Fox Valley Real Estate Blog - Buying Tips

Pre-Approval Isn’t Commitment – It’s Clarity

If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because, like anything in life, the right prep work makes things clearer.

The best time to get serious about buying is before you’re ready to buy. Here’s why.

Pre-Approval Helps You Understand Your Numbers

One of the biggest benefits of pre-approval is how it helps you understand your buying power. As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score, and more. That number is power.

Once you have that clarity, you’re no longer guessing. You know what you’re working with.…

121 Views, 0 Comments

Are You Saving Up To Buy a Home? Your Tax Refund Can Help

You’ve been working on your savings and dreaming of that moment when you finally have keys to a place that’s truly yours. What you might not realize is that your tax return could give you a little extra cash to help you get there sooner. As Freddie Mac notes:

So, if you’re getting a tax refund this year, you can use it to help you pay for some of the upfront costs that come with buying a home, like the down payment and closing costs. And here’s the best part.

On average, people are getting even more money back in their refunds than they did last year. While it’s not a big increase, the visual below uses data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to show…

165 Views, 0 Comments

4 Ways To Make an Offer That Stands Out This Spring

Now that spring is here, more and more buyers are jumping back into the market, and competition is heating up.

If you’re serious about landing a home you’ll love, you need more than just a wish list. You need a smart strategy – and that starts with working with a great agent who can help you put together a strong offer.

Here are some top tips your agent will share with you that are helping buyers stand out (and win) in today’s market.

1. Don’t Lowball on Price

It’s tempting to start with a super low offer in an attempt to save money. But in a competitive spring market, that could backfire. If the price isn’t reasonable, you could offend the seller and lose out to a better bid. As NerdWallet says:

160 Views, 0 Comments

Why You Don't Want To Skip Your Home Inspection

When you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow down the process with more steps or lose out to another buyer’s offer because they skipped their inspection.

But here’s the thing. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And no matter how perfect that house seems, skipping a home inspection is a risk that could cost you a lot more than just time.

What Exactly Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection gives you a detailed look at the home’s condition, usually after your offer’s accepted but before closing. While what’s covered…

125 Views, 0 Comments

House Hunting Just Got Easier – Here’s Why

If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains:

The number of homes for sale has grown compared to last year, and even more options are on the way. While this is typical for the busy spring season, here’s why this is so important right now.

Homeowners are listing their houses at the highest pace we’ve seen in a while.

New Listings Are on the Rise

Over the…

165 Views, 0 Comments

Things To Avoid After You Apply for a Mortgage

Some Highlights

• Once a lender has reviewed your finances as part of the homebuying process, you want to be as consistent as possible. Don’t make any big changes that could affect your mortgage application.
• Here are a few tips. Don’t change bank accounts or apply for new credit. And this one may surprise you, don’t buy appliances or furniture for your next home yet either.
• The best tip of all? Before you do anything financial in nature, talk to your lender first.

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

107 Views, 0 Comments

Your Roadmap to Homeownership

Some Highlights

• Buying a home isn’t just a transaction – it’s a journey. And like any great adventure, having a solid roadmap makes all the difference. ​
• From building your dream team to getting pre-approved, house hunting, and signing the papers on closing day – each milestone is an achievement.
• Your journey starts here. Let’s connect so you have help every step along the way.​

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

173 Views, 0 Comments

What You Need To Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance is a must-have to protect what’s probably your biggest investment – your home. And while you never want to think about worst-case scenarios, the right coverage is basically your safety net if something goes wrong. Here’s how it helps you.

• Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, your policy helps pay for repairs or even a full rebuild.
• Protects Your Belongings: Many policies can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged.
• Provides Liability Coverage: If someone gets injured on your property, homeowner’s insurance can help cover medical bills or legal expenses.

In the simplest sense, it gives you peace…

109 Views, 0 Comments

What You Need To Know About Pre-Approval

Some Highlights

• Before you even start looking at homes, there’s something you should do first – and that’s get pre-approved for your mortgage.
• Pre-approval is when a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow for your home loan. This helps you determine your budget and makes your offer stand out for sellers.
• ​Connect with a trusted lender to get the process started.

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

118 Views, 0 Comments

Buying Your First Home? It’s Okay To Feel Nervous

Buying your first home is exciting, but let’s be real – it can also feel overwhelming. It’s a big step, and with that comes plenty of questions. Am I making the right decision? Can I really afford this right now? Will I be able to make ends meet if I have unexpected repairs? What if I lose my job?

Here’s the thing: every first-time homebuyer has these thoughts.

The homebuying process has always been a mix of excitement and nerves, and that’s completely normal. Here's some information that can give you a bit of perspective, so you don’t have these concerns.

Focus on What You Can Control

Since homeownership is new to you, you’re probably feeling like it’s hard to know what to budget for. And that can be a bit scary. You’ll have the mortgage,…

151 Views, 0 Comments