Posts Tagged ‘Home Buying’

• Jun 3

  Buying a Home in San Diego: Scripps Ranch

  Scripps Ranch is an upscale neighborhood in San Diego that’s perfect for families and singles alike. While it’s primarily known for its status as a bedroom community in San Diego, it has many distinguishing features of its own that make it a great place for buying a home.

   

  Scripps Ranch is home to just under 35,000 people. While there’s a large diversity in terms of age in the area, the median age is 39.5. The area has been growing, with a population increase of about 15 percent since 2000. Many families live in the area, but it’s also home to a number of single people.

   

  The city has an interesting history – originally, it was owned by E.W. Scripps, a prominent newspaper publisher. Originally the site of his winter home, the land eventually became a small community located near San Diego. Many of the original trees planted by Scripps’s gardeners are still in the area.

   

  The median price of a home in Scripps Ranch is $427,000 and has been falling very slightly for the last year. With only 64 foreclosures, it may not be the best area for flipping homes, but the area offers many fantastic values for people looking to relocate.
  People in Scripps Ranch enjoy participating in a variety of fun local activities, from hiking and boating at Lake Miramar to enjoying the town’s many community fairs and events. The Scripps Ranch Civic Association plans tons of town events, from a Fourth of July parade to a Spring Community Fair.

   

  Children in Scripps Ranch can go to one of four elementary schools, and eventually they finish up at Scripps Ranch High School, which is nationally ranked. Although Scripps Ranch itself has only one small higher education facility, the greater San Diego area offers many opportunities for post-secondary education.

   

  Several major companies are headquartered in Scripps Ranch, including Hitachi, LG Electronics and Lockheed Martin. However, most adults in the community work in San Diego rather than in Scripps Ranch itself.

   

  If you’re thinking about buying a home and relocating to San Diego, Scripps Ranch is a wonderful neighborhood. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community, as well as fantastic schools and great homes.

   

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying, San Diego real estate
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• Jun 1

  Buying a Home in Connecticut: Hartford

  Are you thinking about heading to Connecticut and buying a home? Look no further than Hartford. From its long legacy as a classic American town to its wonderful architecture and houses, Hartford is a great city for buying a home.

  Hartford is currently the third-largest city in Connecticut, just behind Bridgeport and New Haven. It’s the seventh-largest city in New England as a whole, with a population of just under 125,000. The city boasts a long history of American firsts, from the first public park to the first public art museum.

  Hartford is a major component of the so-called “Knowledge Corridor” along with its sister city, Springfield, Massachusetts. Many notable companies are headquartered in this area, including Spalding and Yankee Candle. The area is also home to many higher education institutes, from two-year schools to nationally-recognized four-year schools such as Wesleyan University.

  Homes in Hartford are reasonably priced – the median for home prices is around $130,000. Hartford is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own average price. The neighborhoods are diverse, and each has its own distinguishing features.

  Historically, Hartford has served as headquarters for many insurance companies, giving the city the nickname “Insurance City.” Many of them still remain there, including Aetna and The Phoenix Companies. The insurance industry helped Hartford build up its reputation as a knowledge center and also helped boost the GDP to over $100 billion a year for the combined Springfield-Hartford area.

  Hartford is a great city for buying a home if you’re interested in cultural events and spaces. The city is notable for its many historic buildings and monuments. Many classic examples of colonial architecture still stand, and many are open to the public. In addition, the city has many notable entertainment options, from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra to the Tony award-winning Hartford Stage.

  Buying a home in Hartford gives you many options for enjoying some of the best parts of Connecticut. This diverse city manages to maintain a small-town feel throughout the different neighborhoods, but it also has all the amenities of a large city. Hartford is an outstanding place to raise a family – so if you’re relocating to Connecticut, consider Hartford.

  Tags: buying a home, Connecticut real estate, Home Buying
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• May 26

  How To Choose Your Connecticut Real Estate Agent

  People from Connecticut have different needs and wants when it comes to real estate agents. Whether you’re buying or selling in Connecticut, your real estate agent can make all the difference in the world. Find the best real estate agent for you by following these quick tips:

   

  ●      Schedule an appointment. Don’t count on blind luck when looking for a great agent. Sitting down with a few agents can help you get a feel for how they work and how they’ll treat you. Make sure you ask them questions about their past clients – and be sure to get references. Generally speaking, the way your agent treated past clients is the way they’ll treat you.

   

  ●      Make sure they’re in the neighborhood. Your real estate agent doesn’t actually have to live in the same neighborhood, but an agent that focuses on your area will be better equipped to sell your home – or find your dream home! Connecticut neighborhoods are incredibly diverse, so an agent who works in the neighborhood you’re interested in can save you time and even money.

   

  ●      Are they in your price range? We’re not talking commission here (although we’ll get to that) – we’re talking about the price of your home. Real estate agents handle a variety of homes, but some agents have more experience with expensive homes. Others don’t. If you’re trying to sell a million-dollar mansion, you’ll want a real estate agent who can handle the challenge. Likewise, a less expensive home may not need all the bells and whistles that come along with some real estate agents.

   

  ●      Fees and commissions. Most real estate agents charge a 3 percent commission – with another 3 percent going to the buyer’s/seller’s agent. However, these rates are typically negotiable. When you’re looking for a real estate agent, let them know you want to negotiate right out of the gate. You can weed out the agents who aren’t interested in taking the drop in commission and find somebody who’s right for you.

   

  It doesn’t matter if you’re buying or selling – the right real estate agent can make any real estate transaction a snap. Just make sure you’re working with a great Connecticut agent and the rest will fall into place.

  Tags: buying a home, Connecticut real estate, finding an agent, Home Buying
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• May 25

  Buying a Home for Retirement

  Retirement is a fun and festive occasion – from buying a home to the joys of having plenty of time off, you’re sure to enjoy this new phase of life. If you’re retiring and you want to buy a property specifically for your retirement, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:

   

  ●      Choose an awesome location. Where you choose to retire is important. Do you want to be near your family? Are you interested in living in a place with nice weather? Consider San Diego for a variety of fun retirement activities in gorgeous locales. From biking and boating to beaches to parks, San Diego has it all. The weather is gorgeous year-round, and that makes the city a prime destination for people of all ages. If you’re looking for a pleasant retirement destination, San Diego is one of the best.

   

  ●      Pick your price. If you’re selling your current home and buying a home for retirement, you’ll want to make sure you’re in good shape financially. You might consider choosing a less expensive home and paying cash up front. However, financing can also be an option – as long as you’re careful. Whatever you do, don’t buy more home than you can afford.

   

  ●      Decide how big your home needs to be. Although many retired couples choose a large home to have space for the kids and grandkids, you need to remember that your family won’t be visiting every week. You may not need a huge home to accommodate them all – and they’ll visit even if your house is smaller. Getting a large house just for the rest of the family means you’ll pay more and spend more time performing or paying for maintenance.

   

  ●      Now or later? If retirement is still a few years away, you should decide whether or not you’re interested in buying a home for retirement. While buying it now may save you some money in an appreciating real estate market, your investments may be worth more to you over the next couple of years. Building up your cash might make your retirement easier and make buying a home less challenging.

   

  Whether you decide to live in San Diego or Salem, retirement is a fantastic time. Make sure you’re ready for retirement by deciding where you’ll live and how you’ll buy your home.

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying, retirement
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• May 24

  Buying a Home In San Diego: La Jolla

  If you’re thinking about buying a home in San Diego, you’ll want to research different neighborhoods to determine the best location for you and your family. One popular San Diego neighborhood is La Jolla. Although the homes tend to be pricey, it’s an excellent place to live if you have the money.

   

  According to Trulia.com, the average market price for a home in La Jolla is around $2.5 million, with a median price just shy of $900,000. There are currently 121 foreclosures in the area, so you may be able to pick up a home for less than market price – but it will certainly be more expensive than many other homes in San Diego. In fact, La Jolla boasted the highest home prices in the country for 2008 and 2009.

   

  However, if you want beachfront views in a great area, you really can’t beat La Jolla. There are over ten beaches in the area, from a children’s area to a nude beach – although there are less specialized beaches that the whole family can enjoy. You can find sandy beaches and rocky beaches, and tons of areas are open to the public.

   

  The University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, so many professors live and work in the area. If you’re buying a home in La Jolla, you can also check out the Torrey Pines Golf Course, famous for being one of the stops on the PGA Tour. If you’re into art, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, a nationally-recognized museum, is located in the area.

   

  Although La Jolla was initially known for its anti-Semitic housing practices, the neighborhood opened up substantially in the 1960s when UCSD opened its doors. The neighborhood is currently home to a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures and is no longer the exclusive, isolated place that it once was.

   

  Children who live in La Jolla attend schools in the San Diego Unified School District. La Jolla Elementary School and La Jolla High School are the main public schools, but there are also a wide variety of private schools in the area.

   

  Buying a home in La Jolla is a great investment – from the amazing public spaces to the wonderful schools, raising a family in this part of San Diego couldn’t be easier or more enjoyable. If you’re relocating to San Diego, consider buying a home in La Jolla.

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying, San Diego real estate
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• May 22

  Buying a Home in Connecticut: New Haven

  As the sixth-largest city in New England (and the second-largest city in Connecticut), New Haven is a great place for buying a home. The city is growing quickly – from 2000 to 2010 it experienced a growth rate higher than did the state as a whole. It’s an excellent place for raising a family. Children in the area attend New Haven Public Schools, although there are a number of private school options for interested families. Most of the children that attend private schools in the area come from New Haven and its various suburbs, although some students come from out of town.

   

  New Haven has an interesting history with tons of cultural significance for America. Its location along the harbor made it a very strategic place for the settlers of the area. New Haven has been around since 1640 and was one of the first cities to have a city plan from the beginning. Its original “9 Square” plan is recognized as being historically important.

   

  The city is also home to Yale, one of the first universities in the country and a member of the Ivy League. In fact, many of Yale’s graduates have had a huge impact on the area, starting with Eli Whitney and his cotton gin. Yale is New Haven’s largest employer.

   

  New Haven’s climate is typical of New England, featuring cold, snowy winters and fairly hot summers. The city’s weather is hospitable to trees, and once upon a time New Haven was nicknamed “Elm City.” Many of the elms died off when Dutch elm disease swept across North America in the middle of the 20th century, but New Haven – home of the nation’s oldest tree-planting program – continues to value its trees. The city has pledged to plant over 10,000 trees in the next 5 years.

   

  The average home price in New Haven is $234,000, with the median home price hovering around $147,000, according to Trulia.com. Home prices are highest in the East Rock, Wooster Square and Prospect Hill neighborhoods. You may be able to find a bargain in West Rock or Newhallville. There are currently 159 foreclosures in the area, a fairly high rate for the state of Connecticut. This may make buying a home easier, since you can often save money when you buy a foreclosure.

   

  New Haven is an excellent Connecticut city with good schools and fairly inexpensive homes. If you’ve been thinking about moving to Connecticut, visit New Haven – perhaps it’s just the city you’ve been looking for.

  Tags: buying a home, Connecticut real estate, Home Buying
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• May 19

  5 Tips for Singles When Buying A Home

  More and more single people are looking at buying a home these days, particularly since people are waiting until later in life to get married and start a family. If you’re thinking about buying a home and you’re single, you’ll want to make sure you follow these 5 tips to make sure you get the home of your dreams:

  1.    Think about your future needs. Buying a home when you’re single doesn’t mean you should get a one-bedroom, one-bathroom house and call it a day. Instead, think about the future – a two-bedroom home will be easier to sell and give you room to expand at a later date if you so choose.

  2.    Don’t get too much space. Of course, don’t swing in the opposite direction and choose a home that’s too large. One person is just one set of hands, and you may find you’re soon overwhelmed with maintenance. Consider a condo or town home that gives you the space you need, but with fewer maintenance demands.

  3.    Location matters. As a single, you can think more creatively about where your house is located. Although you may want to consider it, buying a home in a good school district may not be your first priority. You can look at nontraditional home locations, from urban centers to country homes.

  4.    Get a good real estate agent. It’s important to work with a good real estate agent when you’re buying a home, whether or not you’re single. Your agent should be able to help you find homes that meet your criteria, especially if they’re a local real estate agent. They’ll be able to point you towards neighborhoods and homes with amenities that are perfect for singles.

  5.    Consider getting a roommate. You may be able to get a larger home (that you can later resell more easily) if you have a roommate. This will take the overall cost of the mortgage down and give you more space to occupy later, if you need it.

  Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you have to wait to purchase the home of your dreams. If you’re ready to buy a home, don’t put it off – get out there and start looking today!

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying
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• May 12

  Which Features Matter When Buying A Home?

  Before buying a home, it can be helpful to sit down and consider which features are important to you. Making a list of your wants and needs in your dream home can help you narrow down your choices during your home search. When you’re buying a home, use these tips to help you figure out which features should go on your list:

  • Needs vs. wants. Each family will have certain things they want when buying a home. The challenging part is deciding which features are needs and which ones are wants. If you have a family, safety may be your top priority, so a single-level house may be a must for you. If you’re a cook, you might need a renovated kitchen. Upgraded bathrooms or hardwood floors might go on your “wants” list – they’d be nice, but you’d be willing to compromise if you found a house that didn’t include these features.
  • Talk it over with your family. If you’re married or have kids, you should consult them when deciding on which features your dream home should have. Your partner might want a large garden (and thus need a back yard), while families with children would consider the school districts in the area.
  • Think about whether your needs are always necessary. You might be able to compromise on some of your needs. For example, a shady home with many trees and ceiling fans might not need air conditioning (especially in cooler cities). You might not need a large front yard if the home has a big back yard. Be ready to be flexible on your list – remember, it’s a guideline, not a definitive set of rules.
  • Take your list to an open house (or five!). If you’re looking into buying a home, going to an open house can be the best way to judge if the home has all the things you want and need. Make sure you bring your physical list with you to the open house. You don’t want to overlook a feature because you didn’t have your list with you.

  If you’re buying a house, making a list of features that you want and need can help you decide which house to purchase. Particularly if you’ve looked at a lot of homes, a list can help you narrow down your choices until you’re left with the perfect house for you.

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying
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• May 10

  Should You Buy A Home If You’re Single?

  When it comes to buying a home, it seems like most of the attention goes to young families and just-married couples. However, singles have tons of buying power – and with people getting married later and later in life, why should singles wait to find the home of their dreams? There are tons of things to consider when buying a home if you’re single, including:

  • Buying a home is real estate investing. The phrase “real estate investing” often brings to mind images of older men sitting at desks in fancy suits, but real estate investing can be as simple as buying a home. If you’re planning to sell the home for more than you paid for it, you’re a real estate investor.
  • Shop around. Before you commit to buying a home, make sure your finances are in order. Do some comparison shopping with various lenders to see if you qualify and if so, what your monthly payments will be. Ensuring that you can follow through with a purchase is the first step toward owning a home.
  • Make sure you can maintain a property. One person living in a home means one set of hands to do all the work. A single person may be more comfortable in a town home or condominium that has a homeowner’s association. From mowing the lawn to snow removal, buying a home brings a lot of potential maintenance.
  • Don’t expect results overnight. As a single buyer, it may take a little longer to find the perfect home. Most properties are geared towards small families, so a one-bedroom, one-bathroom home may be hard to find.
  • Make sure you look serious. A single buyer is apt to raise more questions than a couple looking for a home. You may find some people are curious or cautious about a single person buying a home. Make sure you have a good real estate agent and that you dress professionally for any real estate meetings. A confident attitude can go a long way towards dispelling any uneasy feelings people may have.

  Don’t wait to find your dream home – if you want to have the freedom and responsibility of buying a home, then get started today.

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying
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• May 5

  Best Questions To Ask A Potential Real Estate Agent

  Buying a home is a challenge. But what if there was a magic wand that could make the entire process less stressful? For many people, a real estate agent can do just that. Of course, before you hire a real estate agent, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best person for the job. From looking at past experience to making sure you “click,” here are the questions you should be asking before you choose a real estate agent:

  • What’s your fee? Finding out the fee upfront can save you down the road. Even though your real estate agent is working for you, it can benefit them when you pay more (since an agent’s commission is typically a percentage of the sales price). Keep in mind that all real estate fees are negotiable when buying a home, but it may be faster to simply use another real estate agent.
  • How much experience do you have? A first-year agent can be fantastic, particularly if they have lots of connections in the real estate world. However, all other things equal, always go with the real estate agent who has the most experience.
  • Have you worked in my neighborhood before? This question will help you decide if your real estate agent can give you what you want. If you’ve already narrowed down a list of neighborhoods, make sure your agent has experience with these parts of town. A local real estate agent is a huge boon to your home search.
  • Do you have any references? Make sure you get the names and phone numbers of at least three previous clients (preferably their three most recent clients). Speak with at least two of them before you make your decision.
  • How many clients have you had in the last year? A busy real estate agent is a fast real estate agent. However, you may find that you’re getting pushed to the backburner for some of your agent’s other clients. Strike a balance and find an agent that’s had enough clients to prove they’re worth their salt – but not so many that you’ll be lost in the shuffle.
  • Are you a full-time or part-time real estate agent? Do you want to be able to reach your real estate agent during business hours? What about in the evening, after work? Find out your agent’s availability to make sure you’re getting the level of service you need.

  Real estate agents can demystify the process of buying a home and make the whole process easier. However, you’ll want to make sure you interview potential agents before you make your decision by asking them these questions.

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying
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