With today’s hot real estate market, many people are moving to new areas – sometimes across the country, sometimes across town, either way here are ten things to look for when considering a new neighborhood.
1. Property Taxes – you should look at property taxes and also how much they’ve increased in the last five years and if any increases are planned. It’s a good idea to build this into your budget too.
2. Amenities – check what’s nearby based on your interests, restaurants, groceries stores, houses of worship etc.
3. Future development – it’s a good idea to check and see what future development is planned – it might be a good or bad thing but either way its worth checking.
4. Crime rates – you can check local crime rates online or even contact the local police department to get a better feel.
5. See the area for yourself – its best to hang around the area especially at different times of the day to get a feel for what its really like.
6. Commute times – you probably already thought about this but make sure to check the times during rush hour too.
7. Schools – if you have kids, you already thought about this. But good schools can also be a good sign of a well-kept neighborhood.
8. Housing Values – check the current values and compare them with five and 10 years ago.
9. Walkability and activities – depending on your tastes see what activities are nearby.
10. Personal Fit – everyone has different tastes so try to match the neighborhood with yours – new or old, tight-knit or independent, quiet or bustle, these are individual fits but finding the right one will help you enjoy your home that much more!
And of course reach out to us with questions and if you haven’t gotten pre-qualified yet make sure you do 🙂

If you’re buying or selling (but especially buying), a home inspection is a crucial part of the process that too often is seen as just another step.
So here are the 3 keys to make sure you come out on top and avoid surprises after you move in!
1. Inspect the Inspector First! Make sure your inspector is certified, qualified and experienced. You want someone who is going to check things thoroughly and not just check the boxes. Find a good inspector early as the good ones can often be like a popular restaurant – hard to get a reservation.
2. Be Present for the Inspection If at all possible make sure you attend the inspection too! It may take a few hours so block out the morning or afternoon if needed. You can be part of process, ask questions, get feedback on possible costs if repairs are necessary.
3. Sellers do a pre-inspection Inspection If you are getting ready to put your house on the market it’s a good idea to get a pre-sale inspection. If the inspections turns up things that need to be repaired or fixed this will help make a smooth sale and closing while avoiding surprises!

Last week the Federal Reserve announced it was raising the Federal Fund rate by a quarter percentage point rate, the first rate increase in three years. You are probably wondering what that actually means for homeowners.
Although not officially connected this normally means mortgage rates go up, and rates have increased recently. The Fed has also indicated that it will increase rates even more in the coming months as inflation is one of their top priorities.
If you are currently on a fixed interest rate mortgage the won’t affect your rate or your mortgage payments. If you have an ARM variable rate mortgage then it will be affected affected and you may want to consider locking into a fixed rate mortgage before rates go higher. If you are under contract on a new loan, you may want to consider locking in your rate to avoid further rate increases. Everyone has a unique situation so schedule an analysis on our website and we can see what if any course of action best fits your needs!