Carolyn Capalbo, Shows us how to Ease the Stress of Buying a Home

Buying a new home can be an exciting and exhilarating time, but let’s face it, it can be quite stressful, too. Most individuals find that buying a property ranks high on their list of stressful events, mainly due to the fact that there is a lot at stake financially when you buy a home.

For many home buyers, however, the act of purchasing a new home is minimized because they stay in control of the process. In other words, there are things that every home buyer can do to minimize their stress and ensure that their home buying experience is a positive one.

Carolyn Capalbo 4 Rules

1. Hire a great real estate agent – Sure, you can go it alone when you purchase a new home, but in reality a qualified real estate agent will make the entire process run a lot more smoothly. A great real estate agent ( like Carolyn Capalbo) will educate you on the process, will walk you through the complicated process of closing on a home, and will be your best advocate when it comes to negotiating. Before you hire a real estate agent, interview several agents and find the one that best fits your needs. Make sure your real estate agent has plenty of experience with the local real estate market, and make sure you have a good rapport with him or her.
2. Spell out your expectations clearly to your real estate agent from the beginning – Let your real estate agent understand what you expect from him or her before the process begins. Make sure you receive regular updates and that you are involved in every facet of the transaction. In short, let your agent know that you want to be kept in the loop during the entire process.
3. Understand that the home buying process can take a long time and plan accordingly – The process of buying a new home can be quite long and quite tedious. Therefore, plan ahead and set enough time aside before you begin the home buying process. For example, don’t begin planning during your busiest season at work or during your child’s tournament sports league.
4. Make a commitment to stay informed and educated throughout the entire process – Don’t just assume that because you have a good real estate agent that you don’t need to learn about the process as well. There is no excuse for not educating yourself on the home buying process; buy books, search the Internet and ask your Realtor plenty of questions so that you will stay informed – and therefore make the best decisions – during the entire process.

VIP Realty San Antonio would like to thank Carolyn Capalbo for her great insight!

Purchasing a home today is far different than it was even a few years ago. Now, buyers have begun recognizing the value of the Internet and the time and money it can save them.

The Internet may very well be your best resource when shopping for a new home. In fact, the Internet can prove to be incredibly useful during every step of the home buying way. From searching for Terrell Hills homes to finding the mortgage that best meets your financial needs, the Internet can be your best friend when shopping for a home.

Here are just a few of the way in which you may use the power of the Internet to purchase a Terrell Hills property:

• Find a real estate agent – Many of today’s real estate agents have made a point to develop an Internet presence. From informative blogs to detailed websites, you may be able to learn about a number of local real estate agents simply by surfing the Internet. Search for an agent who best meets your needs and has a solid background in both buying and selling Terrell Hills homes.
• Find a competitive mortgage – One of the most important factors when determining which mortgage is right for you is to stay on top of mortgage rates and mortgage products; and there’s no better way to keep updated on all of this information than through the Internet. Unlike print media, such as newspapers, the Internet often provides the most up-to-date information, and many websites list mortgage products side-by-side, thereby facilitating your comparison shopping duties.
• Learn about the neighborhood – What are the schools like in your Terrell Hills neighborhood? Are there neighborhood parks, libraries and community activities? Is the neighborhood safe and does it have the support of a fire and police team? All of these questions – and more! – can be answered simply by searching for this information on the Internet. In addition, search for blogs and other social media sites for reviews about local neighborhoods, as these outlets can be a great source of information.
• Find a fabulous home – Most real estate websites provide a plethora of information about Terrell Hills homes for sale, including videos, pictures and features. So take advantage of this information and save yourself a load of legwork in the process by doing your primary searches from the comfort of your home!

A military relocation, or any other type of relocation for that matter, is often difficult on the children. However, there are ways to make this move less stressful – both for you and for your children!

Below are several suggestions to help you make moving and relocation, easier, more convenient, and more enjoyable.

1. Maintain an ongoing dialogue with your children about the move. Children often feel much less stressed about a military relocation if you keep them in the loop and inform them of any and all changes that will be taking place within the family. An ongoing conversation about the move is also a great way for your children to feel as if they can ask questions and express their concerns.
2. Don’t assume that your children understand the details of the military relocation. Instead, take the time to explain everything in detail so your children won’t be confused – and therefore scared or stressed – throughout the move. This is also a great time to calm their fears and let them know that their special belongings will accompany them and that you will remain together.
3. Talk to them about the new house and the neighborhood in which you will move to. Pictures and videos are a great way to show your children your new home. Often times, the process of a military relocation is much less stressful for your children if they can see where they are moving to.
4. Turn your military relocation into a fun and exciting time for your children by staying in a kid-friendly hotel along the way or eating at a fun restaurant. Make the journey exciting so that your children will view the move as a positive one.
5. Take the time to sign your children up for their favorite sports or activities as soon as you’re settled. Being able to resume their favorite activities will allow them to make friends and feel at home.
6. Make it a priority to set up your children’s rooms as soon as you move into your new home. It will prove to be very comforting for your children if you take the time to set up their bedrooms. Paint the walls a fun color and encourage your children to use their creativity to decorate a fun bedroom.

One of the very best things we can do when considering purchasing a Terrell Hills home is to determine how much we can afford to put towards housing expenses each month.

As a result, we consider things such as our monthly mortgage payment, our homeowners insurance and our taxes into our monthly household expenses. However, not many of us take it further and really dig deep to find out how much our dream home will cost us each month.

Before you sign on the dotted line for your new Terrell Hills home, don’t forget to consider the following hidden expenses:

• Landscaping – Does your new Terrell Hills home have a sprawling backyard that is the envy of the neighbors? Although a great yard is often a selling point, consider the cost of maintaining your yard and landscape. In particular, will you pay to have the lawn mowed, the landscaping pruned and the flowers watered? If so, you may be looking at considerable monthly expenses.
• Homeowners Association Fees – Owning a home in a community with loads of amenities and services can be quite rewarding; however, if your homeowner’s association fees are costly, your budget may become strained. Before purchasing a home in a community with homeowner’s association fees, learn more about the fees, whether they are monthly, quarterly or annual fees, and whether they are likely to increase in the future.
• Emergency Repairs – Never stretch your budget so tight that you can’t afford to put money aside each month into an emergency savings account. Having money put aside to cover the expenses of emergency repairs is vital if you are a homeowner. Some household emergency expenses, such as furnace and air conditioner repair or replacement, can cost thousands of dollars, so it is always important to have extra money set aside for such expenses.
• Furniture and Decorating – Don’t forget the added expense of furniture and decorative purposes, particularly if you are moving into a larger home. From decorating services to draperies, many homebuyers do not realize just how much money it can end costing – and how big of a bite it can take out of their budget.

As a buyer, you may think you are in the driver’s seat, especially given the fact that many industry experts refer to this type of market as a “buyer’s market.”

However, you may not always have the perfect case scenario in your back pocket when it comes to buying a Bexar County property. In fact, you might just find yourself in a situation where you must prove yourself to your seller.

The bottom line is that the more prepared you are, and the more you show your sellers (and their agent) that you are prepared and serious about purchasing a Bexar County home the more likely you will be able to negotiate a great deal on a great home.

How to Show Sellers you Mean Business

• Get preapproved – One of the best things you can do before you start home searching is to head to the lender of your choice and get preapproved for a home loan. In many cases, agents will not even want to show you a home if you’re not preapproved and, in the case of negotiating, you will have little wiggle room if you don’t come armed with a preapproval letter. For example, if you put an offer in on a Bexar County property, and another couple does the same, but is preapproved, the seller will likely entertain the other couple’s offer more seriously. Simply put, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy if you simply get your preapproval letter before you begin the home searching process.
• Secure a Qualified Real Estate Agent – A good real estate agent is worth his or her weight in gold when it comes time to negotiating. Do yourself a favor and find an educated, qualified real estate who can help you throughout the entire home process, from choosing the perfect home and making an offer, to negotiating and closing. A qualified real estate agent will have a good idea regarding home values in the neighborhood, thereby guiding you in the right direction when it comes time to making an offer.
• Make a Fair Offer – If you find a home that you love, don’t insult the homeowners with a low ball offer, unless it is absolutely appropriate for the situation. Instead, do your homework and decide how much you think the home is worth. Most sellers will not approach you as serious buyers otherwise, so take your time and only enter a realistic offer.

Buying a home is still considered to be the American Dream by many; however, this dream has gotten a bit more complicated over the last year or so.

One of the biggest changes to take place in the Sonoma Ranch real estate market is that only those individuals the best credit and a substantial down payment can expect to be approved for a home loan. Simply put, lenders are not willing to give loans to those individuals who have not proven themselves to be credit worthy.

If you’ve paid your dues and have maintained a flawless credit history you are well on your way to purchasing your first home. However, along with a good credit score you must have a nice down payment for your first home. In fact, most lenders now require about 20 percent down for a new home purchase.

If the thought of saving thousands of dollars for a down payment deflates you, think again: it is possible to save for a down payment; you just need a serious goal and an even more serious game plan. Here’s how to get started:

• Talk to a lender and find out how much house you can afford. Then, ask the lender how much money you will need to supply for a down payment; then voila! You have your down payment goal.
• Sit down and make a reasonable budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend each month on a mortgage, and decide how much money you can realistically save each month. In order to really begin thinking in terms of home ownership you must be prepared to save more money each month. Simply put, it is the only way to work towards a reachable goal.
• Find ways to cut down costs and save more. If you are really serious about becoming a homeowner then you must do what it takes to save money for a down payment; and that may mean finding ways to cut your monthly expenses. For example, simply skipping your morning cup of designer coffee or passing up a restaurant dinner once or twice a month can have a serious impact on your budget and your ability to save money. Most of us can save much more money than we currently are saving; it’s just a matter of self discipline and sticking to a goal.

One of the first things every buyer should do when purchasing a new Bexar County home is to check on their credit.

Before you even begin the process of applying for a home loan, you should request a copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. It is important to obtain your credit report from each credit agency, as information contained in each of these reports may differ.

Once you have ordered copies of your credit report, make it a point to read through them carefully and thoroughly and to correct any mistakes or discrepancies. Also located on each credit report is your credit score. Generally, a good credit score is anything over 700; however, what do you do when your credit score falls short of this number?

You may be quite confused by your low credit score but, in reality, there are a few things that can have a dramatic effect on your credit score:

1. Student Loans – Student loans are government loans that should be taken seriously; however, many graduates fail to realize the importance of paying on these loans. As a result, many would-be homebuyers find themselves unable to secure a loan because of bad student loan debt.
2. Utility Bills – Did you know that your utility company can turn you into collections for not paying your gas, electric, water or phone bill? Many people are unaware that their payment history for their utilities is carefully noted in their credit report. Keep in mind that your ability or inability to pay your utility bills on time each month can have a huge effect on your credit score.
3. Too Much Debt – Regardless of whether you pay your bills on time each month, your credit score will take a hit if you have too much debt. Often referred to as a debt-to-income ratio, many creditors views this ratio when determining your credit worthiness.
4. Not Enough History – A lack of credit history can prevent you from securing a home loan. This may sound odd but, in reality, creditors must be able to determine if you are a good credit risk, and the only way to do this is to view your credit history.

Military relocation is a popular term heard around San Antonio, as many families from all over the country move to San Antonio because of the many military bases found here, including Lackland Air Force Base, Brooks Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston.

Although military relocation is similar to other types of moves, it does present a number of challenges over other types of relocation. Relocating yourself and your family due to a permanent change of station is a process that most military families must go through at one time or another, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful event, provided you take the time to plan ahead:

• Each military relocation should start with a visit to your Personal Property Office upon receiving your orders. Make an appointment and remember to ask questions. Remember to inquire about everything that will affect you and your family as a result of your military relocation, such as your new duty station and military regulations. The PPO will be able to provide you with information on basic entitlements and responsibilities.
• Contact your sponsor to help you in your transition to a new command and duty station. Your new sponsor will likely contact you, but if you haven’t heard anything in a reasonable amount of time you should contact your sponsor to get some basic information before your move. Sponsors come in incredibly handy for overseas moves, but they can be useful for every type of military relocation.
• Always remember your entitlement, or the maximum weight you can move at the military’s expense. Because you must pay for anything above and beyond what your entitlement is set at, consider selling or donating some of your household items that you don’t want or need any longer. Also, pay close attention to other items that may not be covered under your entitlement, as you will be financially responsible for moving them yourself.
• Remain educated throughout the process so that you take responsibility for your military relocation. In the end, you are responsible for planning and executing every detail of your move, so make sure every detail is tended to before your move.

Have you considered location in your home search? Not just the physical location, but the location within the community.

In other words, is your home conveniently located so that your lifestyle and schedule can be accommodated? For example, purchasing the Alamo Heights’ home of your dreams, only to find that the noise from the nearby highway makes it hard to fall asleep with the windows open, may just dampen your spirits.

Location Tips to Remember when House Hunting:

• The home’s proximity to shopping, dining and recreation – Many homeowners may desire a close proximity to grocery stores, restaurants and night clubs, for example, while other homeowners want to avoid any nearby commercial activity due to noise and traffic.
• The home’s proximity to medical centers, hospitals and doctors – Finding a home that is far from any type of medical services may prove to be inconvenient or dangerous. Consider how long it will take emergency personnel to get to your home, or how long it will take to visit your family doctor.
• The home’s proximity to major roads and highways – Often times, homeowners look for homes that are located in close proximity to major roads and highways, as this often makes the task of commuting to and from work an easier one. However, it is also important to consider road noise. For example, your close proximity to a major highway may be convenient, but it may also produce a great deal of noise and local traffic.
• The home’s proximity to undesirable locales, including garbage dumps, power plants, etc. – You may have found the ideal home, but if it is located next to a power plant, for example, that home may become slightly more undesirable. And, even if you aren’t bothered by a nearby garbage dump, for example, the next buyer may certainly be.
• The home’s proximity to community services, parks and playgrounds – You may want to consider your neighborhood’s quality of life, particularly if you have children and pets, or if you enjoy outdoor exercising and partaking in outdoor recreational activities.

Are you considering purchasing your first San Antonio home? If so, congratulations! You are making an excellent financial move.

There are, however, a number of factors that you must remember when obtaining a home loan and purchasing your first Bexar County home:

1. Don’t make any large purchases before closing – Don’t make the mistake of spending money on a big-ticket item before you close on your home. Taking out additional loans in the midst of asking a lender to approve you for a mortgage could be a huge mistake, as it could raise your debt-to-income ratio into the “danger zone.” In other words, it can raise a red flag with your lender that you are simply under the thumb of too many debts and not enough income.
2. Don’t change jobs before closing – In fact, keep your job for as long as possible to avoid looking like a risk to lenders. A steady job for a steady length of time reflects positively for you in terms of financial stability. In other words, a lender wants to know that you aren’t hopping from job to job, as this sets off an alarm with a lender. The bottom line: too many job changes spell financial irresponsibility in the eyes of a lender.
3. Let common sense, not emotions, to be your guide when purchasing a home – Make a list, check it twice and come armed with it when looking at houses. Know what you want and what you absolutely must have. Therefore, you will likely not get caught up in falling in love with a home that simply isn’t practical for your lifestyle or your budget.
4. Get a great real estate agent – Your first home purchase will often be filled with questions and uncertainty, which is why the presence of a qualified real estate agent is invaluable. Take your time and find an agent who: (a) has a good understanding of the market; (b) has experience and education under his or her belt; and (c) has developed a good rapport with you.
5. Don’t forget about comprehensive homeowners insurance – With all of the commotion surrounding purchasing a home, many buyers gloss over the fact that a comprehensive homeowner’s insurance policy is essential for protecting yourself, your family and your assets. Take the time to find a policy that suits your needs and your budget!