Six Tips for Shopping for a Neighborhood

There’s more to shopping for a home than just looking for a house. A big part of the purchase is about the neighborhood and surroundings.

So before you move, know what to look for:

1. Where is it? The cardinal rule of real estate is location. Is the house close to schools, new jobs, parks, downtown or public transportation? Figure out the locations and distances that are most important to you.
2. Keep your budget in mind. Don’t let high-gloss brochures interfere with your bottom line. Luxury neighborhoods are beautiful, but make sure you’re financially comfortable buying a home in a fancy location before you commit.
3. Thriving or declining? Is your dream neighborhood improving, or settling into obsolescence? Are the neighbors keeping up their properties? Is there an abundance of ‘For Rent ’ signs?
4. Extra fees. If your dream neighborhood has a homeowner’s association (HOA), make sure you budget for monthly HOA dues.
5. Holding value. Shopping fixer-uppers? Remember not to improve the property beyond the rest of the neighborhood. Putting too much work into your house may mean you won’t recoup all your investment when you sell.
6. Go before you buy. Explore your new neighborhood outside of the open house times. Are the streets usually full of cars? Is there a drummer or noisy dog living next door? Talk to potential neighbors and get the scoop before you submit an offer.

Of course, you don’t have to find your dream house on your own. If you or someone you know is ready to buy a new home, call me today!

Beautiful Waterfront Condo Available to Purchase

Emerald Grande W-723

$649,000

Ownership at the Emerald Grande offers the highest level of luxury and elegance found anywhere along the Emerald Coast. W723 features beautiful water views overlooking Destin's East Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. This condo features 9' ceilings and crown molding throughout. The kitchen is equipped with granite counter tops, cherry cabinets, and GE Profile stainless steel appliances. Amenities include European Spa and fitness center, indoor heated pool, Banquet & Catering kitchen, Business center, restaurants/lounges, luxurious Sunset Deck with Hot Tub and beautiful pool area serving food and beverages, shopping galore and a staff ready to cater to your every need. We invite you to come see for yourself...Sold Fully Furnished.

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Best Views in Destin! Fractional Ownership

Emerald Grande E305D

$129,900

Fractional Ownership! The resort residence of your dreams is within reach. Enjoy world renowned views overlooking Destin Harbor, East Pass, and the Gulf of Mexico from your 600+ square foot balcony. Owners of the luxury fractional shares at Emerald Grande experience a unique vacation lifestyle. Designed for those whose expectations of luxury and service are exceptionally high, Emerald Grande redefines resort living. Enjoy room service, daily housekeeping, onsite Spa and Fitness Center, garage parking, and much more. Fractional ownership allows you to purchase only what you use and removes the legwork of finding other buyers to partner with you and provides a hassle free ownership. At Emerald Grande, every imaginable activity awaits you, just steps from your door, in HarborWalk Village. Click the link below for more information and watch the video of a walk through of this incredible condo.

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Newly Listed: 3 Bedroom/2 Bathroom Home in Navarre Only $184,000

This well-designed 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, home in Promise Creek is waiting for you! This home offers a large open floor-plan with split bedroom design. This home backs up to a wooded preserve and offers a fully fenced in backyard with a storage shed included. Close to the beach, base, and schools, you will fall in love with all this home has to offer. Call today to make an appointment to view this beautiful home. This home qualifies for 100% Rural Housing loan for qualified buyers. 

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What do you need to get a mortgage?

There is no getting around the amount of documentation needed to acquire a mortgage in a post-recession world. When you are applying for a mortgage you will face more paperwork than ever before. It is a good idea to go ahead and gather some of the essentials needed prior to submitting a mortgage loan application to help the process move along as smoothly as possible. Below is a list of documents that are usually required to complete a mortgage loan application. Your mortgage loan originator can tell you about any additional requirements or documents that may be needed to close on your new home.

• Social Security number
• Two forms of government identification
• W-2 forms from the previous two years if you collect a paycheck
• Profit and Loss statements or 1099 forms is you own a business
• Recent paystubs
• Most recent federal tax return and possibly the last two tax returns
• A complete list of your debts
• A complete list of assets
• Cancelled checks for your rent or mortgage payments

Why Buy in 2016?

Home Shopping? Get Preapproved First

In any type of market, it is always a great idea to pursue a preapproval from a lender in advance of beginning a home search. 

A preapproval verifies the borrower's information and documentation to determine exactly how much the lender would be willing to lend. This is great information to have as a buyer as this allows you to know exactly how much house you can afford. You know up front what your estimated monthly payments will be and can estimate closing costs that may be due. Also, having a preapproval can speed up the underwriting and loan approval process which can help you get into your new home much more quickly. 

Another reason that a preapproval is beneficial is that it allows the seller to know that you are a serious buyer. There are many times that a seller will require a preapproval prior to accepting any offer or contract on a home. This is especially true for bank owned properties and short sales. Having your preapproval in hand allows the seller to know they will be working with a qualified buyer during the process. Even if a seller doesn't require it, having a preapproval can separate you from other buyers who haven't taken the initiative to start the lending process. 

To-Do List for First-Time Buyers

Listed For Sale: Emerald Grande E506C

Fractional Ownership at Emerald Grande! Enjoy watching the sites and sounds while you sip your coffee from your expansive wraparound balcony that overlooks the Destin Harbor, East Pass, and the Gulf of Mexico. Your residence will feature 9ft ceilings, crown molding throughout, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, and GE Profile appliances. With over 1600 square feet, this four bedroom/four bathroom condominium will be plenty large enough for those family vacations you've been dreaming about. Give me a call to learn more about this exciting opportunity to own your piece of paradise!

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