If you’re a first-time buyer or if you’ve lived in the last home you bought for a long time and it’s been a while since you’ve gone through the buying process, I’ve got a checklist for you of what expenses to expect.


Surprise! It’s not just the down payment! You’ll need to bring more cash to the closing table than your down payment alone.

This can differ from state to state, but I’m a realtor in north metro Atlanta, so here’s a breakdown for Georgia:

First, right after you get an accepted offer on your new home, you’ll want to schedule an inspection. There are many professional inspection companies across metro Atlanta. You and your family many already know of one or I have several I can refer to you. 

Often inspectors base pricing on the square footage of the home (more house = more time to look it over!) and may offer several optional add-ons like a radon test or termite inspection.



At least 3 busin ...

Are you looking to buy your first home this year? Or if it has been several years since you last purchased a home, you might as well be a first-time buyer! The housing market in North Metro Atlanta is on fire right now with unprecedented seller’s market conditions. 

So what should you expect as a first-time buyer in 2022? Here are the best ways you can prepare and insight into the house hunting adventure!


Preparation Before You Even Start

Doing your research before jumping into this market is vital! Figuring what to do and what not to do before you start your home search should make this process easier.
Saving up for a down payment is a challenge, but truly gives you a competitive advantage when making an offer on a home you love. Strive for 20% which is not mandatory to get a loan, but will set you apart from other offers.

You’ll also want to have cash on hand to cover closing costs. In this market, it’s typical to see sellers pay 0% of closing co; ...

This week, the Bunch Team is happy to host guest blogger, Candace Sigmon! You could say Candace Sigmon was born to DIY. She has always loved to tinker, fix, and build, and she has been working on home projects with her dad pretty much ever since she could hold a hammer. She created AtHomeHelper.com because she thought it might be fun to share some of what she has learned along the way as well as resources that she finds especially useful.
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Photo via Pexels
 
Working from home offers many benefits. For one thing, you can eliminate a lengthy commute from your life. You may also find that you're more productive. In fact, the top advantage people cite about home office life is the ability to better balance personal and work life. That said, if you want to stay focused when working from home, it's important to clearly delineate your professional and private spheres.
 
The best way to do that is to create a dedicated office space, free from the dis. ...

Earth Day (earthday.org), April 22, is the one day we shift the world's focus on the earth's health, but with everyone making small habit changes to improve the planet’s well-being, it can be a year-round undertaking.


Some are concerned about lowering their carbon footprint, while others are driven by reducing energy costs and living in a healthier and more comfortable home. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ “2022 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends” report, 30% of all buyers considered environmentally friendly features very important.

Traditionally big-ticket energy-saving technologies, like smart thermostats, LED lighting, and solar panels continue to come down in price making them more accessible to the average homeowner. Likewise, electric cars have recently made huge strides in improved technology and affordability.
 
No matter your motivation or your budget, here are some changes you can make at home that; ...

Last month, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates exceeded 4% for the first time since before the pandemic, and this month, the national average crossed above 5%. While the Federal Reserve doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, its policies influence mortgage rate movement. The Fed’s announcement of multiple rate increases in 2022 will put upward pressure on mortgage rates throughout the rest of the year.

What does this mean for you? How do interest rates on home loans and their ups and downs affect your purchasing power?


3 Different Interest Rates and Their Impact on Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

I’ve set up an example based on this house:


For our example, this house hits the market, listed at $365,000. You love it and want to put an offer in. 

When you go to get pre-approved for a loan to buy a house, lenders look at how much income you have coming in each month compared to the debts you pay monthly. From this calculation, they can tell you how muc; ...