Karen Mitchell Real Estate Blog

Renting or buying a home involves a complex decision-making process. However, one important factor to put into consideration when making the buy or rent decision is how long you plan to stay in your home. Most times, renting can be a great choice if you’re planning for a short-term stay in a town, as you wouldn’t want to spend the money to buy a house and other associated costs that come with it. However, if you plan to stay put for the long-term, buying may prove to be the better option. There are many advantages to owning a home.  You will have the ability to able to rent it out, sell, or even pass to family members.  Being able to write off the mortgage interest and property tax payments, which are both tax benefit that enables you to make a deduction on mortgage interest payments from your taxable income. There is also a feeling of pride that you have accomplished the American dream of owning your own home. Buying a home is a great form of investment. If the prices of home...

Upfront Cost When Buying A Home   When buying a home, most people focus on price and interest rate. While these are important,buyers rarely focus on the fees associated with getting the keys to their dream home.  Not all fees are paid at the closing table. Some are out-of-pocket costs that must be paid as part of your closing. This list outlines the 10 most common fees when buying a home.  Home Inspection Cost Once you have submitted an offer on a home and the seller accepts, the first thing you and your realtor will need to do is schedule a home inspection, which typically costs about $450 and must be paid at the completion of the inspection.  Homeowner’s Insurance Homeowner's insurance is required when borrowing money to purchase a home. The policy combines personal and liability insurance, as well as hazard insurance to cover any damage to the dwelling and its contents. This is especially important if you live in areas where hurricanes, flooding, or other natural ...

Selling in the current housing market can seem daunting. But with the right strategy in place, you can make it work. Here’s how to sell your home during the pandemic while staying safe and enjoying a lucrative sale. Put More Effort into Curb Appeal When in-person showings aren’t possible, drive-by and online visitors will increase, so curb appeal matters even more. ●       Keep the exterior of your house spotless. ●       Get a handle on your front yard flower beds with mulch . ●       Consider painting the exterior (and interior) before listing. Promote Your Home’s Best Features Clean, make repairs, and declutter to put your home’s best foot forward in photos and video. ●       Take all the standard home selling preparation steps. ●       Clean upholstery and carpets so they show well. ●       Take advantage of...