Helpful Tips Archives - Homes for Heroes®

Questions for Your Real Estate Agent: What They Might Not Tell You

November 19, 2020 / in Buying a Home / by Luke Feldbrugge

When buying or selling a house, your agent is supposed to act as your expert guide, answering questions and offering advice to help you get the best deal possible. But sometimes they don’t have all the answers, or rather, they won’t give you the answers. Why? The reason, in a nutshell, is fair housing laws. Because of restrictions put in place by the Fair Housing Act to prevent housing discrimination based on race, religion, sex, nationality, familial status or disability, there are some things agents simply can’t legally tell you. Even making somewhat vague comments could be interpreted as showing bias and fall on the wrong side of the law. So, here are some questions for your real estate agent that they might not answer and how you can still get the information you need.

Write a Letter to Buy a House – Tips for Writing a Personal Letter to Sellers

October 21, 2020October 26, 2020 / in Buying a Home / by Luke Feldbrugge

Many housing markets are extremely competitive, with multiple offers coming in for desirable homes, especially moderately priced ones. So, if you find a house that you love, you need to do everything you can to make the strongest possible offer. For years, real estate experts have recommended writing a personal letter to a home seller to explain why you want to buy the house. But in the age of technology, many people wonder, “Do I really need to write a letter to buy a house?” The short answer is yes. A personal letter is your opportunity to make a meaningful connection that motivates the seller to accept your bid. Let’s look at some tips for writing a strong personal letter as well as some special considerations for heroes.

How to Improve Curb Appeal When Selling Your Home

September 29, 2020 / in Helpful Tips / by Luke Feldbrugge

What your home looks like on the outside surely doesn’t matter as much as the quality of the interior, the number of rooms, etc. But ask anyone who’s tried to sell an “ugly home” and they’ll tell you that curb appeal matters. In fact, the National Association of REALTORS^® says that “homes with high curb appeal tend to sell for an average of 7% more than similar houses with an uninviting exterior,” and that number can climb to 14% in slower markets. Good curb appeal also helps sell your home faster. So, making a few small upgrades can produce great return on investment (ROI), and improving your curb appeal on a budget is possible. Here are some tips on how to improve curb appeal when selling your home.

How are Property Taxes Calculated? What to Know When Buying a Home

September 10, 2020 / in Buying a Home / by Luke Feldbrugge

Taxes are nobody’s favorite thing, and most of us would rather just not think about them. But they are an important part of home ownership and need to be a consideration as you begin the home buying process. Many first-time home buyers who are unfamiliar with the details often wonder, “How are property taxes calculated, how do I pay them and how often?” To help you navigate what can seem like a complex and difficult issue, here’s everything you need to know about property taxes.

FHA Home Loans for Healthcare Professionals | Eligible with Low Credit Score, Minimal Down Payment

May 7, 2020May 12, 2020 / in Buying a Home / by Luke Feldbrugge

Have you been considering buying a home but a less than perfect credit score, or a lack of savings for a down payment has been holding you back? In this post, Homes for Heroes explains how you can break through those issues with FHA Home Loans for healthcare professionals. The FHA Home Loan has been helping more healthcare professionals become homeowners due to its less restrictive credit and minimal down payment requirements.

Negotiating House Price Tips for Sellers

September 25, 2019 / in Helpful Tips / by Luke Feldbrugge

In the real estate world, the list price of a home is somehow both extremely important and ultimately meaningless. Yes, buyers use price as a major factor in their home search, and sellers and agents spend lots of time figuring out what a home is worth to develop a good pricing strategy. But in the end, the list price is just a jumping off point as you enter negotiating house price with the buyer. The actual sale price will be determined during the negotiation process. While this can be a bit intimidating to some home sellers, it’s a crucial part of selling your home. Here are some tips for how to get the upper hand in negotiations and come away with the best price for your house.

Back to School 2019 – 14 Tips Save Time and Money

August 7, 2019May 12, 2020 / in Helpful Tips / by Luke Feldbrugge

Are you ready for the kids to be back in school or do you prefer the summer vacation way of life? Regardless, times are changing soon for families across the country as kids head back to school. That means some things need to get done so your family is prepared. To make going back to school 2019 easier, we’ve assembled 14 helpful tips to get the family ready and save you some money!

How to Texture a Wall Yourself

February 26, 2018November 21, 2019 / in Helpful Tips / by Homes for Heroes

Texturing walls allows you to choose the style that suits you, and turn a flat, dull space into something with personality. It’s all about turning your space into what you want. Just make sure that you take it one step at a time. The addition of textured walls will feature your unique style, and by doing it yourself you’ll save money. This post provides you with the primary wall texture options, what you’ll need to do it and steps to make it happen.

10 Home Staging Tips to Sell Your House

January 17, 2018September 25, 2019 / in Helpful Tips / by Luke Feldbrugge

One of the most challenging parts of selling a house is trying to make your home stand out in a competitive market. You can’t magically add bedrooms or a pool without spending considerable money. But there are small things you can do to stage your home for sale. Homes for Heroes real estate specialists are skilled in the art of staging a home to sell. When you work with our local specialist to sell your home, they will guide you on how on to best stage your house. However, here are 10 home staging tips every seller should know.