A mortgage lender looks at several factors when deciding whether to approve a loan application. A lending institution wants to know that a borrower has both the ability and the will to repay debts. If you have a high income and a low credit score, a lender may have reservations about approving your mortgage application.
If you need money for home improvements, to pay college tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds with favorable terms through a second mortgage. Before you do so, it’s important to make sure you understand the terms and potential risks.
As a First Time Home Buyer, you may be confused about how to make that home purchase happen. We all know it takes more than just the desire to buy a home in this day and age. It takes planning too. Here are some insights to keep in mind when working toward owning a home.
To the 70 million fathers in the U.S. and the countless more father figures, thank you for shaping the children (and adult children) in your lives! We hope that those who are celebrating June 21st with their father or father figure have a wonderful day. And to those who are missing their father/father figure more than usual this week, we are sending our love.
Please read on for some dad-related trivia in honor of Father’s Day!
Has spending more time at home lately had you reconsidering your space? The quirks you lived with just a few months ago might not be so easy to dismiss when you’re stuck with them all day, every day. I think many of us are going through a Goldilocks moment. Our homes are too big, too small, too old, not in the right place, etc. etc.! Are you ready for a new home that is just right? A lot of us are going through that evaluation. Here’s how to tell if your relationship with your house can recover or if it’s time to move on.
5 Stars!
We know this Mother’s Day will look a little different than normal, but there is no reason it can’t be a special and memorable one. We at The Lise Howe Group still intend to celebrate, so we put together two lists (one for gifting and one for things to do with your mom) to get you in the spirit.
For those who love gifting and will take any excuse, we present you with a Mother’s Day gift guide that should cover most moms’ interests. Our second list involves things to do with your mom or the mother figure in your life, both in person and virtually! Read on for some inspiration–and if you plan on celebrating on the 10th, we would love to hear from you about what you’re planning!
Dear Friends,
I know that with COVID-19 comes a lot of uncertainty, anxiety, and even fear as we anticipate what is to come. I want to make sure you know that I am here to help in any capacity you may need–whether that is real estate advice or otherwise.
As a realtor in the DC area for over 30 years, I know lots of local professionals, and I am happy to connect you with wonderful people and companies who can help meet your needs (again, whether real estate related or not) during this challenging time. Despite the constant barrage of bad news, there are good people out there who want to do their part for others–particularly for those whose health or livelihood are directly impacted by this virus.
When it comes to real estate, I’ve gotten questions from some of you about whether it’s even wise to buy or sell a home during this unprecedented time. I want to take this opportunity to assure you that the market continues to hum along–homes are still selling and buyers are still buying. I have had several offers come in this week on my listings, and I continue to have conversations with buyers who are actively shopping for a new home.
Furthermore, real estate professionals are making adjustments to the way we do business to ensure that we carry on working as usual and that the health and safety of our clients is first priority. I am no exception!
For sellers, I can easily replace an in home consultation with a Facetime call or video conference and virtually gather the information I need to put your home on the market. I also have ways to work around showings, including making full use of my relationships with people and companies who buy homes outright.
For buyers, I am more than happy to tour a home and have you right there with me on Facetime, Skype, you name it–there are plenty of ways to provide a virtual tour of your dream home while you remain in the comfort of your current home.
I am here to offer sound advice based on facts, market conditions, and research–if you need a voice of reason, please give me a call!
And beyond the real estate market, if you need someone to talk to, to connect you with local resources, or simply to offer support, I am here!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 240-401-5577 or lise@lisehowe.com at any time.
Finally, a huge thank you to our medical professionals, grocery store clerks, sanitation workers, mailmen and women, and everyone else risking their health so we can maintain some normalcy in these difficult times.
And to everyone who is uniquely vulnerable right now based on their livelihood, their health, their age, or anything else–I am thinking of you and I am here if you’d like to reach out.
Sincerely,
Lise Howe
240-401-5577
lise@lisehowe.com
The Lise Howe Group
Keller Williams Capital Properties
4646 40th Street NW
Washington DC 20016
We know that some buyers and sellers are putting their real estate plans on hold temporarily while they are trying to sort out the impact of COVID 19 on the real estate market. However, other clients still are eager to buy and sell. Rest assured, lots of homes are selling in the DC metro area.
With interest rates hitting incredibly low numbers, you might be thinking of refinancing your home. You may be considering whether to choose a 30 year fixed mortgage again with so many options to choose from. Regardless of which type of mortgage you choose, you want to be prepared when you call your lender. Remember when you got your finances in order to apply for your original mortgage? You want to prepare for a home refi in the same way.
