You may pull a credit report, for free, once a year from annualcreditreport.com. It is always a good idea to monitor your credit to ensure you are not missing any debts that need to be attended to and to ensure no one is using your identity. The credit score any lender prefers is 640 or better.  However, there are options with lower scores on a case by case basis.

The down payment requirement is different for each loan type.  Getting pre-approved prior to house hunting is the best route.

The documents vary slightly per borrower.  The majority of the documents needed are paystubs, W2’s and bank statements. 

The debt to income ratio compares your income to your total monthly debt obligations, including the new house payment.  You should never open any new debt during the process of buying a home without consulting your loan officer first.

Principle, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (PITI).  Your monthly payment is not just to repay your loan.  Each month a portion of your payment (taxes and insurance) gets set aside into your escrow account so that your lender can pay taxes and insurance as they come due.  Your monthly mortgage payment will fluctuate each year as your insurance premium and property taxes increase each year. 

It is customary for loan officers to have to verify 2 full years of employment, in the same line of work, with no job gaps. 

A major defect is defined as something that is harmful to the occupant of the home or something that makes the house inhabitable. This also includes defects that can lead to larger issues such as leaks in water lines, roofs, or gas lines.

To determine if the house is worth the money your realtor will have comparisons of similar homes in the area as well as an appraisal.

We encourage all buyers to come to the last 30 minutes of the inspection so the inspector can review any findings in person and answer any questions they may have. 

The seller is not obligated to make any repairs on the inspection report unless determined to be in need of immediate repair for safety reasons. Some major defects can be negotiated on to determine if the seller is responsible for fixing. 

Even if no defects are found, the inspection report will provide you an overall status of your home and all of it’s systems. Think of it as a maintenance checklist. A home inspection will let you know if and when anything will need routine maintenance or replaced. 

While many factors affect the service life of your HVAC and plumbing systems, general maintenance plays a key role in how long they last. We provide a life expectancy chart with all of our home inspection reports. 

Personal liability coverage is an important part of home insurance because it can protect you financially in case someone is injured on your property or you are found liable for damage to someone else's property.

For example, if a guest falls down your stairs and gets injured, they may sue for medical expenses and other damages. Your personal liability coverage can help cover those costs up to the policy limits.

Additionally, if you accidentally damage someone else's property, such as breaking a window or knocking over a valuable piece of artwork, your personal liability coverage can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement.

Without personal liability coverage, you would be personally responsible for paying for any damages or injuries that occur on your property, which could be financially devastating. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your home insurance policy includes adequate personal liability coverage to protect yourself and your assets.

First, if your roof is old and in poor condition, it may be more susceptible to damage from natural disasters such as wind, rain, hail, or snow. This means that your insurance company may consider your home to be at a higher risk of damage, which can result in higher insurance premiums.

Second, if your roof is very old and has not been replaced or repaired recently, it may not meet the building codes and standards required by your insurance company. This can also result in higher premiums or even a denial of coverage.

On the other hand, if your roof is relatively new and in good condition, it may be seen as a lower risk by your insurance company, which could result in lower premiums.

Overall, the age of your roof is just one of many factors that insurance companies consider when determining your insurance premiums. It's important to keep your roof well-maintained and up to code to help reduce your risk of damage and keep your insurance costs as low as possible.

Expert advice: Insurance agents are trained professionals who can provide you with expert advice and guidance on insurance matters. They can help you understand the various insurance options available, and recommend the best policies to suit your specific needs and budget.

Personalized service: Insurance agents offer personalized service and are available to answer any questions you may have about your policies. They can assist you with filing claims and can help you navigate the complex world of insurance.

Time-saving: Dealing with insurance can be time-consuming and confusing, especially if you're not familiar with the terminology or processes. An insurance agent can save you time by handling all the paperwork, making phone calls, and managing the details of your policies on your behalf.

Better coverage: Insurance agents can help you get the best coverage for your needs. They have access to a wide range of insurance products and can recommend the policies that offer the most comprehensive coverage at the best possible price.

Peace of mind: Having an insurance agent can provide you with peace of mind knowing that you have a professional on your side who is looking out for your best interests. If you ever have a question or concern about your insurance, you can contact your agent for help and support.

The amount you insure your home for may be different from the amount you paid because the insurance value is based on the cost to rebuild or repair your home, not its market value.

When you purchase a home, the price you pay for it may include the value of the land, location, and other factors that contribute to its market value. However, when it comes to insurance, you only need to insure the structure of your home, not the land it sits on. Additionally, the cost to rebuild or repair your home may be different from the market value, as it takes into account factors such as construction materials, labor costs, and other expenses related to rebuilding or repairing a damaged home.

Therefore, it's important to insure your home for an amount that reflects the cost to rebuild or repair your home in the event of a covered loss. This amount may be higher or lower than what you paid for your home, depending on factors such as the size, location, and construction materials used to build your home.

Yes, if you have a home warranty, you still need homeowners insurance. A home warranty and homeowners insurance serve different purposes and cover different types of risks.

A home warranty typically covers the repair or replacement of certain appliances or systems in your home, such as your heating and cooling system, plumbing, or electrical system. A home warranty is typically purchased separately from homeowners insurance, and is designed to provide additional protection for specific home systems and appliances that may not be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.

Homeowners insurance, on the other hand, provides broader coverage for your home and personal belongings against risks such as theft, fire, and natural disasters. Homeowners insurance also typically provides liability coverage, which can protect you if someone is injured on your property and sues for damages.

Therefore, while a home warranty can be a valuable addition to your home protection plan, it does not replace the need for homeowners insurance. It's important to have both types of coverage in place to ensure that you have comprehensive protection for your home and personal belongings.

You need renters or homeowners insurance to protect your home or personal belongings from unexpected events that could cause damage or loss, such as fire, theft, or natural disasters. Without insurance, you could be left responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings or property.

Renters insurance is designed to protect the personal belongings of renters, while homeowners insurance provides protection for both the structure of your home and your personal belongings. Homeowners insurance also typically provides liability coverage, which can protect you if someone is injured on your property and sues you for damages.

The amount of coverage you need depends on a variety of factors, including the value of your personal belongings and the cost to repair or replace your home or belongings in the event of a covered loss. To determine the appropriate amount of coverage, you should take an inventory of your personal belongings and estimate the value of each item. You should also consider the cost to repair or rebuild your home in the event of a total loss.

When purchasing insurance, be sure to choose a coverage limit that is sufficient to cover the total value of your personal belongings and the cost to repair or rebuild your home. You should also consider purchasing additional coverage for high-value items such as jewelry, art, or electronics that may exceed the coverage limits of your standard policy.

It's important to review your insurance coverage regularly and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that you have adequate protection for your home and personal belongings.

It is recommended if you want to be ensured that the Title doing the closing will pay anything fiduciary that comes up from the previous owners of the property. Things that could attach to the property include: neighborhood code violations, unpaid hospital or doctor bills, unpaid taxes, unpaid mortgages and fees.

It's an account that keeps your money independent from anyone else's. It's specifically used for your transaction. Whether it be Ernest money, money towards survey, flooring allowance or anything unique your contract states. 

It depends on the county. In Allen county, yes we will! Each county has their own rules, but be sure that we will guide you on helping you do this no matter what county you are buying in! We will also see if there are any other exemptions in which you qualify.

A valid ID and everyone that needs to sign. If you are needing to pay anything less than $5,000, you’ll need a checkbook. If you need to pay between $5,000-$9,999, you’ll need a money order. For anything over $10,000, a wire will be required. Of course, we will guide you through this.

About 15-30 minutes. It's a big day! We want to celebrate you as either a seller or a buyer! 

Not having a plan before going to purchase furniture and accessories can cost you a lot of money and time.

Paint is one of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make after purchasing your new home. Having an inspirational color palette to start with will help you create a cohesive space that fits your style.

Creating small vignettes or grouping of accessories in specific areas will give your home a styled look like the magazines. Decide on a color palette for your space. Add pops of color throughout that go along with your scheme. Add texture in a space that feels cold.

Absolutely! We love helping clients feel home in their space. Lighting is huge part of that. We have relationships with vendors around the city who we trust to give you great prices as well as provide quality work. We walk along side you during the selection process as well. You may want to have a vision for your space prior to starting. Mood boards and design boards are a great place to start.

Just like purchasing a home, this depends on your personal position. There are economical options for furniture as well as designer options in a wide range of prices depending on your goals. The truth is, you do get what you pay for with furniture. High quality will have a higher price tag, however, you can start with investing in pieces you will keep for a long time like your primary bed, living room sofa and dining room table. Then add more economical side tables, lamps, etc. A standard living room fully furnished can cost $5,000-10,000.

Check our our latest blog for this years trends!