As a first-time home buyer property taxes can make you feel like a fish out of water. After all, there is no such thing when renting. So, this week I will go over the state of Illinois' policy and what prorating taxes means.
Homeowner’s are well aware of property taxes. However, they may seem like a hidden expense for many because they are frequently paid by escrow, and included in your monthly mortgage payment. Once your mortgage is paid off, you are left to understand, and make sure you make your property tax payments promptly. The state of Illinois’ unusual policy of charging taxes in arrears causes even more confusion for those looking to sell or buy a home. Paying in arrears means that each year the tax bill for the previous year comes out in
1. Check window and doors. Check for leaks or air coming through the window sills to save on winter energy bills
2. Clean your heating and air conditioning. Have your units cleaned twice a year: spring & fall to keep your family healthy, and extend the life of your units.
3. Check your fireplace. Give your fireplace a test run in the fall before it gets too cold to make sure it will be functioning in the winter.
4. Check the roof. Check your roof to see if there are any missing shingles or holes.
5. Protect your hose. Empty your hose completely and disconnect it from the spigot to prevent the hose from freezing and cracking.
Written by Jack O. Pysz, Managing Broker/Founder, REDCO, INC. 11/22/2016
There are numerous guides to a real estate deal all over internet. If you are a first time homebuyer you will find here a step by step process written by me, Jack Pysz, a licensed managing broker. I have years of experience in all kinds of transactions. I close and oversee many deals every week and therefore I thought it would be useful if you could get an actual and real process, the way it happens and what may go wrong - written by someone who is part of the industry. Besides of being an owner and founder one of the fastest growing real estate companies I also serve on a Panel Of Professional Standards Committee for the largest association of realtors in Illinois.
Because photos are so important in the process of marketing and eventually selling a home REDCO is exclusively working with VHT STUDIOS, leader in real estate photography. All of our clients can count on the best quality photos taken by professional photographers trained and experienced in taking photos of homes!
Jack O. Pysz, Managing Broker/Founder
Credit for this article goes to VHT STUDIOS
Making sure a home is fully prepped for a photo shoot is no easy task, and we understand as a real estate agent you don’t have time to be running around, cleaning, rearranging furniture, and so on. Work with the homeowner to make sure they understand what needs to be done so the home is ready to be photographed. These ten essential tips will help
Your house should be kept ready to show all the time. You never know when a buyer is going to be interested, or your agent is going to call you for a showing. The more you're available and the faster an agent can show the house, the more likely you'll be to make a sale. Make sure the sink and dishwasher are clean and free of dishes, the bathrooms are spotless, and there aren't any dust bunnies hiding in the corners of the room. While it can seem inconvenient, you'll get your house sold faster and that is what matters.
Ditch the Kitsch and Hide Your Opinions
Your kitschy little decorations and political posters are fine when you're living in your home, but when you're trying to sell it you should really
A few things you should know about the appraisal process.
Once you are under contract, the buyer’s lender will send out an appraiser to make sure the purchase price is in line with the property’s value.
Appraisals help guide mortgage terms.
The appraised value of a home is an important factor in the loan underwriting process. Although lenders may use the sale price to determine the amount of the mortgage they will offer, they generally only do so when the property is sold for less than the appraisal amount. Also, the loan-to-value ratio is based on the appraised value and helps lenders figure out how much money may be borrowed to purchase the property and under what terms. If the LTV is high, the lender is more likely to require the borrower to
Buying real estate, whether it be a new home, vacant land or commercial property, is often the biggest purchase most of us will ever make. Real estate buyers should beware of these common mistakes in order to ensure that the process resolves smoothly and in their favor.
Many buyers mistakenly begin browsing through online listings, determining how many bathrooms they want and figuring out how much square footage they will need before they check their credit report and score. When the decision to buy property is made, purchasers should get a copy of their credit report and go over it in depth in order to ensure that there are no inaccuracies. This should be done a few months
What is your favorite style? Just let us know in the comments. We have a $5 Starbucks gift card for a winner who we will announce on Monday, November 14th at 9am.