Home Renters Insurance Homeloans

Take the fear out of homebuying

With the current low mortgage interest rates and available homebuyer programs, some renters are deciding taking the plunge into homeownership. Are you one of them?

The complexity of the transaction and the increased financial obligations can make buying a home seem a little scary, but you can arm yourself with information. A little research and some help from your Texas realtor can reduce stress and increase your satisfaction with the homebuying process. Here are some tips to help you avoid making common first-time homebuyer mistakes.

Finding the right realtor – Whether you find your Texas realtor on the internet, through a yard sign, a newspaper ad, or a referral, make sure you openly communicate your concerns and expectations. As a first-time buyer, you have specific needs and may need a little more guidance. Your realtor will guide you through the process, from determining your criteria during the home search to walking you through the paperwork at closing.

What can you afford? – Many first-time homebuyers are apprehensive about the mortgage lending process. Don’t let that prevent you from asking questions. If you fail to ask a question that arises, you may miss out on the best deals you qualify for or a key piece of information. From below-market interest rates to down-payment and closing-cost assistance, there are a variety of affordable-housing programs available to first-time homebuyers. Failing to investigate them or assuming you won’t qualify would be a big mistake.

Think about resale – A common mistake that many first-time homebuyers make is not thinking about the property’s resale value before they buy. It might seem a little odd to consider what the home will sell for before you’ve even decided to buy it, but it’s a big factor. The average first-time homebuyer stays in the home less than 10 years, so it makes sense to analyze the home’s resale value from the beginning. Your Texas realtor can help you identify factors that contribute to a property’s resale value.

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Presidential Visits

The first president to visit was Chester A. Arthur he announced to the papers that Winter Park was “the prettiest place I have seen in Florida” President Grover Cleveland visited the area and was given a large reception at the Seminole Hotel on February 23 of 1888. He enjoyed the Bounding Horse Cart ride and stated that it was the most pleasant diversion of his Florida Trip. The New York Times reported on his visit and stated that, ” The Philadelphian and Bostonian founders had done a fine job with the town”. The following four years both hotel and the town became a fashionable winter resort for Northern visitors. The next President to visit the area was Franklin D. Roosevelt in March 1936. He was awarded an honorary degree in literature at Rollins College.

The Winter Park Sinkhole

In May 1981, during a time of record-low water levels in Florida’s limestone aquifer, a very large sinkhole opened up near the corner of Denning Drive and Fairbanks Avenue. In a single day the hole enlarged to 320 feet (98 m) and to a depth of 90 feet (27 m), demolishing an import car dealership, a public pool, and large portions of Denning Drive. In addition, the sinkhole “ate” an entire two-story home. The deepest part of the limestone cavern must have been directly under the house as not even the peak of its roof could be seen after the sinkhole stabilized. Fortunately, no one was in the house at the time the cavern roof collapsed. City engineers managed to stabilize the sinkhole, which drew national attention and became a popular tourist attraction during the summer of 1981. A carnival-like atmosphere arose around the area, with vendors selling food, balloons, and t-shirts to visitors. Eventually the novelty wore off as the city repaired the damage and turned the sinkhole into man-made Lake Rose.

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