Chic vs. Geek: Buying from a Builder

Are you thinking of buying a new construction project directly from the builder? Here are some things you need to know before you sign the contract...

CHIC (PEARL)

We know what you’re thinking: Buying a brand new home sounds like a dream. No creaky floors, no skeletons in the closet, and no surprises in the crawlspace. But you can’t judge a book by its cover. Just like old homes, new constructions come with their own set of potential pitfalls. We suggest you have the home professionally inspected before making any commitments.

GEEK (KEVIN)

The most important thing to remember when you’re buying a brand new construction is that you can’t take anything for granted. A builder will recommend their preferred lender, but shop around for multiple quotes to be sure you’re getting the best deal. And watch out for hidden defects, missing necessities, and pricey upgrades and upsells. Here’s more advice to help you through.

Weekly Gratitude: The only thing we have to fear...

“Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” - Mark Twain

We often have clients who can’t seem to pull the trigger on buying a home. They may be perfectly qualified and in an excellent financial position to make the purchase. What gets in the way? Fear. Fear of losing a job, suffering a life-changing injury, or other reasons they might prevent them from paying their mortgage.

When we encounter these moments of analysis paralysis, we remind our clients that you can’t let fear of the unknown prevent you from realizing your dreams and enjoying your life.

Chic vs. Geek: Macroeconomics

Real estate economists are reading the tea leaves from the first half of 2021 to predict what the housing market will look like for the rest of the year and into 2022. What are they finding?

CHIC (PEARL)

Based on early returns from 2021, national real estate economists are predicting a surge in supply from new home construction, the winding down of mortgage forbearance due to COVID-19, and a higher level of consumer confidence thanks to widespread vaccinations.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Higher home prices and higher mortgage rates will also create less demand. That means properties will remain on the market longer, leading to less hurried decisions for homebuyers. Meanwhile, rental prices will slowly increase with inflation. (More in Number Talk later this week!)

Chic vs. Geek: Hardening Your Home

Drought conditions combined with summer heat make the upcoming fire season even more threatening for homeowners. How can you prep your home? We’ve got some tips!

CHIC (PEARL)

Things any of us can do:

GEEK (KEVIN)

Things not everybody should do:

Things that should be left to professionals:

Chic vs. Geek: Condos and Townhomes and PUDs – Oh, my!

You might think they’re all the same, but there are some important differences every homebuyer needs to know before getting started. Good thing we’re here!

CHIC (PEARL)

We’ve all seen condos listed as townhomes and vice versa. And then there’s planned unit developments (aka PUDs), which could be advertised as either one, but are more like single family homes. How do you know what you’re getting before you get too far down the road? If you want to know for sure, you have to look at the preliminary title report that sellers provide to buyers in their disclosure.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Okay, so what’s the difference between a PUD and an HOA? Well, PUDs are basically detached single family homes in a subdivision or other master plan community that offers additional amenities. In a PUD, you own the home, lot, and common area, and PUDs offer a more traditional landowner rights structure than HOAs do, given that HOAs impose particular regulations on residents.