A Guide to FHA Loans and How Homeowners can Utilize ThemWhen it comes to financing a home, there are several options to consider. One of them is a conventional mortgage, but there are also other types of financing such as a VA or USDA loan. These alternative financing options are still very common, and they provide buyers who may not be able to get a conventional mortgage with the option to buy a house and get financed.

If you plan on using an FHA mortgage, it's important to understand the benefits you may get from doing so along with the specific requirements that will need to be met. With this information, the home buying process can be handled more smoothly.

What is the FHA?

The FHA, or the Federal Housing Administration is a government organization that helps make home buying in Avon by the…

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How to Paint your Home's Exterior Before Selling to Enhance Home Sale ValueFor homeowners who are only familiar with painting rooms, painting a home’s exterior can seem like another beast entirely. But don’t worry, exterior painting is mostly the same as interior painting—it just requires extra planning and preparation to be successful. Here are seven essential tips for getting the job done and give your Atlantic Highlands home an edge in the competitive real estate market. 

1. Check the Weather

Painting a home’s exterior is a project that will likely take more than one day to complete, so make sure to check the weekly forecast around your oceanfront home. If it starts to rain, it could ruin the paint, and if there’s wind, it could blow dirt and leaves onto the fresh paint. Make sure to do exterior painting on a…

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How to Know When Home Improvements are a Bad IdeaThere are many good reasons to spend money to add upgrades to a home. But there are also times when it pays to put the brakes on luxury home improvements. Knowing the difference can not only save you money, but it might save you the heartache of losing hard-earned cash or, in a worst case scenario, losing your home.

It all depends on your reasons for renovation.

Here are some things to consider before you tackle any renovation project:

  • Think about the finished product: A complete kitchen renovation, for instance, might take up to three months or even longer. Just how long can you live without a home-cooked meal? Think about approaching the job in stages, or at least discuss the timeline -- and the disruption -- in detail before the work…

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Putting Down Money For A Down PaymentThe average homebuyer rarely pays the full price for a home outright without working with a lender to secure a mortgage. However, whether is buyer is purchasing their first fixer-upper or an upgraded luxury estate, some money must be paid or put down. The down payment simply is a portion of the purchase price of a home, and it's typically expressed as a percentage. The remainder of the payment to the seller comes from the mortgage secured by the homebuyer.

How Much Do You Need for a Home Down Payment?

For many years, prospective homebuyers were told they needed to have a 20 percent down payment when purchasing a property. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and a 2017 Aspiring Home Buyers Profile report, 39 percent of…

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