Found 18 blog entries tagged as real estate tips.

What is the HOA?

The Homeowners' Association (HOA), is an organization that is common among many developments such as gated communities, or housing subdivisions. The association is generally comprised of homeowners who have volunteered to serve as members of the HOA board. Therefore, they are responsible for providing regulations for the maintenance of the community, that residents within the community adhere to. With these regulations also come HOA fees, which pay for the upkeep of common areas around the neighborhood. According to the Community Associations Institute, about 20% of Americans live in a community that is regulated by a homeowners, condo associations, or co-op board.

What Exactly Do HOA Fees Cover?

The HOA fees can range from about…

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One of the most common questions homeowners have before listing their Staten Island home for sale relates to the selling price. Understanding the value of the home is not just comparing the square footage of the space with other homes that have recently sold in the area. While there are many factors that will play a part in a selling price, there is a reason why listing descriptions say "location, location, location." The location of your home for sale can bring it home for buyers and here is why:

Neighboring Properties

The properties that are located next to the home for sale are critical to the property value. For example, a home that is located next to Westerleigh Park or another beautifully maintained home may have more appeal than a home…

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Whether you are listing your home or you are buying the Staten Island home of your dreams - you are given a handful of paperwork to fill out and sign. But do you understand any of it? Well one of the important pieces of paperwork that is given to homeowners and buyer is the lead paint disclosure form. 

Before 1978, most homes and condominiums built had lead-based paint. Throughout the years, as many paints do, it chips or deteriorates and turns to lead dust which causes a serious health problem. It's important for Staten Island first time homebuyers to get an understanding of the lead-based hazards they may encounter. 

"Congress passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, also known as Title X, to protect families from…

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By: Adam Bronko, New York State Licensed Real Estate Salesperson bronkohomes.com   "I don't need an agent to help me buy my home. I'm better off negotiating directly with the seller's agent" REALLY??? WHY???

The real estate market can be, at times, a tumultuous market; especially when it comes to the buying side of the deal. Real estate transactions can become be very complicated. Navigating through the ins and outs of a real estate transaction can be daunting. So why do so many home buyers think that they can sort through buying process without the assistance of a licensed professional?

In order to answer this question we must first understand what a buyer agent does. A buyer agent's responsibilities include:

  • Conducting customized…

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It's never too early to think about or plan to buy real estate. Aside from saving as much as possible, it is vital to establish good credit and make sure to keep your credit blemish free.

Here are some suggestions to establishing good credit:

  1. For the college students - if your parents have good credit and pay bills on time ask to piggy bank onto their charge account to gain positive credit ratings.
  2. Get your own minimal charge card or two. Usually a gas card or department store card is an easy one for a new applicant to secure.
  3. Don't pay your new charge card off entirely each month. Pay the minimum for a few months then pay it off. Repeat this process. Credit bureaus like to see this.
  4. College loans help establish credit. Pay them on time…

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Holiday season is here and sellers have numerous real estate questions on their minds. Should I keep my property on the market? Should I list now or after the holidays? When is the best time to list?

It was originally thought that listing your property during the holidays was not the wise decision. However, with the Internet and potential buyers constantly on their phones, this forces the old logic to hold off until after the holidays out the window. Zillow said it best, "As a result of the Internet, our hectic schedules and mobile lifestyles, the fall months are no longer a real estate dead zone...There’s plenty of action happening after Labor Day through Christmas. The reality is, the home buying season is now year-round."

Today's serious buyers…

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When you are constantly on the go, the best information is the kind you can access at the touch of your finger. You constantly read reviews and waste time on apps to see which works best. These are 10 apps that will make your real estate experience easier.

1. Evernote: Have too many business cards and want to consolidate? Brought to us by LinkedIn - Evernote allows you to transfer scans of business cards and the app will transcribe the cards into a detailed contact list. You can also send LinkedIn requests using the information provided. Perfect for networking! Originally CardMunch (which will be discontinued as of July 11).

 

2. DocuSign: "The complete solution for managing real estate transaction." You can sign documents, send documents out…

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Now that the title search is complete and you have your mortgage commitment signed, you are ready to set a closing date.

When setting a closing date, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, most people decide to close at the end of the month. The reason behind this desire is due to the fact that there is prepaid interest due at closing. This means that at closing, you are required to pay the interest for the month you are closing. The prepaid interest is calculated from the date you close until the end of that month. For example, if you close on the March 14th, you will pay interest from that date until March 31st. If you close on March 30th, you will pay interest until March 31st, or only one day’s worth of interest. Closing towards the end…

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By: Daniel Boxman of United Northern, NMLS ID# 1077102

What is a home appraisal and why do lenders need to know my home’s value?

An appraisal is a report that outlines an appraiser’s professional opinion of your property’s value at a specific point in time, based on specific factors. These factors include the location of the property, square footage, age and room count. The appraiser will also take into account what comparable properties have recently sold for in your area. 

Whether you’re refinancing or buying, a bank must have a good idea of the value of your home because it determines your maximum approvable loan amount. Once they have your home’s value, they can determine your loan-to-value ratio. Your loan-to-value ratio is one of the…

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There are some unexpected problems when buying real estate.  Generally, these issues revolve around plumbing, wiring or sticking doors and windows.  Although they aren’t as expensive to fix, there’s always a possibility that they lead to bigger problems. 

Sticking Doors/Windows

Check the hinges and locks.  Spotting wear and tear on doors and windows is fairly easy. Squeaking hinges or locks that stick indicates wear on seals and metal. 

Although sticking doors and windows aren’t a big deal in and of themselves, these issues can be indications of moderate to severe foundation problems. If you find these issues in real estate, make your way to the basement and look for cracks or dips in the floors and walls. If you’re at all uneasy, have an…

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