The Importance of a Home Inspection for Home SellersA home inspection is a near-standard part of the home-buying process, from fixer-uppers to upgraded oceanfront homes this offers buyers peace of mind knowing that the investment they plan to make is a good one. But what happens if, as a seller, one of the prospective buyers orders a home inspection and the report comes back poorly? Take a deep breath, and read on. Here are some tips and guidelines to navigate this difficult predicament even in hot markets such as Manasquan, NJ.

Take Time to Plan

Both buyers and sellers want the home buying process to go along as quickly as possible. This means that sellers are provided with a little time to get a home inspection and deal with the results, but sometimes this is not enough. There are a handful…

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What Not to Forget Before Closing on a HouseReal estate is selling quickly these days, especially in hot housing markets such as Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. In some markets, homeowners barely have time to catch their breath between listing and signing a contract. Closings in some areas are equally swift and, no matter how prepared you might be for that upcoming move into your new oceanfront home, there are a lot of details to handle. Here's a preliminary checklist to help smooth the way for you, and to assure that the buyers actually get the house they expect:

Keep Up With Landscape Maintenance 

You may not have much enthusiasm for yard work once you know you're moving on, but there isn't a buyer on earth who wouldn't be disappointed and justifiably upset to drive up to a lawn that's…

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Becoming a Homeowner with a Low Credit ScoreSometimes life takes unexpected twists and turns, and these changes can result in not having the ability to stay current with your bills. Over time, this situation could lead to a lower credit score, and while that might not affect a renter, it’s a big deal for someone who wants to purchase a luxury or waterfront home.

Rather than giving up on the dream of home ownership in Bay Head or surrounding ares, there are many programs available to assist those who have had to overcome challenges with their finances. Let’s explore a few options for home ownership even with a low credit score.

Different Scores For Different Programs

There are many mortgage programs available to help those with less than perfect credit, but two in particular are very…

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Buying a Home with a Septic Tank Buying a home in a some areas, even luxury and waterfront homes, can often mean owning a home with an on-site septic system. With no available municipal sewer service in most rural areas, on-site septic systems provide an efficient, low-maintenance way to handle and process home waste in a sanitary manner. Although designs can vary, depending on the soil, location, and other specific details regarding the home, most on-site septic systems consist of a waste pipe, a septic tank or tanks, and a drain field to filter the resulting effluent safely into the soil. When these systems are functioning properly and have been correctly designed and installed, there is little evidence of their existence visible above the level of the soil.

Before buying a…

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When the budget is small, getting a house that's right may be a challenge––but that doesn't mean it can't be done. There are plenty of options in housing markets such as Bay Head, NJ for people who have small budgets, even when they want a waterfront property that really makes them happy and that they can love and enjoy for a long time.

By considering all the possibilities and exploring options that might not have been thought about before, the chances of getting a house that's a good fit is much higher. Before any buyer with a tight budget gives up on finding a house, they should carefully consider what they may be able to do with that particular budget.

How Tight is the Budget?

Tight budgets may mean different things to different people. For…

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Kitchen Changes Before Selling Almost every home can benefit from a few improvements, and one of the places potential buyers really scrutinize is the kitchen. This may leave sellers thinking they need a full remodel. Not only is such a gesture expensive, but it also does not have a great return on investment.

That does not mean sellers should ignore the kitchen, however. Making smaller kitchen improvements can improve sale prices and decrease the amount of time it takes to sell a home. Bay Head area buyers are impressed with stylish features, so start with improving elements which look most dated.

Have a Theme

Buyers often look for a visual theme tying rooms together that creates a flow or luxurious feel to an otherwise perfect waterfront home. Colors should complement one…

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Financial Ratios for Loans Prospective buyers preparing to purchase a home in Bay Head or surrounding areas sometimes focus solely on whether they can fit the payment into their monthly budget and scrape up enough cash to cover a small down payment and closing costs. But even when there seems to be enough available cash in the budget to meet a monthly mortgage payment of that oceanfront dream home, there can also be a serious debt-to-income issue capable of killing the joy of owning a home. 

To understand how this relates to your specific home buying situation, speak with your lender and/or a financial advisor.

Understanding Debt-to-Income

Basically defined as the portion of the monthly household income that is assigned to meeting debt payments, most financial gurus…

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For those who have ever closed on a mortgage before, you know that on top of all the complicated ins and outs of selecting a mortgage, there is a ton of paperwork to bring in, look at, and sign. This guide can help buyers with what kinds of documents are needed and which disclosures will be received during the process.

Documents to Gather

Prospective buyers in the Bay Head area may hear from friends and family members that it takes forever to get approved for a mortgage. The timing lies almost entirely in the underwriting process, where the lender has to verify the information written in the application. If all necessary documents are gathered beforehand and provided with the application, it will take less time.

Employment

The means of…

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Home Wish List When thinking of buying a home in Bay Head or surrounding areas, most people probably have a long list of wants for that house. The reality, however, is that it can be unrealistic to look for a home with literally everything on the wish list.

Even if a buyer can afford every desired feature, such as oceanfront, luxury, with a pool, etc..., the simple fact is it’s rare to find a home that fits that long list of requirements. As such, buyers should prioritize expectations, isolating a handful of needs from a much larger collection of wants.

Identifying Wants

The categorization process can be painful. Consider these approaches if you're having trouble:

  • Require justification for it: Having four members in the household is certainly a good…

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Credit Model Adjustments Most people know they have a credit score and that lenders, including mortgage lenders, review it during a loan process. But it is less common to fully understand how a credit score is determined, what it predicts, and how this can affect your waterfront home buying process. 

Credit scores are statistical formulations that predict a person's credit worthiness. Lenders all over the country use them to decide whether or not to extend credit, the amount of credit they will extend, and the terms of the loan. Consumers in Manasquan, NJ and all over the country who manage their finances responsibly and pay their bills on time enjoy high credit scores that are attractive to lenders. A high credit score can literally save them thousands of dollars over their…

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