Monthly Archives: November 2015

Buying a Home

Is An Older Home A Better Value Than A New One?

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Well, as this story shows, there isn’t a definitive answer to this question. You should look at each home for its individual characteristics.

Generally, older homes may be in more established neighborhoods offer more ambiance and have lower property tax rates. People who buy older homes, however shouldn’t mind maintaining their home and making some repairs.

Newer homes tend to use more modern architecture and systems are usually easier to maintain and may be more energy-efficient. People who buy new homes often don’t want to worry initially about upkeep and repairs.

Buying a Home

What Questions Should I Ask When Looking At Homes?

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As you’ll see in this video, many of your questions should focus on potential problems and maintenance issues.

Does anything need to be replaced? What things require ongoing maintenance like paint, roof, heating and AC, appliances and carpet?

Also ask about the house and neighborhood focusing on quality of life issues. Be sure the seller’s or real estate agent’s answers are clear and complete.

Like the video says, ask questions until you understand all of the information they’ve given.

Making a list of questions ahead of time will help you organize your thoughts and arrange all of the information you receive. The HUD Home Scorecard can help you develop your question list and keep a record for each potential home.

Buying a Home

How Can I Keep Track Of All The Homes I See?

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There are some great tips in this video, like:

if possible, take photographs of each house: the outside, the major rooms, the yard and extra features that you like or ones you see as potential problems.

Write things down as you go. And don’t hesitate to return for a second look.

Use the HUD Home Scorecard (www.hud.gov/buying/checklist.pdf) to organize your photos and notes for each house.

Buying a Home

What Should I Look For When Walking Through A Home?

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As we show you in this video, in addition to comparing the home to your minimum requirement and wish lists use the HUD Home Scorecard and consider the following:

  • Is there enough room for both the present and the future?
  • Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
  • Is the house structurally sound?
  • Do the mechanical systems and appliances work?
  • Is the yard big enough?
  • Do you like the floor plan?
  • Will your furniture fit in the space?
  • Is there enough storage space?

Bring a tape measure to better answer these questions and write down your measurements.

  • Does anything need to repaired or replaced?
  • Will the seller repair or replace the items?

Imagine the house in good weather and bad and in each season. Will you be happy with it year-round? Take your time and think carefully about each house you see. Keep the scorecard and notes for each one.

Network News

What the Future Holds for FAN and the Title Industry

Earlier this month, the Florida Agency Network announced plans to invest $5.18 million into expanding its corporate headquarters currently located in Plant City.

Florida Agency Network CEO, Aaron M. Davis, spoke with the Plant City Economic Development Corporation to go into depth on why the Network plans to stay in Plant City, the future of the title insurance industry and Davis’s vision for the future of FAN.

Click here to watch the full video.

To read more on the Florida Agency Network’s expansion plans, click here.

New Hires

Florida Agency Network Welcomes Andrea Somers to the Team

Andrea Somers

Andrea Somers

Compliance Officer, Florida Agency Network

As a licensed title agent in the State of Florida with over 14 years of experience, Andrea Somers has the knowledge and experience to provide guidance on compliance requirements within the Florida Agency Network.

Entering the title world in 2001, Andrea worked her way through the ranks to become National Vendor Manager at TransContinental Title Company. In her role, Andrea managed third-party vendors nationwide, including all notary signing agents and title abstractors. In 2010, she began managing several different departments with New House Title, LLC, including Contracts, Processing, Closing, Funding, and Post Closing.

In her spare time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family while relaxing at the beach or checking out local food festivals.

Click here to congratulate and welcome Andrea to the FAN family!

 

 

Buying a Home

How Can I Find Out About Schools & Community Resources?

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The video puts this in more visual terms, but basically, contact the local Chamber of Commerce for promotional literature or talk to your real estate agent about welcome kits, maps, and other information.

You can get information about school systems by contacting the city or county school board or the local schools.

You may also want to visit the local library. It can be an excellent source for information on local events and resources and the librarians will probably be able to answer many of the questions you have.

Buying a Home, Realtor Services

Why Use A REALTOR®

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A state license is required to sell real estate. But roughly half of those licensed take the additional step of becoming a REALTOR®.

As we show you in this video, only members of the National Association of Realtors – NAR – are entitled to use that registered trademark and call themselves a REALTOR®.

As members, they adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and have access to classes, seminars and certification. Their aim is to be experts in their community aware of real estate trends and local and neighborhood issues. They apply that expertise to help buyers and sellers succeed.

You can find a certified REALTOR® by looking in local sources asking around or searching here.

Buying a Home

How Does Purchasing A Home Compare With Renting?

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Like the video says, the two don’t really compare at all.

The one advantage of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity take advantage of tax benefits and protect yourself against rent increases.Also, you may be at the mercy of the landlord for housing.

Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity increasing YOUR net worth.
Owning a home also qualifies you for tax breaks that assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities like insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home they are worth it.