Posts in category 'Buying A Home'

Buying or selling a home can be intimidating. The industry-specific jargon, paperwork, and legal restrictions can be overwhelming for the average person, let alone first-time homebuyers. Purchasing a home is a major life decision, and with so much on the line, it's very important to work with an experienced, dedicated professional that can help you steer clear of costly pitfalls and mistakes. If you're considering one of these beautiful Belleville homes for sale, make sure you're working with a REALTOR® who can provide you with the following benefits:

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While cleanliness is always a feature of Belleville homes for sale, the concept has taken on a whole new importance this year. Protect your family and display your new home in its best light with this guide to pre-move-in deep cleaning. 

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If you're new to buying or selling real estate, the specific roles and titles of professionals who work in the industry can be unclear. Before you make a decision about whether you need a real estate agent or REALTOR®, it's important to understand the distinctions between them, so you're armed with the knowledge you need when selling property or looking at Belleville homes for sale. 

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With so much to do after a big move, it's easy to overlook some smaller details. Things you'd never forget normally can slip through the cracks when you're celebrating – and resting up! – after moving into one of the great Belleville homes for sale.

Our REALTORS® strive to make every part of buying a home more comfortable, including the move. Many of our clients have reached out with stories of things they forgot to take care of, so we decided to delve deeper and find out what goes undone the most.

In the chaos of packing and unpacking, important administrative tasks can fall by the wayside. And the further you're moving, the more valuable it is to remember to do those things promptly.

Let's take a closer look at five things people forget to do after they move:

1. Turn Utilities On (And Off) Before Moving Day
   It may take up to two weeks to have electric and water service turned on at your new home, so contact utilities as soon as moving day is circled on the calendar. At the same time, be sure you notify existing utilities that you will be moving out. Service in your name must cease before new residents can move in and get everything under their own account.

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VA home loans provide a fantastic opportunity for veterans and their families to put a solid foundation under their financial future. There are some changes to the VA home loan program that make it easier for soldiers, sailors, and airmen to purchase a home. These changes will affect loan limits, fees, and other elements of the program that our REALTORS® want you to know about and think over before you apply.

Funding Fees Rise for Some Borrowers

The funding fee for VA home loans is rising to 2.30% for first-time active duty borrowers, which is a slight increase over the 2.15% it is at currently. This change will go into effect on January 1, 2021, so there is still plenty of time to purchase a home before it affects borrowers. On the other side of the coin, Purple Heart recipients who are still on active duty will no longer have to pay the funding fee starting on January 1, 2020. The subsequent use fee is also rising. It is currently set at 3.3% but will increase to 3.6% on January 1, 2020. 

The Funding Fees are based on a sliding scale for regular military personnel based on their down payment.

Further, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 streamlines the funding fees for all military personnel. Starting January 1, 2020, National Guard, reservists, and active-duty personnel will be subject to the same funding fees without distinction to which branch they serve.  

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