Meet with a Lender to Make a Plan   We just bought a house! This was a long time coming. I am very excited to share a little about our journey of buying a house in a video series. These videos are geared towards first time home buyers but can be for anyone. I hope that my experience as a realtor and the tips I learned from going through the home buying process can encourage someone that thinks buying a home is too far off for them. First up, Meeting With a Lender. There is a lot of costs that go into buying a house, more than just the down payment. There are closing costs that can be around 3% of the purchase price! Not only do you have to save for closing costs in addition to a down payment but you also want money to furnish your home when you move in. Typically, refrigerators, washer and dryers are not included in the sale (although they can be negotiated) that is another expense if you aren’t planning for it. This might sound scary but you have to have all the information and an idea of all costs before you make a plan. Meeting with a lender should be for just that - Making a Plan! When Should You Meet with a Lender? Now. If you are thinking about buying a home in the next year or two and haven’t talked to anyone you need to call this week. I work with and recommend lenders with a teacher’s heart. Buying a house is very intimidating and meeting with lender that walks you through different loan options and different payment plans makes the process more approachable. Don’t have a lender? Reach out! I would love to introduce you to a lender.  Josh

If you are anything like me credit cards and debt scare you. I bought my car, motorcycle, my wife’s engagement ring, well everything with cash. Cash is king right? No. Well, not in this situation. Despite, what I had believed to be, good spending habits I was at a disadvantage when shopping for home loans and even rentals with no credit history.I’ve had a sour outlook to credit cards and car loans because I have seen my peers and co-workers drown themselves in credit card debt and take a car loan on a 18% interest rate and justify it by saying “I have good credit” or “it’s building my credit”.This article helped change my perspective because it has some creative ways to build and maintain credit but also not every person that has a credit card is buried in debt like some of my past coworkers. Lenders want to see a history of responsible borrowing and a credit score/history is a way they check that.Check it out!- Joshhttps://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/how-to-build-credit/

Mortgage Rates 2022 vs 2018 If you had a monthly payment of $2,000 (principle & interest) with today's rates that would get you a $505,560 property, with 10% down payment, compared to $432,245 with 2018's average rate of 4.54%. That's over $70,000 more buying power with the same monthly payment. If you are thinking of refinancing or buying we'd be happy to help and introduce you to our favorite lenders.

Check for Air Leaks Act now on your home maintenance checklist to save on heating costs during the winter months. And check for air leaks around windows and doors, including cracks in caulking or weather-stripping. Also, replace caulk and weather-stripping if necessary.   Crawl Space Vents Be sure to close open crawl space vents to avoid moisture build up that can lead to mold in your crawl space. Foam insert work great and stay in play even in snow.   Inspect Insulation Adequate insulation will help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And if your insulation is insufficient, your heating system will have to work overtime this winter. By adding some insulation to your attic, walls and crawlspace, you can save money on heating costs. Check the Roof Give the roof a good look before winter hits. Are there any loose or missing shingles that may result in leaks from melting snow? And use your home maintenance checklist as an excuse to check for any broken seals around vents and the chimney.   Protect the Air Conditioner Even though the condensing unit is built for outdoor elements, it can still be damaged by falling icicles and other debris. You don’t need to invest in a waterproof cover (in fact many manufacturers recommend against it, because it creates a warm space for critters). Just place a sheet of plywood held down by a few bricks on top and your AC should be ready to work again in the spring.   Check Batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating is the cause of 27 percent of structure fires during the winter months. So make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working in your home. And it’s best to have smoke alarms in every room of your home, including hallways. Be sure that home maintenance includes checking the batteries in all alarms once a month is always on your homemaintenance checklist. Protect Entryways All that snow, ice and mud can wreak havoc on your entryway floors. Place mats both inside and outside the door, along with boot trays inside the entryway. And make sure your mudroom is ready with a place to dry wet jackets, hats, and gloves.   Clear Gutters If you haven’t already, clear gutters of debris including sticks, pine cones and leaves so melted snow will drain properly. And direct downspouts away from your home’s foundation to help prevent basement leaks and flooding.   Trim Tree Limbs Your winter home maintenance checklist should include trimming any dead tree limbs so they don’t fall and damage your home during a winter storm. And if you need to remove large limbs or remove a tree, it may be best to hire a professional.   Stop Ice Dams from Forming If your home is prone to icicles and ice dams, take steps now to make sure you have proper insulation and venting. And you can also prevent ice dams by raking the snow off your roof and installing heat cables.   Clear Debris from Flat Roofs If you live in the Southwest United States, you may have a flat roof that is surfaced with pebbles or asphalt. And before winter, be sure to remove leaves that can hold moisture. This home maintenance task can be done with a rake or blower.   Reverse Ceiling Fans If you have ceiling fans, there should be a switch to make the fan blades run clockwise. Running the blades in a clockwise position during the colder months can push heated air down. This home maintenance task makes rooms with high ceilings more comfortable.   Prevent Pipes from Freezing When water freezes, it expands and can cause your pipes to burst. To prevent frozen pipes, insulate pipes near windows, doors and in areas of the home that are unheated. Disconnect your garden hose from the outside faucet. Finally, set the heat to no lower than 55 degrees F. Salt and Ice Melt Destroy Driveways Salt and Ice Melt can be great but they are very hard on concrete driveways. Repeated use could damage your driveway.