Posts by Frank Dowd
The Trouble With Simultaneous Closings
There is already a lot of stress associated with selling your home and buying a new one. However, if you decide to close on both properties in the same day, you’ve just added another level of stress to the process. That’s according to Frank Dowd, a licensed title agent and the founder of Associates Land…
Read Full ArticleHow to Make Your Offer Stand Out
When you fall in love with a home in your budget range, it can be magical. It might also be the start of a fierce competition; it’s very possible that there are other buyers out there that feel the same way you do. Good news – there are ways to make your offer stand out…
Read Full ArticleShould You Make Renovations Before Selling Your House?
Instead of looking for big projects you think your home needs before it hits the market, there are a lot of small and inexpensive things you can do that can make all the difference. Especially since expensive projects are rarely worth your time and money if your goal is simply to sell your house.
Read Full ArticleUnderstanding the Financial Process When Buying a New House
If you’re a first time homebuyer, you’ve probably realized that the process isn’t an easy one. To ensure that everything goes well, it’s important to prepare as much as possible beforehand. When it comes to the financial aspect of buying a house, you should know what will be expected of you before you can get…
Read Full ArticleThe Times They Are a’Changin’: Will the Zillow-Trulia Merger Change the Way We Buy and Sell Real Estate In America?
Will the Zillow-Trulia merger streamline the currently disconnected home-buying/selling process and reduce the amount of money it costs to buy and sell real estate? The merger is a huge deal, and the impact of it will ripple across the entire real estate industry, affecting homebuyers and home sellers in a number of different ways. Finally.
Read Full ArticleIs Shopping for a Title Insurance and Settlement Service Company a Waste of Time?
So, your realtor just referred you to a title insurance and settlement company. But that doesn’t mean that’s where you’ll get the best deal or the best service. “Homebuyers should shop around because the cost of the services, as well as the services themselves, will vary greatly from company to company,” said Frank Dowd, Licensed…
Read Full ArticleUnderstanding a Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
A homeowner’s insurance policy is designed to protect you and your home from perils. Here is a look at the basics of what this type of insurance policy is, what you’ll be covered for, and anything else you may want to consider when taking out an insurance policy on your house.
Read Full ArticleWhy You Should Consider Investing In and Around College Campuses in Philly
Ever since the real estate bubble burst, many have shied away from investing in real estate. Now that the market is slowly on the mend, you may be toying with the idea of buying a rental property. One place you should definitely consider? College campuses in Philadelphia and the areas around them.
Read Full ArticleDon’t Make These Mortgage Mistakes
Buying a house is often more complicated than most people expect; it’s not a matter of simply finding a house you like and giving the seller money for it. There are a number of different steps you have to take in order to make it officially yours. One of the biggest, but extremely important, aspects…
Read Full ArticleShould I Have an Attorney Present When Buying New Construction?
One of the biggest ways you can protect yourself when buying from a builder is by hiring an attorney to review any contracts before you sign them.
Read Full ArticleSecret Advice for Realtors
There’s more to being a real estate agent than simply having your real estate license, showing people houses, and filling out paperwork. What really makes you stand out from the rest of the realtor pool is the type of experience you create for your clients. How can you stand out? Check out these tips from the experts themselves.
Read Full ArticleA Mortgage Prequalification Ain’t as Easy as it Used to Be
If you wanted to buy a house twenty-five years ago, you would have called your lender and asked for a prequalification letter. You would have told him/her your annual income and how much cash you had for a down payment “Those days are long gone,” says Dan Avanzato, President of Norstar Mortgage Services in North…
Read Full ArticleMust-Have Homebuyer Apps
Buying a house is an exciting time, but a stressful one as well. More often than not, homebuyers are burdened with self-doubt, confusion over paperwork and industry-related jargon, and the general stress of making a huge financial commitment—all of which make it difficult to stay on the ball. Fortunately, however, there are apps for that.…
Read Full ArticleShould You Take Out a Second Mortgage?
Years ago, second mortgages were all the rage; with the appeal of gaining access to extra cash, it’s obvious why that was the case. But then the recession hit, leaving millions of homeowners with an unfit match of high mortgage payments and reduced income. Not a fun time. However, now that the economy is slowly…
Read Full ArticleYes, It’s True – Fees Are Negotiable When Buying a House
When you’re buying a new house, the actual house itself isn’t the only thing you’re paying for—there are a number of fees that are rolled into the final price in order to make it officially yours. Although many experienced homebuyers are aware of the extra costs, there are plenty of first-timers who are hit with…
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