Every industry has their own language.  There terms they throw around like everyone knows what they're talking about but no one outside the industry really does.  In most cases it's okay.  I don't need to know what a faucet aerator or a backflow valve are as long as my plumbing works.  But in Real Estate, it's your money and your home we're talking about, so a little education can go a long way. There are a LOT of Real Estate terms, so I'll break them down by category.  Here are a few pre-house hunting terms to get you started. Realtor  (Pronouced Reel-tor) According to the National Association of Realtors, " REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics." In reality, a Realtor is someone who sells your home in record time, finds your dream home and solves problems you never knew exi...

Every industry has their own language.  There terms they throw around like everyone knows what they're talking about but no one outside the industry really does.  In most cases it's okay.  I don't need to know what megabits and RAM are as long as my computer works.  But in Real Estate, it's your money and your home we're talking about, so a little education can go a long way. There are a LOT of Real Estate terms, so I'll break them down by category.  Here are a few pre-house hunting terms to get you started. Realtor  (Pronouced Reel-tor) According to the National Association of Realtors, " REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics." In reality, a Realtor is someone who sells your home in record time, finds your dream home and solves problems you never knew existed! Pre-qualificati...

They say it's all who you know, and in Real Estate that couldn't be more true.  House hunting can be daunting, and knowing someone who knows the business can be a huge weight off your shoulders.  But let's be real, finding the house is the easy part.  How are you going to pay for that new house?  Sure, you've got a good job, decent credit and a little money in the bank.  But not enough to pay cash!  How are you going to get a loan?  I've got a girl for that!  Actually, I have several, and I'll get you in contact with all of them so you can see who will best serve your needs.  A big part of safeguarding your investment is making sure the title is free and clear.  That means that no one else will have a claim to your home after you write that big check.  How do you track your title to the beginning of days?  You don't, I've got a girl for that! Now that you've found your dream house you want to protect it!  Need insura...

So you want to buy a house.  You know what you need to do.  Make sure your credit is up to snuff.  Consult with a Mortgage Broker and figure out your budget.  Determine your criteria for your new home and prioritize them.  Find a Realtor (me, obviously!).  And start house hunting! What you may not think about is what NOT to do.  Many buyers don't realize their lender will recheck credit scores just a few days before closing, so even after you're approved and headed toward the closing table, it's important to watch anything that could affect the closing.  Here are a few things to keep in mind to keep your credit at its best and get you all the way to home ownership. 1. Don't change jobs Something even I didn't realize when buying our last house is that commission, bonuses and overtime can't be included in your salary figures unless you have two years of records showing you consistently earn those extras.  So don't quit your job, change jo...