by Patricia Roos | Oct 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
In real estate negotiations, it’s not uncommon for both buyers or sellers to include expiration dates on offers and counteroffers. These deadlines serve several important purposes that help keep the process efficient, transparent, and fair to both sides. First...
by Patricia Roos | Sep 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
Every home experiences some degree of movement over time, often called settling. It’s a natural part of the aging process for any structure, especially in areas with varying soil conditions, temperature swings, or after the first few years of construction. While...
by Patricia Roos | Sep 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
Losing a spouse is a deeply emotional experience and the financial decisions that follow can feel overwhelming. One important area to understand during this time is how the IRS treats the sale of a primary residence after the death of a spouse. Under certain...
by Patricia Roos | Sep 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
A temporary buydown is a great tool to help ease into homeownership with lower initial monthly payments, especially helpful in a high-rate environment. It allows you to enjoy reduced payments in the first one to three years of the loan, offering financial flexibility...
by Patricia Roos | Sep 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
If you’re buying a home�or already own one�home insurance might not be the most exciting part of the process. But it is one of the most important. In many cases, home insurance is required to secure a mortgage, but even if it weren’t, having the right...
by Patricia Roos | Sep 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
When financing a home, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is often the go-to option because of its lower monthly payment. But for buyers who can comfortably afford a higher payment, the 15-year mortgage deserves a closer look and may lead to significantly greater...
by Patricia Roos | Aug 26, 2025 | Uncategorized
One of the biggest benefits of homeownership is the ability to build equity�the portion of your home you truly own. Equity grows naturally over time in two ways: first, as you pay down your mortgage through regular payments (amortization), and second, as your home...
by Patricia Roos | Aug 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
There was a memorable Fram Oil Filter commercial years ago where a mechanic asked a customer during an oil change if he wanted to replace the filter. When the customer declined, the mechanic calmly replied, "That’s okay with me. You can pay me now, or you...
by Patricia Roos | Aug 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people will ever make, yet it’s a process fraught with potential pitfalls. The good news? By learning from the common mistakes others have made, you can sidestep unnecessary stress, save...
by Patricia Roos | Aug 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
With high home prices, more buyers may turn to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans in the coming year. These government-backed mortgages are known for their flexible borrower requirements, such as lower credit scores and down payments as low as 3-5%. However,...
