April 2017

Found 3 blog entries for April 2017.

credit score programs for home buyers

A home buyer’s credit score helps determine the down payment she’ll make at closing, her buying power (how much she qualifies for), the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premium, interest rate, and the overall monthly mortgage payment. Because credit affects so many aspects of the lending process, every home buyer should care about her credit. It’s amazing how even a 20 or 40 point increase can change the affordability of the home you purchase when the price of the home stays the same. For buyers who can push their credit score over the 680 milestone, we see a substantial improvement in their mortgage options.

I’d like to make very clear that not all credit enhancement programs are trustworthy or effective. In fact, I think probably only a small

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should I sell or buy a home first

Unless you’re a first time home buyer, chances are that you’ll want to sell your current home before buying a new one. Even buyers who can afford to pay two mortgages at once (and can get lender qualification for two loans) don’t want the burden of double mortgage payments. In an effort to avoid this double mortgage dilemma, many buyers assume that they should go ahead and list their current home and wait for it to go under contract before finding the next home to purchase. Theoretically, this plan makes perfect sense. However, in markets like Charleston South Carolina, this strategy will more than likely put you in a tougher position. Here’s why.

It’s Easier to Sell a Home Than to Buy One

In my 13+ years of real estate, I’ve never seen a

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charleston areas with the best public schools

If appreciation and resale value are important factors in your next home purchase, you should certainly compare the public schools for the areas that you’re considering. We’ve talked before on our blog about how public schools affect real estate values, and this trend should matter whether or not you have school aged children. In short, homes that are zoned for better public schools tend to perform better as real estate investments.

So where are the best public schools in Charleston? Let’s first take a look at neighborhood schools which don’t require applications or waiting lists. Students gain admission to these schools simply by living in a neighborhood zoned for automatic entry.

Mount Pleasant, James Island, and Summerville are Zoned for the

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