Susan Kramm-Realtor-Realty Executives Battlefords

3 Tips for Making Your Dream of Buying a Home Come True

#1   Automate Your Down Payment

       The Down payment is one of the biggest barriers to home ownership.  Jumpstart your savings by automatically having a small amount of your paycheck be transferred into a separate savings account or “house fund”

Down payment takes discipline & perseverance, but setting up automatic savings can make it easier.  If you never see the cash, you won’t spend it.

#2   Build Your Credit History and Keep it Clean

       When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will want to see that you have been able to pay off past debts.  This means staying on top of paying your student loans, credit cards, and car loans on time! 

Credit bureaus recommend using no more than 32% of the credit available to you.

#3 Practice Living on a Budget

      Downsizing your spending now will allow you to save more for a down payment and pay down other debts to improve your credit score.  “95% of first time home buyers are willing to make sacrifices to buy their home faster” 

The top 3 sacrifices are “New Clothes”  “New Car”  and “Traveling” 

• Setting up an automatic savings plan that saves a small amount of every check is one of the best ways to save without thinking too much about it.
• Living within a budget right now will help you save money for down payments while also paying down other debts that might be holding you back.
• What are you willing to cut back on to make your dreams of homeownership a reality?

Staying On Track When Buying A Home

Home Buying is such a confusing time, riddled with uncertainty and fear.  You are juggling so many interests.  So before you even begin your home search it's always best to have a clear goal in mind of what your deal breakers are and what you can live with.  Knowing your criteria in advance will help to make quick informed decisions and ensure you stay on track of your ultimate objective.

That’s where I can help!  After discussion about your wants and needs, I can help you stay on track.  It is so easy to get distracted by a beautifully staged home and choosing to pursue it when in reality it is not at all what you wanted.  Sometimes it is the best choice, but often we get so confused that we forget to focus in on our real needs. 

As a knowledgeable expert i can help you prepare the best deal, avoid delays and costly mistakes.  I subscribe to a strict code of ethics and can make a difference in your home buying experience. 

Objective Information And Opinions.  I can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. I can often provide objective information about each property. I can provide data to help you determine if the property has what you need.

Negotiation Knowledge. There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. I will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.

Up-To-Date Experience. Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. I have handled hundreds of transactions over my career.

I Will Be Your Rock During Emotional Moments. A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.

Learn more by contacting Susan Kramm at Realty Executives Battlefords Today!

What Do You Hate About Renting? 

Every year around this time, we take time to reflect and plan for next year. If you are renting your current home but have dreams of homeownership, your plan for the new year may include buying, and you wouldn’t be alone!

Everyone should realize that unless you are living somewhere rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s. Buying your own home provides you with a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to use your monthly housing costs to increase your family’s wealth.

Every month that you pay your mortgage, you are paying off a portion of the debt that you took on to purchase your home. Therefore, you own a little bit more of your home every month in the form of home equity. As your home’s value increases you also gain home equity.

Bottom Line is if you are one of the many renters who is fed up with rising rents but may be confused about what is required to buy in today’s market, contact Susan as I can help you on your path to homeownership.

YOUR HOME SEARCH?

You have made a decision to purchase a home.  Congratulations!  It will be the biggest financial decision you have made to date.  The last thing you want is to make a mistake.  As your realtor I understand and my job is to help you thru the information allowing you make a good decision for YOU!   

FACTORS TO CONSIDER PRIOR TO YOUR HOME SEARCH

• How much of that limit are you willing to spend

• Often paint can make a huge difference to the look of the home while allowing you to make it your own. 
• The Information age exposes you to so many DIY Projects and Ideas that can be done on any budget.  PIN’s
• Paid Handymen can often do repairs and change and fix for a very reasonable price                                                  Consider--immediate, 1 yr, 3 yrs, 5 yrs, 10 yrs

• Evaluate your situation—needs and wants for what’s right for you. 
• Focus on the Living Space…That’s where most of your time will be spent
• TV watchers?  Like to cook?  Kids need an area to play?
• If you have a dog you will probably need a fenced yard
• If you have lots of company coming that stays over for a few days or more.
• If you have children –where will they play and put away toys. 

• That beautiful decorating and style is leaving with the previous  owner

• Condition of them and replacement is a consideration

THE SEARCH BEGINS

• I’m sure you will be checking the internet and have a few homes that seem to fit the search.  (pictures can sometimes tell a thousand words)
• Often Buyers drive by the homes they choose and see just what the neighbours are like.  Drive to the home different times of the day.  How does the neighbourhood show from the back?
• Looks good put it on your list for a home viewing. 
• As your realtor, we will have discussed your wants and needs and can assist you in offering you options that fit your criteria.  Combining your research with my knowledge of the community saves time and often superior results. 

HOME VIEWING

Sellers work hard to prepare their home for showings and as a responsible Buyer you should view all of the homes that fit your criteria, but don’t inconvenience the sellers and waste time to view homes that don’t meet your needs or are out of your price range.  This practice ends up being very detrimental to your home search.   

• A word of caution—If you view too many homes without the above process you can become confused and frustrated.  This leads often to you as a buyer making the wrong choice. 
• By viewing first had a house can feel like a home.  The onsite inspection also allows you to see comparable homes and make you feel much more comfortable with VALUE. 

• This process allows to focus in on your needs and wants and not gets caught up in the process which can take you down the wrong path.  HAPPY HOUSE HUNTING!

SIGN RIDERS WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

Allow Instant access to information about a seller’s property.    

When you text 306-500-4114 message Susan – all my current listings will be present.  You can search by ADDRESS, by LOCATION or by MLS #. 

Instant access to information.    

• REALTY EXECUTIVES PRESENTS Video, Price And Property Details-Beds, Baths, Square Footage.
• AGENT INFORMATION- With Contact Information And A Link To My Website
• VIEW MY LISTINGS LINK
• MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
• PRINTABLE BROCHURE
• WALK SCORE
• LOCAL WEATHER-
• DRIVING DIRECTIONS WITH GOOGLE MAPS
• NAVIGATION-PICTURES OF THE PROPERTY
• SHARE WITH A FRIEND-Text Or Email
• You will see a sign Rider on top of each FOR SALE sign on the property
• The text access number is also displayed wherever the property is marketed.  (newsletter insert sheet-etc)

Buying a home should be an exciting experience that you are prepared for with NO stress. As your trusted Real Estate Broker I am here to walk you through all of the important steps & provide you all of the information you need to make the most important purchase, your home. I can assist you with your home, cottage, a home for a family member or a rental property.  Ensure you are getting exactly the service you want and deserve by calling me today

Looking to Qualiry for a Mortgage and Become a Home Owner?

Many home buyers think that if they pay more rent than a mortgage payment, the lender will approve them to purchase.  Lenders want to see a history of how you pay your bills. 

What do you need to have to qualify for a mortgage?

• Banks and mortgage brokers are looking at your credit score.What is your income, where you are employed and for how long?
  • Do you make your payments on time?
  • Do you have any unpaid collections?
  • Do you have credit cards, or lines of credit and do you have a history of managing them well. 
• What is your debt and what is your debt ratio to income?

ESTABLISHING A GOOD CREDIT SCORE:

Even if you are a couple each of you should establish your own individual credit history.

Ideally, everyone should have 2 active credit samples when applying for a mortgage, with a 2-year history.  

• If payments are paid on time you will have a strong credit score.  This shows the lender that you are able to pay your debts in a timely manner. 
• It shows that you can manage approved credit without using the maximum limit. Ideally, you don’t want to exceed  50-70% of your credit limit
• If your credit is getting checked it will affect your score, every time it is checked it can lower your score.  ( applying for credit cards, or purchasing a vehicle, bank shopping)

AVOID COLLECTIONS, JUDGEMENTS OR WRITE OFF ACCOUNTS.

• Unpaid balances have to be paid to qualify for a mortgage
• If you are having issues make arrangements to get the balance paid to zero
• Once reported it will not go away, it will stay on your report. 
• These do not fall off your credit

A broker can be very helpful with advice in re-establishing your credit.  If your credit is not strong…seek advice you will be amazed at how quickly you can correct and get yourself on track.  It never goes away so the faster you deal with a poor credit score, the faster you can repair it. 

Buying a home should be an exciting experience that you are prepared for with NO stress. As your trusted Real Estate Broker I am here to walk you through all of the important steps & provide you all of the information you need to make the most important purchase, your home. I can assist you with your home, cottage, a home for a family member or a rental property.  Ensure you are getting exactly the service you want and deserve by calling me today. 

Saving Money is Easier Than You Think it is

Just about everyone could do with saving a few pennies for a rainy day, but sometimes cutting back on financial expenses can be tough.  Here are several easy ways to save money that you may not have considered:

1.         Carpool to work.  Sharing a ride with neighbors or colleagues is not only good for the environment, but it’s easy on the wallet as well.  Ride-sharing even one day a week has been shown to save carpoolers 10%–20% of commuting costs.  Bonus tip:  If carpooling doesn’t work with your schedule, look into taking public transportation instead of driving.  You’ll save money on gas, car maintenance, and parking. You can find the transit schedule on http://www.cityofnb.ca

2.         Make a meal plan.  Dining out takes a huge bite out of many family budgets because most people don’t plan ahead.  Every weekend, draw up a meal plan for the week ahead and shop for the needed ingredients.  The excuse that “there’s nothing to eat” won’t be an option when dinner time rolls around.

Bonus tip:  Take a detailed list to the grocery store so you won’t be tempted to buy items on an impulse.

3.         Maintain your vehicle.  Schedule oil changes and appropriate tune-ups when recommended.  These have a financial cost upfront, but simple, ongoing maintenance work is far less expensive than major repairs that might be required if these are overlooked.  Bonus tip:  Learn how to change the oil in your car and perform basic maintenance yourself to avoid paying shop fees.  Or, find a friend or neighbor who has these skills and make an exchange.  An oil change for a week’s worth of dog walking only requires time!

4.         Read e-books.  Instead of buying new hard-copy editions, purchase digital books, which can be significantly less expensive.  Bonus tip:  Can’t give up the good ol’ ink-and-paper book?  You can still save money by shopping at used bookstores or purchasing used books online.  Alternatively, hold a book-swapping party with friends and you’ll all walk away with new-to-you books at no cost.