Working With Either an Online or Local Lender—Which Do You Choose?

Is using an online mortgage lender a viable option or would you be better off going with someone local? Find the answer in today’s message.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

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You’ve decided to buy a home. Congratulations! The next decision to be made is who will help you in that endeavor—an online or local lender? No matter which you choose, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each.

In the ‘pro’ column for going the online route, you can take advantage of the Keller Williams Mortgage. Their online application is easy and painless, and you won’t have any closing costs whatsoever. What’s more, you’ll get money back at closing.

In addition to this, online brokerages are often less stringent with their credit score requirements. If yours isn’t quite up to par, you can expect greater flexibility with a lender you find online.

Now, for the drawbacks: For one thing, your risk of falling prey to online fraud and scammers is greatly increased. Anything you do online with all of your sensitive information is not without risk. By sitting down with a local lender and filling out an application the old fashioned way, with pen and paper, you’re free from the potential dangers of online tricksters.

The bottom line is the choice is yours, but take note of the fact that the best rate isn’t always the best deal.

Another thing to consider is that online mortgage lenders are more apt to approve you for more than you should buy. Just because you qualify for a certain loan amount doesn’t mean you should be spending that kind of money. When you meet with a local lender, on the other hand, they’ll tell you the unvarnished truth and help you reach a decision that’s in your best financial interest.

Not only that, but online lenders are also often less accessible to answer your questions or address an issue, should something go awry. It’s nice to know that you can physically meet with your lender and have an eye-to-eye conversation in such cases.

The bottom line is the choice is yours, but take note of the fact that the best rate isn’t always the best deal. It really boils down to who you’re working with and whether they have your best interest at heart.

We at the Charlotte Mabry Team would be happy to make a recommendation to you if you’re trying to decide on a mortgage lender. For help with that or if you have any other questions related to real estate, just send me an email at Charlotte@CharlotteMabryTeam.com or give us a call at 423-593-5588. I hope to hear from you soon!

Go Into the Final Walk-Through of Your New Home Prepared

You’re a few days away from closing on your new home, and it’s time to do one last walk-through.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

You’re a few days away from closing on your new home, and it’s time to do one last walk-through. Rather than going it blind, you’ll want to know what to look for. Keep an eye out for these items:

First of all, be sure to conduct your last walk-through before the official closing date. You’ll set yourself up for a much smoother closing day if you opt to walk through the property the day before instead. If water has seeped into the home, for example, you don’t want that to go undetected right up until the day of closing because it’ll leave you with virtually no time to address the issue.

Next, take a careful look at all the electrical outlets in the home, and as a supplementary bit of advice, bring a hair dryer or your phone charger along with you to check that each outlet is functioning.

The final walk-through also gives you a chance to make sure that everything from the former homeowners has been moved out. When scheduling your move-in time, make sure to do so with the seller’s schedule in mind.

This is an opportunity to ensure that major items are in working order and everything is still standing rather than an opportunity to inspect every nook and cranny of the property.

There are a lot of emotions at play during this time, and unwelcome surprises are the last thing you want one day before move-in. Many buyers walk into their new home for one last look, only to find that it’s not how they remembered it.

That’s because they’re remembering a beautifully staged property and, without all the staging materials, it appears much more bare. Be prepared for that and keep in mind that once you’ve moved your belongings in, it’s going to look like a home again. Lastly, treat the walk-through as an opportunity to ensure that major items are in working order and everything is still standing rather than an opportunity to inspect every nook and cranny of the property.

As you venture into the home buying process, you need to work alongside a buyer’s specialist who’s looking out for your best interest. At the Charlotte Mabry Team, that’s one of the things we do best. If you’d more information on the process, please send me an email at Charlotte@CharlotteMabryTeam.com or give me a call at 423-593-5588. I hope to hear from you soon!

5 Reasons to Sell Your Home in 2019

Taking the plunge and selling your home is a big step, and for some, it’s one that takes some convincing.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

If you’re searching for reasons to sell your home in 2019, I have five of them for you today:

1. Low inventory. Before long, you’re going to find yourself in a more crowded field of listings. We’re coming out of a years-long period of little to no inventory—particularly in the below-$300,000 price ranges. Now that inventory is picking up steam once again, competition is going to become stiffer, so get out in front of that competition.

2. Cash equity. Right now, your home is likely worth more than it has been in years. Taking advantage of all that equity in your home is an easy call to make.

3. Demand remains high for homes at $300,000 and under. If you’re somewhere in the $100,000 to $200,000 range, now’s your best chance to sell your home for a very handsome price.

Now that inventory is picking up steam once again, competition is going to become stiffer, so get out in front of that competition.

4. Mortgage rates are still low. Although inventory is swelling and homes are spending longer periods on the market, our current low rates are conducive to securing a great purchase price on your new home.

5. Millennials are stepping into the market. This phenomenon helps move the lower price ranges so that move-up buyers can get into the middle ranges, which further drives activity upward. This has been a missing piece in our market up until now, but throngs of millennials are hitting the market and they’re ready to buy.

If you'd like to learn more about getting the most money in the least amount of time from your home sale, our team has all the information you need. You’re welcome to send us an email to Charlotte@CharlotteMabryTeam.com or give us a call at 423-593-5588. I look forward to helping you sell your home in 2019!