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Home Buying Advice

Found A Home You Love But It's 'Pending' . . . Do You Still Have A Chance?

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on April 27, 2017 - 10:00am

So you've been looking online for quite some time now for the perfect home in the perfect location, and you finally think you found it.  But . . . it already has an accepted pending contract.

Ugh!  Disappointment!  Now what!  Is there still a chance that you can get the home, or should you not even try?

Well, pending does not mean it's sold.  It means that the seller has accepted a buyer's offer, but the transaction has not yet closed.  There are a multitude of things that can go wrong from the time a contract is accepted and the time it closes.  The home inspection could reveal an issue that is unacceptable to the buyer, the buyer's financing could get turned down, or something could change in the buyer's situation that causes them to not be able to buy.  So if you really want the house here is what you should do.

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6 Tips To Make House Hunting Fun For The Kids

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on April 27, 2017 - 9:13am

There's no doubt that moving is one of life's more stressful events, and it is in everybody's best interest to try to keep the kids happy and feeling secure during the process.

It may take some extra time and patience, but Including your children in your home search can pay off big by helping them better adapt to change and ease their anxiety. 

Here are 6 ideas to get the kids engaged in the move:

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Single Home Buyer? Here Are A Few Things You Need To Know

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on April 24, 2017 - 3:01pm

Single and thinking about buying your first home?  Make sure you do your research and take your time.  Start learning what you need to know several months before you are ready to start viewing properties.  The more you know and the better prepared you are, the quicker you will find the right home to meet your wants and needs.

There’s a huge sense of independence in owning your own home, being comfortable in your own living environment, and making your own rules and decisions.  

Many single women and men are buying their own homes. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors® single women accounted for 21% of all home purchases in the year ended this past June, while single men accounted for approximately 10%.

Here are a few important financial tips for single home buyers (women and men):

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Buyers Be Prepared For Some Pitfalls When The Seller Is Getting Divorced

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on October 27, 2016 - 3:20pm

Buying a home is exciting.  It can also be challenging.  Because buyers and sellers are human beings with all different personalities, likes and dislikes, and different goals and life situations, it can get interesting.

When a couple is going through a divorce and selling, the challenges can be even more difficult to overcome.

Here are some issues you may encounter, so should be prepared to handle, when buying a home from a couple going through a divorce.

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Preparing To Move? Load These Items In Your Car At The Last Minute

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on September 1, 2015 - 11:10am

Did you know that Federal law prohibits moving companies from transporting hazardous materials?

There are other items, too, besides hazardous materials that moving companies generally will not load in their trucks.  Be prepared to transport your own house plants, perishable food items, and possibly some lawn and pool equipment.

The following list of items are defined as 'hazardous.  You will need to either dispose of them properly, leave them for the new owners (with their approval, of course), or transport them in your own vehicle:

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Thinking About Flipping Houses? Five Things You Need To Know

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on May 29, 2015 - 12:37pm

If you are thinking about taking up house-flipping, there are 5 key concepts you need to know like the back of your hand.  House flipping is a lot of work, but if you're up for it and you do it right you can make some good money.  You just need to be smart, have a good business plan, and stick to it.  Emotions are not valid here . . . if a project does not fit into the financial framework, then pass on it.  You're doing this to make money, right.

#1 KNOW YOUR FINANCES

Determine what you can spend on both the house and the renovation, down to the last dollar.  Price out the cost of carrying a short-term loan (if you need one), taxes, utilities and maintenance on the home for about 6-12 months, depending on how long the renovation will take, and the average time it takes to sell a property in that community and that price range.  Price out the cost of materials and labor.

Study all the comparable sales in the same neighborhood and price range, to determine what the likely sales price will be. If you can't make the money/return that you expect, then pass on the house.  Remember that there are often unforeseen issues that can add to the cost, and if you are running tight on the front end, it could lead to a disappointing financial result when you sell.

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