Homeowners understand owning and maintaining a home takes work. We all want to provide a protective, safe and friendly home for ourselves , our family, and all of our guests.When you’re busy working your job(s), caring for your family, and maintaining a home, things can occasionally get missed. Because there’s so much to do around the house this time of year, we compiled the most complete fall home maintenance checklist for our heroes to tackle their fall home maintenance to-dos, and also created a convenient single one-sheet checklist you can download to reference every year to assure nothing is missed. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, this post provides essential information and the free fall home maintenance checklist download is a great tool to keep you ahead of the game.
Category: Buying a House
How to Increase Home Value Using Your Homes for Heroes Savings
To increase home value, it usually takes some elbow grease and a little money. When you work with us to buy a home, you’ll actually receive money you can put toward improving the value of your new home. On average, heroes save over $2,400 when they buy a home with us, and some save even more. The savings are received on real estate, mortgage, title and inspection services provided by Homes for Heroes specialists. After closing on your new house, Homes for Heroes will send you a check for the amount saved, and you can use it anyway you want.
One option might be to use your Hero Rewards savings to update your new home. This is how you can increase home value. Consider it a wise investment that also makes your home more like you want it. You don’t have to do a full-blown remodel; you’d be surprised by what you can do on a budget. Not sure what sorts of improvements to make that add value? Here are some tips:
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“How to Increase Home Value Using Your Homes for Heroes Savings”
Living Near Your Work: Pros and Cons for First Responders
As the never-ending “residency requirements” debate lingers on, firefighters, police and emergency medical services continue to grapple with the issue of whether they should live in the community where they work. Both pro-residency and anti-residency camps have valid points; one of the reasons, perhaps, that it’s such a hot-button issue. People are torn.
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How to Use a FHA Loan Calculator
Are you searching for a terrific home loan that doesn’t require you to put down a significant down payment? If so, an FHA home loan is a fantastic financing option, and it’s available to borrowers who can contribute just 3.5% in a down payment on a house. Read on for facts about FHA loans and how an FHA loan calculator makes it simple to figure out how much you can afford to spend on your new home.
Save Time and Money with our Home Loans for Police Officers
Police officers, troopers, correctional officers, and other law enforcement professionals have an extremely difficult job serving their communities. So, when it comes to buying a house, becoming a permanent part of that community, financing must be easy. Thankfully, there are a number of great home financing options available specifically for law enforcement officers. Let’s explore some of the most common types of loan programs that help LEO’s buy a home.
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door
As a law enforcement professional, you have a fantastic opportunity to participate in the HUD Good Neighbor Next Door. This program helps public servants like law enforcement officers, first responders, and teachers purchase homes in revitalizing neighborhoods. Through this program, you can buy a HUD home for 50 percent of the appraised value when the house is in a designated area. You must agree to live at the property for 36 months to qualify for the Good Neighbor Next Door program. Programs like these are great for police officers to save money and improve communities from the day they move in.
FHA Home Loans
FHA loans are a great option for police officers and first-time homebuyers because you don’t need a stellar credit rating and they only require the buyer to put 3.5 percent into a down payment. These government-backed loans come with very competitive interest rates, although you will need to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), potentially throughout the life of the loan.
Homes for Heroes partners with mortgage lenders across the country who know these loan programs inside and out. Sign up with no obligation and we’ll match you with a Homes for Heroes mortgage specialist who can help you figure out what’s best for your unique situation.
Geographic-Specific Home Loans
Depending on where you’re looking to buy, you may be able to find a geographic-specific loan program for LEO’s. You’ll find these most often in major metropolitan areas where real estate prices are high. Chicago, for example, has an excellent home buying assistance program available to police officers who work in the city.
The Chicago Public Safety Officer Home Buyer Assistance Program is a pilot program that was developed to improve struggling neighborhoods by encouraging law enforcement officials to purchase homes in those communities. Eligible police officers who meet the maximum income requirements receive $30,000 to help with down payment and closing costs. Many geographic-specific programs, require buyers live in the home for a certain number of years to receive full benefits. Your Homes for Heroes mortgage specialist will help you navigate all of the details and requirements for you.
Time to Buy
Once you have your home loan financing in place, a Homes for Heroes affiliate real estate specialist will help you find the home of your dreams. Our real estate specialists are experts at locating fantastic housing options that meet your needs. Whether your department requires you to live within the jurisdiction, you’re searching in a competitive market, or you just want to live close to your precinct, our specialists can find the right home for you.
Along with sharing their expertise and gratitude, they’ll also save you substantial money on real estate fees. When you buy or sell a home with our real estate specialists, you will receive a check from Homes for Heroes after closing for 0.7% of the home sale price, or $700 for every $100K of the home sale price. Plus, if you work with our mortgage, title and inspection specialists, you can save an average $500 on lender fees. It’s just our way of saying thank you for the service and sacrifice of law enforcement professionals everywhere.
Are you a police officer or law enforcement professional looking for help financing your next home purchase? Sign up today and see how Homes for Heroes can help you save money.
Military Pay Chart: How Much House Can I Afford?
Your dedicated service safeguards our freedom, and our grateful nation hopes that you achieve your dreams. Do you dream of owning a home of your own? Keep reading for information about using your military compensation to make your dream of homeownership a reality.
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Are HUD Homes Worth Buying?
Have you ever considered buying a HUD house? These homes offer tremendous opportunities to purchase property in an area that might otherwise be too expensive for a buyer. These types of homes are often available in most cities in the United States, which is good news if you want to buy real estate las vegas has to offer.
Read on to learn more about HUD homes and what it takes to buy one.
What is PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) and Do You Need It?
Do you feel so overwhelmed with real estate terminology that you wonder how you’ll ever buy a house? Don’t worry; even though you’re busy being a hero (here’s looking at you teachers, doctors, nurses, medics, firefighters, law enforcement, and military professionals) it’s fairly easy to read up and understand one of the confusing terms- Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). Let’s take a look at private mortgage insurance, and what it means when you’re buying a home.
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Finding the Best Homes for Sale in Raleigh NC
Do you want to buy a home in Raleigh, NC? You’re in fantastic company. The City of Oaks shines due to its stellar reputation as a city that knows how to combine a dynamic economy with an outstanding quality of life.
Read on for terrific ideas on finding the best houses to buy in Raleigh NC.
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“Finding the Best Homes for Sale in Raleigh NC”
If You Want to Buy Land Here are 6 Things You Need to Know First
Are you itching to buy a piece of land? You’re not alone; the desire to own land springs from deep within the American spirit of adventure and creativity. Very few real estate endeavors are as satisfying as putting your mark on your land. Keep reading for six essential things you need to know before you buy property.
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