross Income

Foremost, it’s widespread. Most mortgage companies use the gross monthly income to analyse the debt-to-income ratio – and consequently affordability. Like this, everyone is using the same procedure and it is much easier to compare the loan that was offered. Of course, there are exceptions, a few loans do take monthly expenses into consideration.

Another reason is this, it’s a number that most clients know. Calculating the net income with taxes and other deductions is complex and can vary every month. Gross income is steady and easier to calculate monthly. It would be too work intensive for mortgage companies to adjust their loan programs for each person’s exact overheads.

Also, another factor that has to be considered is that when clients are asked to proof their income for their loan application, the last two years of your tax declaration is needed along with recent income statements. The gross amounts on those should align with the documents from your revenue office. As those documents will also show the gross income it is just a lot easier to use those numbers.

Thinking to buy real estate?

If you’re thinking about buying some real estate and want to know what you might qualify for, there are many websites out there where you can get a first idea. Just keep in mind to enter your gross monthly income. By visiting a few you will be able to find out what will be a good option for you.

If you are looking for a real estate bargain, check out our property listings at https://www.all-real-estate.com/property-list/for-sale

You may even be able to find a home that is so cheap that you not even need a mortgage. Does this sound intresting? Then visit our partner site https://www.propertyunder20k.com/ where you can find real estate for sale for less than 20,000 EUR.

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From fixer upper to cosy home – 10 practical tips

Fixer upper to cosy home, or better, how to purchase an old, inexpensive, run-down house and turn it into a gorgeous property everybody loves.

It doesn’t matter if you are planning to purchase a fixer upper to turn it into a home for yourself or if you are planning to make some money in the resale afterwards – you will definitely benefit from the following tips to get you through this challenging mission.

Fixer Upper to Cosy Home

The idea is simple, you buy an old building in need of repairs for a great price and a few buckets of paint later it has become a dream home. There are so many tv shows out there where exactly that happens. Of course, it all looks so easy. In reality it is not as simple as it looks. To turn your renovation project into a success lets look at a few areas that need to be considered.

1 Buying the right house

It all starts with picking the right building to start with. The biggest or cheapest real estate is not necessarily the best choice. You have to consider several factors here, especially if you are thinking to sell it after you’re done with it. What are the prices in this location for a home in a good condition? How much will the renovation cost? Is there a lot of demand for houses in this location with this size? To answer these questions, you might need to make a bit of an investigation and talk to a few people. After making all your maths you will see beforehand if it is actually worth it to jump into this venture.

Getting the right project for YOU is the key here. A house that fits in your budget and skills. This is not only the first but the most important decision you need to do.

2 Getting professional help

Unless you are a professional yourself it is always worth it to have some expert by your side to help or to guide you. If you don’t want to get a contractor for the whole job to save some money, you might be able to use him just for some stuff that you find more difficult. This will take some pressure out of you and you can be sure it’ll be a job well done. While you leave those difficult parts to someone else you can concentrate more in the other things that need doing. One thing is for sure, there is always more to do!

A lot of renovation works are not that complicated. It is amazing how quickly one can learn the basics by watching some YouTube tutorials.

3 Planning and Research

With careful planning and some research, you can guide your project in the right direction. This is of course, if you like to make changes to the layout of the house. Best would be to consult with a realtor to see what the clients usually like or dislike. Find out what they have on their wish list and think about a wow-factor you can add to your home. This can make a huge difference in the end.

Just as an example. If your project is in a hot climate, homebuyers might really love to have a pool in their backyard. If you are able to add one for, let’s say 10,000, but in the end, it will make your real estate be worth 20,000 more because of that, it’s totally worth it.

4 Get your hands dirty

You can save a lot of cash if you are working on your own house. There are so many things that are easy enough to do, even if you are not a handy person.

If you belong to this rare specie that can’t even put a nail in the wall, still there are many things you can do. For example, there is always cleaning up to do and often workers can tell you how you can prepare some works for them. This will make their jobs easier and as a result save you some money.

5 Shop around

When it comes to using the right materials for your renovation project it is always worth to shop around for special offers or to find out if the DIY shop offers discounts if you buy a certain amount.

6 Don’t hide – be open about your plans

Keeping an open communication with the neighbours and passers-by is a great way to find a buyer or tenant. Don’t underestimate the power of the word of mouth.

A construction project usually triggers a lot of interest with the neighbours. They all like to know what’s happening and who is going to move there. They might just know the right person who wants to live in your house once its finished.

7 Decorate wisely

When it comes to choose the right colours and decoration it is always good to get a few opinions. Especial value those of people who are usually dealing a lot with home buyers and tenants. Often it is a good choice to keep it simple/neutral and just set a few highlights.

8 Set a budget

When it comes to your budget, be realistic. Doing your maths is one of the biggest challenges and nearly impossible to get it 100% right. Therefore, don’t plan to spend your last penny, always keep a buffer for unexpected costs.

9 Time

When it comes to time, I never met anyone who could stick to a certain time frame when doing his own renovations – except in tv shows. I believe usually time is estimated very optimistic. Therefore, don’t be disappointed if you can’t finish in a certain time frame. Depending on the scale of you project it is always good to give a few days or weeks extra in case something takes more time than expected.

10 Stay positive

Yes, sometimes a positive attitude can make all the difference. Keeping your spirits up can give you the motivation you need to get the job done: turning your fixer upper into a cosy home.