4 Resources for First-Time Homebuyers

November 2, 2015 by nickdavis

4 Resources for First-Time Homebuyers

Surveys show that first-time buyers aren’t aware of how much they need to save for a down payment. Many people believe that buying a home requires they put down at least 20 percent of the purchase price, but down payments aren’t as big of an obstacle as people think. For example, a loan through the Federal Housing Administration could require a down payment as low as 3.5 percent; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have similarly low requirements.

If you qualify for a loan with a low down payment but still have trouble coming up with the cash, here are a few of the many programs out there that can help. Do some research to find out what’s available in your area.

Help getting down
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gives community development block grants to states and local governments across the country to help revitalize certain areas. HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program(HOME) is one such program. States often have their own programs for down payment assistance, too.
Opening up options for closing
The Federal National Mortgage Association, a.k.a. Fannie Mae, designed the HomePath Ready Buyer program to attract new homebuyers to the market. Through the program, qualifying first-time homebuyers can get assistance of up to 3 percent of closing costs after they pass an online homeownership course.
Making ownership less taxing
Some state governments provide first-time buyers with a tax credit to boost homeownership.
Helping heroes
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Guaranty Servicehelps veterans or surviving spouses obtain better terms for their mortgage by guaranteeing a portion of the loan. Some VA mortgages require no down payment.

Check the National Council of State Housing Agencies for more opportunities available in your state.

A buyer’s agent will be able to help you find the programs that operate in your area and are appropriate to your financial situation. Nick & Cindy Davis are here to assist you with your home purchase.

Filed Under: Advice, Apollo Beach, Ask a Realtor, Brandon, Buying a Home, Dade City, Florida, Home Buying, Homes for Sale, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Macdiill, Moving, New Construction, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, nick and cindy davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa, Uncategorized, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: 4 Resources for First-Time Homebuyers, homebuyers, nick and cindy davis, resources for first time homebuyers

7 Ways to Meet Your New Neighbors

October 12, 2015 by nickdavis

7 Ways to Meet Your New Neighbors

Now that you’ve settled into your new home, it’s time to the meet the neighbors. Here are a few tips to break the ice. Go ahead, don’t be shy!

1. Throw an informal happy hour
After all that unpacking (or staring exhaustedly at those boxes that need to be unpacked) hosting a party may be the last thing you want to do. But a casual gathering involves little effort. A couple bottles of wine, a few snacks and you’re set to meet new friends. Plus this is the one time you can get away with a disorganized house and still have people over — take advantage.

2. Get some fresh air
Hang out in your front yard or on your porch. Neighbors are much more likely to stop by to say hello if they see you sitting outside with a cup of coffee than if you’re inside and they have to knock on your door.

3. Go exploring
Jog through your new neighborhood instead of hitting the gym. Neighbors will at least wave, if not stop you for a quick chat.

4. Puppy pride
Walking your dog, or playing with him or her in your yard or local dog park, is an excellent way to meet people, especially other dog lovers.

5. Cruise garage sales
You might not want to actually buy anything since you just gave away a lot of accumulated junk before your move, but perusing garage sales is a great way to meet your neighbors. Check out the local paper or Craigslist to find out where to go.

6. Hang out with your kids
Volunteering at school or chatting with other parents at the playground can result in new friends for you and your kids.

7. Dust off those oven mitts
Bringing homemade cookies to the neighbors makes a great first impression. If you haven’t unpacked your kitchen, bakery or store-bought goodies will also be appreciated. Don’t forget to stop by with dog treats to make new canine friends as well!

Filed Under: Advice, Apollo Beach, Ask a Realtor, Brandon, Buying a Home, Dade City, Family, Florida, Home Buying, Home Ownership, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Macdiill, Moving, New Construction, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, nick and cindy davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: 7 Ways to Meet Your New Neighbors, getting to know your neighbors, moving into new home, neighbors

7 Ways to Reduce Stress When Buying or Selling a Home

October 5, 2015 by nickdavis

7 Ways to Reduce Stress When Buying or Selling a Home

Research has shown that buying or selling a home can be one of life’s most stressful events — right up there with filing for bankruptcy or getting a divorce. Preparation is the key to reducing anxiety. Here are a few tips:

1. Choose your agent carefully
An experienced pro will be prepared for every twist in the road, minimizing stress for you.

2. Home buyers: List before looking
Create and prioritize a list of “wants” and “needs” of home features before you begin touring properties. Waiting to think about what you’re truly looking for in a home until the showing will put you on the spot, creating anxiety.

3. Home buyers: Get mortgage preapproval
Having your finances ready eliminates white-knuckled waiting periods, or unpleasant surprises from lenders after you’ve found your dream home.

4. Don’t take things personally
It’s not you, it’s them. Or the market. Or the lender. Try not to take it personally if buyers value your home for less than what you’re asking, or if a seller rejects what you believe is a perfectly reasonable offer.

5. Keep things in perspective
Consider the worst-case scenario. Will you have to forage for food? Will you need to sell a kidney? Probably not. Other buyers will eventually materialize. Or you’ll find another home you love just as much as the one that got away.

6. Focus on something else
Give yourself a break and indulge in an activity that requires the undivided attention of your body and mind. Yoga lessons, anyone?

7. Find a four-legged friend
Petting and playing with animals is clinically proven to lower your blood pressure. And they won’t interrupt if you need to vent.

Talking things through with Nick & Cindy Davis is another way to de-stress. You can contact us here: www.TampaHomesSold.com

Filed Under: Advice, Apollo Beach, Ask a Realtor, Brandon, Buying a Home, Channelside, Dade City, Family, Fit to Sell, Florida, Home Buying, Home Selling, Homes for Sale, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Macdiill, Moving, New Construction, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Short sale, Tampa, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: 7 Ways to Reduce Stress When Buying or Selling a Home, home buying, home selling, nick and cindy davis

September 2015 Item of Value – Great Learning Apps for Your Phone!

September 21, 2015 by nickdavis

Looking to learn a new language or improve your cognitive skills, memory or focus? In this month’s Item of Value you will find some fun, interactive brain-boosting Apps for your phone that will help you do just that! Enjoy!

Filed Under: Florida, Home Buying, Home Selling, Nick & Cindy Davis, nick and cindy davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa

7 ways a buyer’s agent makes life easier!

August 17, 2015 by nickdavis

As a potential home-buyer, it’s important that you understand the two different types of real estate agents. A seller’s agent looks out for the interests of the person selling the property while a buyer’s agent can serve as your advocate during your home search. Here are just a few reasons to enlist a buyer’s agent’s help.

1. They save time
These days, you can glean tons of information (not all of it accurate) on your own from the Internet. An agent can use their experience and expertise to streamline your search, guiding you to the properties that are truly appropriate and eliminating legwork on your end.

2. They have the inside scoop
Thanks to their professional network, agents often know of properties before they hit online listing sites.

3. They keep you in check
Shopping for your next home can be an emotionally charged, overwhelming experience. A buyer’s agent can help you keep your main objectives – and financial limitations – in mind as you sift through properties with alluring features.

4. They a have team of experts on speed dial
An agent can save you time, heartache and dollars by connecting you with trusted service providers such as painters, inspectors and insurance brokers.

5. They play hardball
Buyer’s agents are professional negotiators, with the skills and experience needed to get a fair price for you.

6. They don’t get paper cuts
They’ll help you complete all the time-consuming paperwork accurately and on time.

7. They’ll be the first to congratulate you when you close
A buyer’s agent will be your advocate at closing, making sure all your interests are protected as you sign that pile of forms at the settlement table.

Interested to learn more about how we can assist with your unique buying needs? Get in touch with us: Nick & Cindy Davis

Filed Under: Advice, Apollo Beach, Brandon, Buying a Home, Dade City, Family, Florida, Home Buying, Homes for Sale, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Macdiill, Moving, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, nick and cindy davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa, Uncategorized, Veterans, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: 7 ways a buyer’s agent makes life easier, buyer's agent, buyer's agent benefits, buyer's agent defined, buyer's agent definition, buyer's agent description, buyer's agent do what, buyer's agent florida, buyer's agent in real estate, buyer's agent job description, buyer's agent real estate, buyer's agent tampa, buyers agent job, buyers agent jobs, buyers agents, description

Who Knew? 10 Great Things About Moving

July 27, 2015 by nickdavis

Who Knew? 10 Great Things About Moving

Is all the lifting, hauling and packing of your move squashing the thrill of a fresh start? Totally understandable. But there’s a silver lining to every cardboard box. Here are 10 reasons to look forward to moving day.

You can lose the junk mail. When you fill out your USPS® change-of-address form, it’s easy to check the “do not forward catalogs, etc.” box.
You might find that lost earring, shoe, cellphone, etc. Though the cellphone may be too old for today’s tech, the satisfaction of finally discovering what happened to a lost item as you’re packing things up is priceless.
You’ll find out who your true friends are. The ones that show up to help you pack and move are keepers.
You can pay people to do just about every aspect of moving for you. There are professional services or people on Craigslist looking for odd jobs who will do it all, from cleaning the fridge to boxing your underwear.
As you pack, you’ll probably come across things that spark vivid memories. It’s a great time to smile, remember and be grateful.
The promise of having one more box you don’t have to unpack later is a powerful motivator for de-cluttering. And, if you can’t let things go, you’ll at least have a better idea of how serious your hoarding issue is.
Your new neighbors will have no idea you accidentally backed over your old neighbors’ mailbox.
The quiver of excitement and satisfaction that comes with taping shut the very last moving box.
Moving is a very good excuse for a cocktail party to empty all your remaining bottles and finish off those condiments in the fridge. Why risk transporting that bottle of fine bourbon?
The housewarming party!

The best thing about moving, of course, is your new home. Contact a Nick & Cindy Davis to help you find it: www.TampaHomesSold.com

Filed Under: Advice, Apollo Beach, Ask a Realtor, Brandon, Buying a Home, Family, Florida, Home Buying, Home Selling, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Moving, New Construction, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, nick and cindy davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: 10 Great Things About Moving, moving 101, moving 360, moving tips, moving usa

6 Questions to Ask on a Home Tour

July 20, 2015 by nickdavis

6 Questions to Ask on a Home Tour

Thanks to the Internet and our digital tools, you can learn a lot about a home before visiting, such as when the house was built and the HOA or tax costs. Some things, however, are best to ask us in person when you’re touring a property.

1. Why are the owners selling?
The agent isn’t obligated to tell you, but he or she might. The answer could reveal issues not included in the listing description. Is there a new highway planned nearby? Are the HOA restrictions too much for the sellers to handle? If the agent does reveal, for instance, that the owner is desperate to close quickly, you might be able to use that to your advantage when negotiating price.

2. What’s the sellers’ timeline?
Do the property owners need to relocate immediately for work? Or are they waiting for their children to finish the current school year? It’s important that your timeline for moving into the home and the owner’s timeline for moving out line up.

3. What, exactly, is for sale?
Find out precisely what’s included in the sales price. That nifty new fridge with the built-in smart screen you admire might be going with the sellers to their new home. Learn whether the appliances and fixtures, such as ceiling fans, are included in the sale price.

4. Are there any issues with the property?
Yes, the sellers are required to reveal most problems, but a chatty sales agent might reveal more than is included in the disclosure document. It certainly can’t hurt to ask.

5. How are the neighbors?
Ask about the types of people that live nearby. Retirees? Young families with kids? College students? The primary population will influence the overall culture of the neighborhood and can help you determine if this is the home for you.

6. Have the owners completed any major home projects?
Lots of recent home improvements could mean the property is in better shape than ever, ready for you to enjoy. It could also indicate more work will need to be done in the future. Be sure to get the full story about any recent property updates.

You’ll have tons of questions as you search for your next home. Nick & Cindy Davis can help you find the answers. To get started on your New Home Search, start here: www.TampaHomesSold.com

Filed Under: Advice, Apollo Beach, Ask a Realtor, Brandon, Buying a Home, Channelside, Dade City, Florida, Home Buying, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Macdiill, Moving, New Construction, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, nick and cindy davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa, Uncategorized, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: 6 Questions to Ask on a Home Tour, questions to ask a home builder, questions to ask a home building contractor, questions to ask during a home visit, questions to ask homeowner, questions to ask on a home tour, questions to ask on a home visit, questions to ask when touring a home to buy, questions to ask while touring a home

6 Decisions to Make Before the Home Search

June 29, 2015 by nickdavis

In the market for a new home but have no idea where to start? There are several decisions you should begin to make before you even start your home search. By asking yourself the right questions, you can quickly pinpoint what you want – and can afford – in your next home.

What’s your budget?

What do you need in your new home?

Do you want a condo or single-family home?

How do you feel about living under covenants?

What school district do you want to be near?

Should the home be move-in ready?

After considering all these factors, you'll be ready to start the home search with a clearer picture of where you're headed. When that time comes, let a Nick & Cindy Davis guide you all the way there. To see the complete article visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

Filed Under: Advice, Ask a Realtor, Brandon, Buying a Home, Florida, Home Buying, Homes for Sale, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Macdiill, Moving, New Construction, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa, Veterans, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: best home search site 2015, Decisions to Make Before the Home Search, home search, home search by county, home search by map, home search by mls, home search checklist, home search engines, home search florida, home search mls, home search online, home search real estate, home search realtor, home search sites, home search tampa fl, home search tips, home search tools, home search united states, home search usa, home search websites

5 Resources When You’re in Between Homes

June 22, 2015 by nickdavis

5 Resources When You’re in Between Homes

Sold your home but haven’t found your next place yet? Don’t panic. These digital days, it’s easier than ever to locate temporary living arrangements. Some suggestions on where to turn:

Your buyers
Craigslist
Airbnb & VRBO or Social media
University housing
Long-term suites & corporate housing

We will go more in depth into each area. To see the complete article please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

Filed Under: Advice, Apollo Beach, Ask a Realtor, Buying a Home, Dade City, Family, Florida, Home Buying, Home Selling, Land O Lakes, Moving, Moving with Pets, New Construction, New Tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, RE/MAX, realtors, Tampa, Wesley Chapel Tagged With: moving, moving to tampa, Nick & Cindy Davis, Relocating