Most people will change where they live multiple times during the course of their lives. We’ve moved away from the concept of buying a house and living in the same property your entire life. Some people still think that a forever home should be a thing to aspire to, and that’s perfectly fine. However, many young people are looking at the real estate market like a bunch of stepping stones. The new tactic is to get your foot in the real estate game and start with what you can afford. In this article, we will go through what to consider before buying a starter home.

Be realistic with what you can afford

When people talk about starter homes, they usually think of something modest and cheap. The idea is to buy a home that fits your current needs, but most importantly – something that you can afford. The two most important things you need to consider before buying a starter home are: how much money you have for a down payment and what kind of mortgage you will be able. ...

First-time homebuyers are faced with many challenges and dilemmas. When you are in the market to buy a home, one of the first things you need to decide is where you want to live. Perhaps you have family ties or a job that draws you to a particular state or region. Even then, you have a lot of options. Recently we’ve seen more people flock to the suburbs and away from busy and crowded downtown areas of major cities. If you feel like you fit the description, we offer you our guide for first-time suburbanites for buying a perfect home.
Pros of living in the suburbs
Many young people have felt their habits and lifestyle change due to the lockdowns we have faced the last year. Now that the pandemic is reaching its end, we will be living in a post-covid world. The time has come to re-evaluate your priorities. Working from home and fewer nights out have made city centers lose their appeal. And for first-time suburbanites, buying a perfect home away from the chaos of the big city sound; ...

Fielding an influx of buyer's offers is, at first blush, every homeowner's dream scenario. While going with the highest bid may seem like the obvious choice, things are not quite that simple. The process of sifting through the offers and weighing all the different factors can be challenging because the 'best' offer may not be as straightforward. Moreover, top-selling agents, whose years of experience have earned them the shrewd negotiator badge, warn against various issues that might surface while trying to handle multiple offers when selling a home. Luckily, we lay out some strategies before you to help to maximize your return and, at the same time, avoid high-risk buyers whose offers to purchase your property might evaporate.
Make sure that the house lives up to the price tag
Well-executed staging plays a crucial part in achieving top dollar. The buyer will appreciate that you put in the time and resources to present your property in the best light and make it move-in ready. The laE ...

Closing Costs — Who Pays What?
The parties to a real estate sale may negotiate who will pay certain closing costs. In the absence of an agreement, local custom calls for each party to pay those closing costs related to that portion of the transaction for which they are responsible.
Typically Incurred by the Seller

State Conveyance tax
.75% of sale price up to $800k
1.25% of sale price above $800k 
Local Conveyance Tax
Westport, Weston, Wilton, Fairfield, Easton, Redding - .25%
Stamford - .35%
Norwalk - .50%
Realtor’s Fee — Negotiable
Attorney’s Fee — $1000 - $1500 +/-

Recording Fee (Release of existing mortgage) —
$200 +/-
Real Estate Taxes — Unpaid balance
Mortgage Payoff — Unpaid balance
Typically Incurred by the Buyer
Home Inspection Fees:
General Building Inspection — $1000 +
Pool —$200 - $300 +/-
Asbestos — 350 +/-
Radon — $100 +/-
Sep ...

These past couple of months under quarantine have seemed to stretch on forever, and what’s ahead is uncertain. 


However, what we do know is this: at some point, the coronavirus crisis will pass and we’ll be able to leave our homes, engage with other people, and—if you’re in the market to buy or sell a house—get back to the typical schedule of home showings and open houses. 


So what can you do now to put yourself in a strong position once the coronavirus has been contained? Here’s where to start. 


Buying Tips During Coronavirus


If you were planning on buying a house before the pandemic began, you’ve probably gone back and forth a bit as the virus has progressed. Should you continue to search? Or wait it out? 


No matter what your decision is, it’s always a good idea to continue working on making yourself an attractive buyer. That means protecting or building up your down payment fund, finding a g; ...