Once a buyer and seller have agreed on the price for a house, they sign a purchase contract that outlines the terms of the deal and includes a closing date. Setting a specific date is intended to motivate all parties involved in the transaction to work expeditiously...
Call us to schedule a meeting.
Beth: 319-551-8692 | Katie: 319-327-7992
Blog
Which Mortgage Type Is Right for You?
Most people who want to purchase a house cant afford to pay cash and therefore need to take out a mortgage. The type of loan you choose will depend on your financial circumstances and plans and can have a significant impact on your monthly costs, so its essential to...
The Ultimate Deal-Breaker Checklist for Homebuyers
How many times have you heard the story about people who move into their dream home only to find out that theres a huge plumbing issue or noisy neighbors next door? Learn from their mistakes, and reconsider certain factors before signing on the dotted line. Heres a...
Pros and Cons of Choosing a House on a Cul-de-Sac
Many homebuyers choose to a purchase a house on a cul-de-sac just to avoid a busy street. However, there are pros and cons you should be aware of up front.TrafficSince there’s only one way in and out, a cul-de-sac has less traffic than a typical...
The Difference Between Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved
Many lenders pre-qualify or pre-approve mortgage applicants, which can help considerably in the buying process. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some important differences to note.In general, pre-qualification is considered an initial step in...
4 Steps to Win a Bidding War
From a buyer’s standpoint, getting into a bidding war for a house they want is never fun. They can offer more money than they ever planned to spend and still end up without the home of their dreams. A real estate agent should be able to tell you ahead of time if...
5 Surprising Things That Don’t Affect Your Credit Score
There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be...
Pros and Cons of Choosing a House in a Rural Area
Many people enjoy the convenience of living in a city or in the suburbs, with easy access to stores and entertainment and with neighbors nearby. For others, the idea of being surrounded by nature and away from all the hustle and bustle is appealing. If you are...
4 Tips for Picking the Right Neighborhood
Oh, the places you will goand the places you will want to avoid. Choosing the right neighborhood is as important as picking the right house. Your neighborhood will define many aspects of your day-to-day life, so you should research it carefully to be sure it meets...
Pros and Cons of a 15-Year Mortgage
Coming up with the down payment on a home can be hard enough, and one way to make a home more affordable is to spread out the mortgage payments over 30 years.But 30 years can be daunting, and that time can be cut down with a 15-year mortgage. Its a lot more expensive...
Sign up for our Email List
We regularly send out blog articles and newsletters about real estate, healthy homes, green homes and other home ownership topics.
What to Do If Your Closing Is Delayed
Once a buyer and seller have agreed on the price for a house, they sign a purchase contract that outlines the terms of the deal and includes a closing date. Setting a specific date is intended to motivate all parties involved in the transaction to work expeditiously...
Which Mortgage Type Is Right for You?
Most people who want to purchase a house cant afford to pay cash and therefore need to take out a mortgage. The type of loan you choose will depend on your financial circumstances and plans and can have a significant impact on your monthly costs, so its essential to...
The Ultimate Deal-Breaker Checklist for Homebuyers
How many times have you heard the story about people who move into their dream home only to find out that theres a huge plumbing issue or noisy neighbors next door? Learn from their mistakes, and reconsider certain factors before signing on the dotted line. Heres a...
Pros and Cons of Choosing a House on a Cul-de-Sac
Many homebuyers choose to a purchase a house on a cul-de-sac just to avoid a busy street. However, there are pros and cons you should be aware of up front.TrafficSince there’s only one way in and out, a cul-de-sac has less traffic than a typical...
The Difference Between Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved
Many lenders pre-qualify or pre-approve mortgage applicants, which can help considerably in the buying process. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some important differences to note.In general, pre-qualification is considered an initial step in...
4 Steps to Win a Bidding War
From a buyer’s standpoint, getting into a bidding war for a house they want is never fun. They can offer more money than they ever planned to spend and still end up without the home of their dreams. A real estate agent should be able to tell you ahead of time if...
5 Surprising Things That Don’t Affect Your Credit Score
There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be...
Pros and Cons of Choosing a House in a Rural Area
Many people enjoy the convenience of living in a city or in the suburbs, with easy access to stores and entertainment and with neighbors nearby. For others, the idea of being surrounded by nature and away from all the hustle and bustle is appealing. If you are...
4 Tips for Picking the Right Neighborhood
Oh, the places you will goand the places you will want to avoid. Choosing the right neighborhood is as important as picking the right house. Your neighborhood will define many aspects of your day-to-day life, so you should research it carefully to be sure it meets...
Pros and Cons of a 15-Year Mortgage
Coming up with the down payment on a home can be hard enough, and one way to make a home more affordable is to spread out the mortgage payments over 30 years.But 30 years can be daunting, and that time can be cut down with a 15-year mortgage. Its a lot more expensive...