Neil’s Buyer/Seller Posts

A Better Credit Score Leads to a Better Interest Rate

There’s no doubt that a strong credit score makes it easier to secure a mortgage with favorable terms when buying a house. The higher your credit score, the lower you can expect your interest rates to be, which can translate to significant savings over the life of your loan. A damaged credit score, on the …

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Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Home Sale from Falling Apart

Finding a buyer for your home is just the first step on the homeselling path. Tread carefully in the weeks ahead because if you make one of these common seller mistakes, your deal may not close. Mistake #1: Ignore Contingencies If your contract requires you to do something before the sale, do it. If the …

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Tax Advantages Homeowners Get That Renters Don’t

Home buyers get a host of tax benefits that renters don’t — critical deductions that can lower your overall tax bill. But how much do homeowners really save on their taxes? Using 2012 IRS data, the most recent available, we calculated that a homeowner who took the average for each of four tax benefits would …

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7 Mistakes That Cost Homeowners BIG Money During Cold Weather

Wintry weather is great at turning up problems you didn’t even know you had. Like that first snowy night in front of your fireplace that you thought was pure bliss — until you noticed a leak in the ceiling corner, which apparently was caused by a lack of insulation. How were you supposed to know …

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Do You Really Need a Real Estate Lawyer?

Whether you’re a real estate pro or not, it’s a good idea to hire an attorney for an additional set of eyes when purchasing your property. When things go smoothly —  and they usually do — the amount of time the attorney works is generally minimal. When things go wrong, having a lawyer familiar enough to handle any legal …

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How to Spot a Walkable Neighborhood

The ability to get around without a car can really make a neighborhood feel like home. Not to mention walking is good exercise, relaxing, convenient, economical and better for the environment. With all those benefits, it’s no wonder living in a walkable neighborhood is something homebuyers really want. Here’s what to do when buying a …

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Give Your Fireplace a Facelift on a Budget

A comfortable room with a crackling fireplace can be the coziest space in a house. Even for southern homes, a fireplace can enhance the aesthetic of a room, captivating your attention as the focal point of a room. A neglected fireplace, however, can be an eyesore. Fireplaces are a desirable feature for many buyers; showcasing …

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6 Insider Tips for a Successful Open House

Selling your home? A successful open house is the key to attracting the right buyer. A truly great open house takes time, and it goes beyond popular ideas about “staging.”  Use these proven techniques to make an impression: Start Planning Early When selling your home, it’s never too early to get started. Your first open …

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Sell Your Home for Top Dollar With These Home Staging Tips

Staging is key to selling your home for top dollar. If you’re planning to sell your home, consider staging it.  From decluttering and cleaning to rearranging and styling, successful home staging can make you money.  In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS® “2015 Profile of Home Staging,” 71 percent of sellers’ agents agree a …

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