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Showing posts with the label Buying a Home at the Lake of the Ozarks

Surprising Factors that Affect Your Credit Score

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As a potential new home buyer at the Lake of the Ozarks , hopefully you have already begun some of the financial preparation for what could be one of the biggest purchases of your life. Our experts at Devine & Associates are here to help you find the Mid Missouri home of your dreams. First, make sure your finances are in order by reading about the top things that may affect your credit score.   Maybe you feel you have done your home-buying research. You have saved for a down payment, and you have been working to build your credit. That’s a good start, but you may be asking: what’s next? Building your credit is an on-going process. Just because your credit score is in a good range right now, make sure you continue to monitor it throughout your home-buying search. Below we will discuss some surprising factors that could affect your credit score that you may not have even thought of.   Paying Your Rent Late Rent payments that you make usually ar...

5 Perks of Homeownership

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Homeownership is something many people dream of. While renting can be convenient for some, owning your own home has a lot of advantages to consider. In today’s blog, your Lake of the Ozarks real estate team discusses some of the perks of homeownership . 1. Return on Investment. When you rent your home, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. When it’s all said and done, and your lease is up, you have nothing to show for it. While renters don’t have to worry about paying for upkeep and maintenance issues, they aren’t getting a return on investment. Owning your own home does come with some added expenses, but your return on investment is much greater. Unlike other purchases that decrease in value, like your car, home appreciate over time. While each market has it’s ups and downs, you’re paying down your mortgage debt while the home value rises. This creates buying and reinvestment power known as equity. 2. Tax Benefits. The government encourages homeownership, which encourages e...

Buying vs. Renting a Home

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There is a constant debate on whether renting or buying a home is the smarter choice. The truth of the matter is that it depends on your unique situation. Are you ready to be a homeowner? Keep reading to learn about things to consider when debating between continuing to rent or buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks . Buying a Home When thinking about purchasing a home at the Lake of the Ozarks , you’ll first want to consider your financial situation. Buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions you will ever make. While the monthly payment of your mortgage could easily be less than what you’re paying for rent, you need to include the added expenses of homeownership into your figures. When you own your own home, you are now in charge of home maintenance and repairs, and property insurance. Home maintenance costs are often underestimated by prospective home buyers. The advantage here, is that you are in control of who does the repairs and you don’t have to wait on ac...

All About The Closing Process

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Now that you've found your dream home and your offer has been accepted, you're so close to owning it! This is an exciting time for all, whether it's your first home or you've had much experience in real estate. Your trusted real estate agents near Eldon, MO are here to help walk you through the process. Whether you need a refresher course or this is your first time buying a home at the Lake of the Ozarks , information about what you can expect can be found below. Final Walk Through A final walk through is usually done the day before or day of closing. This is the buyers chance to ensure everything in the home is how it has been agreed upon and there are no issues that have come up. If you have requested some of the items be repaired from the home inspection, this is your chance to ensure they have been completed as promised. Bring Paperwork A ton of paperwork is required for the entire home buying process. Keep these documents handy and bring them the day of...

Common First-Time Homebuyers' FAQs

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When you are ready to buy your first home at the Lake of the Ozarks you may have some questions about the entire process. Taking on a mortgage and caring for a home is a new responsibility. By working with a  REALTOR® at the Lake of the Ozarks who is willing to answer any questions you have along the way, you can be prepared and make informed decisions. It is exciting to buy your first home, and Devine & Associates can answer a number of questions about your first home purchase. Below we have answered some common questions to prepare you for homeownership: Why Should I Buy Instead of Rent? Unlike renting, owning a home is an investment. The check you write each month for rent goes to your landlord, whereas the interest from your mortgage payments can be deducted from your federal income taxes. You can also deduct your property taxes you pay as a homeowner. In addition, the value of your home may go up over the years. Eventually, you will have something that is all ...

7 Things To Do Before You Make An Offer on a Home

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You have looked at several homes with your real estate agent at the Lake of the Ozarks and are finally ready to pull the trigger. But, before you make an offer and make the home yours, there are several things to consider. Let  Devine & Associates  assist you through the home buying process to avoid problems with your purchase, so you don't get buyer's remorse. Below are 7 things to do before signing a purchase contract: 1. Research the Market Your Lake of the Ozarks Realtor ®, can let you know what type of real estate market your area is currently experiencing. A "buyer's market" consists of a large inventory of homes for sale. In a "seller's market", homes sell rapidly and buyer's have less pull. The more information you have, the better off you will be with coming up with an appropriate offer, and the more leverage you will have at the bargaining table. 2. Look at Comparable Listings By researching the Multiple Listing S...

6 Tips to Get Your Home in Shape This Spring

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Spring is a great time to re-charge our batteries. Why not do the same for your home at the Lake of the Ozarks ? Make a checklist of things to do to maintain a happy and healthy home. Then you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor this spring. Here are 6 tips for homeowner's at the Lake of the Ozarks to get your home in shape this season: Deep Clean Rugs and Carpets Like the rest of your floors, carpets and rugs get a significant amount of wear and tear in the winter. Muddy boots from melted snow can leave them dingy and unattractive. Deep clean your rugs and carpets with a steam cleaner. If you don't want to call in a professional or don't have your own steam cleaner, there are many grocery stores and home improvement stores that rent them. Reverse Your Ceiling Fan Direction Once you are no longer using the heat in your home, flip the switch on your ceiling fan to rotate counter-clockwise. The air should push downward, creating a cool breeze. The airflo...