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Why You Should Get Pre-Approved Before House Hunting

by The Hat Team

Spring is approaching and with it, prime time for real estate transactions. Many people will be looking to purchase homes meaning home buying will become a “competitive sport”. This means that you will need to stand out to sellers if you want to “win” the house of your dreams. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search. In fact, regardless of how competitive the market is, getting a mortgage pre-approval will give you the security of knowing what your true budget is, allowing you to know if a desired home is within your reach.

One of the many advantages of working with a local Realtor is that many have relationships with lenders who will be able to help you with this process. Once you have chosen a lender, you will need to fill out their loan application and provide them with vital information regarding your credit, debt, work history, down payment, and residential history.

There are “5 Cs” that aid in determining the amount you will be qualified to borrow:

  1. Capacity: Your current and future ability to make payments.
  2. Capital or cash reserves: The money, savings, and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash.
  3. Collateral: The home or type of home that you want to purchase.
  4. Character: Your history of paying bills and other debts on time.
  5. Conditions: Current interest rates and amount of principal influence the lender’s likelihood of financing the borrower.

Getting pre-approved not only shows sellers you are serious, but also speeds up the process of completing the purchase once your offer has been accepted.


Even before you contact a mortgage lender, it’s a good idea to look at your credit score to see where you stand.

Here are some steps you can take to improve your credit score:

  • Check your report for errors. If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureaus. Having errors removed can improve your score.
  • If possible, pay down balances on credit cards.
  • Resolve collection accounts. If you have any accounts past due, it will have a negative effect on your credit report.
  • Open a secured credit card. If your score is low, this can be an effective way to raise it.

Purchasing a new home is exciting but can also be stressful. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will help alleviate some of that stress. So, if you are in the market to buy a house this spring, contact mortgage lenders now and get the process started!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home  (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: fortunebuilders.com, divorcelendingassociation.com, realtor.com

Be Ready for These Expenses When Buying a House

by The Hat Team


Buying your first home is exciting. After getting approved for a mortgage loan, working with a professional Realtor and finding your dream home, it’s time to settle in and start enjoying your new digs. Then BAM!  The shock of an unexpected expense slaps you in the face. Don’t let that happen to you. Being informed about the possible expenses of being a homeowner will not make spending the money any more fun, but at least you will be prepared. 

Here are some ancillary costs of homeownership that you should be aware of:

  1. CLOSING COSTS

When closing on your mortgage you will be presented with a long list of costs: mortgage taxes, lender application fees, attorney’s fees, title insurance, recording fees and any potential real estate tax reimbursements if the seller has paid them up front. Altogether, closing costs are an average of 2 to 5 percent of the total cost of the home. They will vary from state to state.

  1. HOME MAINTENANCE

Now that you are a homeowner, you are solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of your property. Everything from yardwork to cleaning; pressure washing to clearing the gutters…it’s all in your hands and on your dime. Oh…and fixing things. Yeah. When the AC isn’t working or there is a leaky faucet, you will be footing the bill for repairs. This all sounds a bit overwhelming, but the key is to be prepared. Go into your home purchase knowing that you will likely be spending about 1% of the purchase price of your home on maintenance annually.

  1. PROPERTY TAXES

Property taxes vary by state and can also vary based on city, ordinance, and even specific house. You can utilize a Property Tax Calculator to get an idea of what your taxes will be when planning for your expenses.

  1. UTILITIES

If you’re coming from a rental where your utilities were included with the rent, you may not have considered how much you will need to set aside to pay for electricity, gas, water, and sewage costs. Added to internet, cable and phone bills, it can be quite a chunk of change. Planning for utility costs is crucial to making sure you can afford to live in a home of your own.

  1. HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE

    When you get a mortgage, you must get homeowner’s insurance as well. Be sure to do your homework and shop around for the best possible price. You can get discounts for things like security systems, working from home or bundling coverage for your home with your auto insurance policy. Educate yourself on what your insurance policy covers so that you’re not left disappointed when you must pay for something you thought would be taken care of.

Don’t let these expenses scare you off from purchasing a home. Again, the key is to be aware of them going in so that you won’t be caught unawares when they come up.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: genisyscu.org, hometowninspect.com, energyathaas.wordpress.com, smt.greenwaymortgage.com

5 Essential Things You Need to Know When Purchasing Your First Home

by The Hat Team

Purchasing your first house is a monumental milestone in life.  It’s likely the largest financial commitment you will have made up to this point. You want to get it right. Here is a basic overview of five essential things you need to know when taking this step.

  1. HIRE A REALTOR

Having an agent will save you time. They can send you listings directly from the MLS that fit your wants/needs and you won’t waste time looking at properties that might already be under contract. Realtors are also often aware of new listings that are not yet on the market. And while house hunting, there is no point in wasting your gas when an agent will pick you up and provide transportation. The advice you will receive from a qualified Realtor will be invaluable in the buying process.

  1. DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
     

Searching for the right home can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not even sure what you want. Come up with a list of must-haves and desires that you can present to your Realtor so that they can provide listings that fit those parameters.

  1. GET A LOAN

It is smart to get loan preapproval prior to making an offer on a house…especially if it is a seller’s market where you may be competing with other buyers. Sellers want assurance that you will be able to complete the purchase of the home.

  1. NEGOTIATE THE OFFER

Don’t make the mistake of comparing the sale price to other homes you have seen because the truth is, sellers can ask any amount they want for a house. Your Realtor can provide you with comparable sales of similar houses in the same condition and location over the past few months.

  1. GET A HOME INSPECTION

Some states will allow you to have a home inspection prior to making an offer on a home. In other states, the inspection becomes a contract contingency, meaning the buyer has the right to cancel the contract. Either way, you don’t want to get locked into purchasing a home that has a faulty foundation, for example.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: propertyupdate.com.au, landmarkhw.com, homeownershipmatters.realtor

Your Dream of Homeownership Can Come True in 2023

by The Hat Team

With Christmas right around the corner, you might already be thinking about your new year’s resolutions. And if those resolutions include buying a home, it’s never too early to start considering how you can defeat debt in order to achieve your dream of homeownership!

Realtors see two major challenges time and time again with first time home buyers that effect their ability to purchase a home:

  1. They often carry too much debt.
  2. They don’t have enough cash for a down payment.

These two issues are strongly related in that people need to reduce debts that inhibit them from saving money.

We all know that we shouldn’t spend more than we earn, but falling into the debt trap is easy to do. You see a pair of boots that you must have and you think, I will use my credit card now and pay for them with my next paycheck. It sounds reasonable at the time, but next thing you know you’ve done something like that often enough that there is a beastly credit card balance hanging over your head.

So, now you’re in debt. You have regrets, but no use doing the “should have, would have, could have” dance. Now it’s time to move forward and take the steps needed to reduce your debt.

Here is a list of things to do to change the way you manage your money. Follow these steps and before you know it you will be on your way to saving for a down payment on your first home!

  • STOP ADDING TO YOUR DEBT

The first step to getting out of debt is to stop adding to your outstanding balances. To remove temptation, carry only one credit card with you…and make sure it is the one with the lowest limit so that it is impossible to get into serious trouble with it. Leave any other credit cards in a safe place at home to keep yourself from going on an impulsive shopping spree.

  • TAKE AN INVENTORY OF YOUR SPENDING HABITS

This may not be a fun activity, but it is helpful to see how you are spending. Create a list of where your money goes each month including rent, utilities, car payments, food, credit cards etc. Once you have done this, split the list into two categories: bills you must pay every month and debts you need to pay off. The second list then can be organized in order of urgency, either based on outstanding balance or highest interest rate. Now you will have a clear picture of your debt situation.

  • ELIMINATE THE LARGEST DEBTS FIRST

Make a minimum payment for each of your credit card bills, but then make an extra payment on the bill that is at the top of your list. Do this monthly until that bill is paid in full. Now take the money you were using for that bill and start applying it to the second item on your list. Continue this until all of them are paid off.

  • CUT EXPENSES AND MAKE THE PAYMENT


If you are already in debt, how are you going to find money for an extra payment?
  Well, some sacrifices will have to be made.  Cutting back on extras like trips to Starbucks, entertainment and eating out can free up cash that can go toward that extra payment each month. 

  • PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED

Sometimes life is a struggle and unexpected challenges such as car repairs or medical expenses will pop up from time to time. As you cut expenses and start to save money, set up an emergency savings account just for these occasions. That way you will be prepared and won’t have to use a credit card and add to your debt.

  • SEEK LOWER INTEREST RATES

Give your credit card company a call to see if they will lower your interest rate. If they say no, shop around for a card with a lower rate and transfer your debt (be careful of transfer fees to make sure the transfer benefits you). You can also seek out a consolidation loan from your bank. They will pay off your debt and you can pay them back at a lower interest rate.

  • STICK TO IT!

As you see your debt decrease and see your cash increase, don’t fall back into old spending habits. As you have more money available, put it right into your savings and soon you will have the money you need for a down payment on your first home!


If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: uhloans.com, urmc.rochester.edu, familyhandyman.com

A Simple Guide to Mortgage Loans

by The Hat Team

When purchasing a home, the many different loan options available to you can be a bit overwhelming. With different names, various term lengths and many other factors on the table, it can be confusing trying to figure out which loan is best for you. While your mortgage lender and your Realtor can both answer questions you may have, it’s still smart to do your own research so that you have a basic understanding of mortgage loans.

Let’s focus on the two major options that affect your mortgage: the term of the loan and the type of interest rate attached to it. The term of the loan is the amount of time you have to pay it off.  Two of the most common loan terms are 15-year and 30-year loans. There are pros and cons to both. In addition, there are two types of interest rates to choose from: a fixed-rate or an adjustable-rate. Each type of loan combination has perks that meet your specific needs and will determine your monthly payment and the total interest you will pay.


First we will look at a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage loan.

This is a loan that you pay back over 15 years with the same interest rate throughout the life of the loan. One of the biggest benefits of a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage loan is that you will pay it off in half the time of a 30-year loan. Obvious, right? But what you may not realize is that you will also be paying less toward interest AND you will be building equity more quickly.  Paying your loan off faster means being able to use your hard-earned money for other things like retirement savings, college tuition for children, travel etc. However, while having a shorter term will often garner a lower interest rate, it still likely means higher monthly payments. And that is something you need to think about when deciding what kind of loan to pursue. For example, say your loan amount is $184,000 and you have a fixed interest rate of 7%.  You will pay about $1,650 a month with a 15-year loan verses about $1,220 a month with a 30-year term.  Since your payment will be lower with a 30-year loan, you might be able to qualify for a larger amount if you choose the loan with the longer term.


Shorter term loans usually have lower interest rates
. This is because the lender is taking on less risk when money is borrowed for a shorter amount of time and they are able to get their interest back sooner. Locking into an interest rate with a  fixed-rate loan means you will pay at that interest rate for the entirety of your loan term. Since rates fluctuate daily, this is a good thing. However, there is always a chance that interest rates could drop lower than your rate, in which case an adjustable-rate mortgage might be beneficial. Adjustable-rate loans are risky though, because your rate could also go much higher meaning higher monthly payments and more interest paid throughout the life of the loan. The main reason to think about getting an adjustable-rate mortgage loan is to get a lower monthly payment. Since you are taking on the risk of rates rising, the bank will often reward you with a low rate starting out.


Now, let’s look at a 30-year mortgage loan.
 

This is a home loan that will be paid off completely in 30 years as long as every payment is made as scheduled. Most 30-year mortgages are fixed-rate loans, meaning the interest rate will stay the same throughout the life of the loan. When you take out a 30-year loan, you may qualify for a higher amount than you would with a 15-year term. In addition, you will have lower monthly payments, making a more expensive home affordable for you. You also will enjoy the flexibility of being able to pay the loan off faster by adding to your monthly payment or making extra payments. But you can always go back to your regular payment when you can’t afford to do more. It’s easier to qualify for a 30-year loan and with the lower payments, you might have money left over each month for other things like savings, travel, etc. Just keep in mind that with a 30-year mortgage you will likely be paying a higher interest rate as well as more interest over the years, and you won’t be building equity as fast as you would with a 15-year mortgage.

Choosing what mortgage works best for you is a personal decision based on your needs.  Again, your mortgage lender and Realtor can help you do the math to determine what type of loan is going to give you the best outcome.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: texasunitedmortgage.com, corbymortgage.com, totalmortgage.com, mortgagemoon.com

How to Pay Your Mortgage Off Early

by The Hat Team

You may make a lot of financial investments in your lifetime, but owning a home is likely the largest investment you will ever make. Because it is such a large investment, it takes a long time to pay it off. In fact, it can feel like it takes a lifetime to finally own your home outright. But the truth is, there are ways to shorten the process so that you can pay off your mortgage sooner rather than later.


Here are some options for paying off your mortgage’s entire principal (plus interest) quicker:

  • Biweekly Payments

Most people make mortgage payments monthly. But if it’s within your budget AND your lender allows it, you can make two payments every month. When you make biweekly payments, they still must equal the amount of your required monthly payment. However, remember that every time you make a payment it goes toward the interest you’ve accrued first. By making payments every two weeks, that leaves less time for interest to increase. That means more of your money will go towards your principal balance, thus allowing you to pay off your mortgage faster. Keep in mind that not all lenders will accept biweekly payments, so be sure to check with them first.

  • Unexpected Income

Any substantial and unforeseen monetary gain is a “windfall”. Windfall income is exciting and can be used in a plethora of ways. If the idea of paying on your mortgage for 30 years, you may want to consider using windfall income to pay of your loan faster.

Examples of windfall income are:

  • Credit card cash-back rewards
  • Tax refunds
  • Inheritance
  • Lawsuit settlements
  • Property sales
  • Raises
  • Work bonuses
  • Lottery winnings

Not everyone will have windfall income during their life, but for those who do, it can be a great way to put a dent in your mortgage’s outstanding balance.

  • Refinance to a Shorter Loan Term

If paying off your mortgage faster is a goal for you, refinancing to a shorter loan term is a great way to do it. Refinancing involves paying off your existing mortgage so you can replace it with another in order to save money or pay off your loan sooner. You might be surprised to discover that changing from a 30-year to a 20- or 15-year loan will only raise your monthly payment by a few hundred dollars. So, if your financial status has improved since you first purchased your home, and your budget can withstand a larger payment, you can knock thousands of dollars in interest off the life of your loan. It’s a good idea to shop around for the best rate if you want to refinance, as you don’t have to stay with your current lender.

  • Make Extra Payments Towards Principal

The “principal” of your mortgage is the amount you borrowed and have to pay back. Your monthly payments usually include your principal, interest, insurance and taxes. You can pay off your mortgage more quickly by simply paying extra towards your principal occasionally or even making an extra, large payment towards your principal once a year. You can do this with money you have budgeted for that purpose or if your income has changed in a way that allows for it.

If you are considering options to pay your mortgage off faster, the first step to take is to speak with a mortgage banker. They have the expertise to give you the best advice for practical solutions that will work for you.


If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: cnn.com, clearpoint.org, mtgprofessor.com

Is it Time to Move to a Smaller Home?

by The Hat Team

Do you have more house than you need? Perhaps you’ve recently become an empty-nester and don’t need a home spacious enough for a large family anymore. Or maybe you are just tired of trying to keep up with the cleaning and maintenance that a large property requires. Whatever the reason, maybe it’s time to consider downsizing.

Here are 5 perks of downsizing to a smaller home:

  1. YOU WILL SPEND LESS MONEY

You will not only save on your monthly mortgage payment in a smaller home, you will also save money on frivolous living. One of the advantages of downsizing your home is that you can stop wasting money on furniture and home décor that are used to fill space rather than to fulfill a function. Filling a smaller space will allow you to prioritize what items are important and necessary for you.

  1. THERE WILL BE LESS STRESS


After working hard all week to pay the bills, it’s no fun to have to spend your weekend doing chores. A smaller home equals fewer chores and less upkeep. This will free up time to enjoy leisure activities, hobbies, and relaxation. Imagine weekends spent doing fun outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends or just simply chilling out and reading a good book. Those things sure sound a lot less stressful than doing endless yardwork and household chores.

  1. YOU WILL REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

If you live in a large home, you know that energy costs can be expensive. Smaller homes will not only save you money on heating, cooling, and water costs, it will also allow you to reduce your carbon footprint.

  1. IT WILL FREE UP TIME FOR TRAVEL


With additional disposable income and less upkeep needed, a smaller home will afford you the time and cash for travel and adventure. Weekend getaways or even long trips are less of a hassle now that you don’t have to worry about doing lots of home maintenance and being house-poor.

  1. IT PROVIDES A FRESH START

Downsizing can be the beginning of a new chapter in your life. If being an empty-nester has you feeling down, a lifestyle change might be just what you need to start focusing on how you want to spend your time, money and energy. 

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo Credits: moving.com, nbcnews.com, sixtyandme.com

Crucial Things to Remember When Relocating

by The Hat Team

Let’s face it - relocating is overwhelming no matter how well you prepare. There are what seem like a million little pieces that all must fall into place to make a move go smoothly. And even then, it is stressful. You are upending your life; putting everything you own into boxes and bags and making big changes. So, it’s easy to understand how some tasks fall through the cracks and are forgotten. Here are some crucial things that many people forget to do (or don’t even realize need to be done) when moving:

  1. Cancel recurring charges for local memberships. During the chaos of moving, the last thing you are likely to think about are membership fees for things that may not transfer to your new place of residence, like a gym membership.  And if those fees are automatically charged to your credit or debit card you need to cancel those memberships at least a month before you move so that you don’t continue to get charged even when you’re not there to use them any longer.
     
  2. Call your car insurance company. Per the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is vital to check on your car insurance when moving, as states have varying levels of required coverage. In fact, insurance rates can even vary from neighborhood to neighborhood in the same city. So, make sure you call your insurer before you move to see if you need to update or change your coverage at your new address.
  3. Change your address early. Changing your address is easy using the online form provided by the U.S. Postal Service, but do not wait until the last minute to do it! If you want to be sure that your mail arrives at your new home in a timely manner, complete the form about two weeks before you move. 
     
  4. Take care of your finances. During the whirlwind of moving, it is easy to forget the everyday tasks that are a normal part of your routine…like paying bills. It is also easy to lose track of paper bills among all the boxes you’ve packed. Take the time to set up auto pay for things at your new home like mortgage/rent, phone, utilities etc. This can help assure an on-time payment during a hectic time. Designate a spot for mail both in the home you are packing up and in your new home so that paper bills are not lost in the shuffle.
     
  5. Change your billing address on credit cards. Don’t get caught by surprise when your billing address does not match the address on your credit card because you forgot to change it when you moved. Some transactions now require that you put in your billing zip code when using your card, so if that has changed, then you need to change it on your credit cards as well. The last thing you want is to deal with a transaction being denied and then finding out it was simply because you had not changed the address on your card.

Yes, relocating is stressful. But taking care of these often-overlooked tasks will make it a little bit easier!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals to assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: hrkfamilylaw.com, blog.hireahelper.com, home.com

When you are considering the purchase of a new home, one of the first things to think about is if you will be able to get a mortgage loan. At the start of the home buying process, you will hear terms like “pre-qualification”, “pre-approval”, and “conditional approval”.  If you are not familiar with these terms and their meanings, it can add to the already stressful process of entering the housing market as a buyer.

While all these terms may sound similar, they are not the same. Pre-qualification, pre-approval, and the conditional approval letter share common characteristics, but they occur at different times during your journey to home ownership. Having a clear understanding of what they mean will save some of the confusion, time and energy that goes into finding the right home for your budget and your family.

Let’s take a look at each of these terms:

PRE-QUALIFICATION

Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage loan is the earliest step of the three terms we are looking at. A pre-qualification will give you an estimate of how much you may possibly be able to borrow from a lender. Basically, you will provide information such as your financial history and credit report to your lender. You can do this verbally at this stage as it is not an overly comprehensive process. Your lender will use the information provided and will give you an estimate of the amount you may qualify for. This will allow you to explore the mortgage options available to you.

After your lender has determined the amount you pre-qualify for, you will receive a pre-qualification letter. By sharing this letter with your Realtor, they can use it when making an offer to a seller to give evidence of your commitment to and preparation for buying a home.

Remember, a pre-qualification is not a guarantee for a loan. While it is a great way to determine what types of loans are available to you, it does not mean a loan for the amount of the home you hope to purchase is a sure thing.

PRE-APPROVAL

Getting a pre-approval is a more formal process that requires an in-depth investigation of your finances. This process will take place after you have submitted your mortgage application and documentation will be required.

Your lender will need the following:

  • Employment verification (W-2s or 1099s)
  • Bank statements
  • Retirement and brokerage account statements
  • Any other assets
  • Current real estate debt or rental statements
  • Monthly debt payments (student loans, auto loans)
  • Court orders (divorce, child support, alimony, etc.)
  • Tax returns

It may feel overwhelming to provide so much personal, financial information, but it is necessary to obtain a pre-approval for a mortgage loan. Like pre-qualification, you will get a pre-approval letter if your application is accepted by your lender. This letter provides the sellers with the information they need to know that you can afford the mortgage payment and you are ready to purchase a home.

When competing for a home with other buyers, a pre-approval letter can be a game changer, making you look like a serious buyer over others who may not have a pre-approval letter yet.

CONDITIONAL APPROVAL

Conditional approval is also known as “up-front underwriting”.  If you choose this option, your lender will review your finances thoroughly in order to provide you with an exact loan approval amount for the specific home on which you are submitting an offer.

What makes a conditional approval letter different from a pre-approval is in the name itself; there will be a few conditions that must be met before closing. For example, purchase agreements, title verifications, home appraisal, and inspections must all be complete and in order. The closing process cannot begin until all the conditions listed in the letter have been met.

Pre-qualification, pre-approval, and the conditional approval letter all provide validation to both your lender and the seller that you are a serious buyer that can afford the home.

They each serve the same purpose, but you will encounter them in different circumstances within the home buying process. Understanding the nuances and differences now will make you a better-informed buyer and will make the home buying process less stressful for you!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: PYMNTS.com, Investopedia.com, debt.com, texaslending.com

Purchasing a Home is an Excellent Investment

by The Hat Team

Investing in real estate is a time-tested way to successfully build wealth.  

While there are many ways to invest your savings, investing in real estate is unique in that it offers cash-flow, liquidity, profitability, and tax and diversification benefits those other investments do not.  If you’ve been thinking about how to build wealth for your retirement, you would be smart to consider investing in real estate.


There are four primary ways to make money in real estate:

  1. Appreciation. When a property increases in value, you have real estate appreciation. Sometimes is happens due to changes in the market and other times it may be due to upgrades made on the property.
     
  2. Cash flow income (rent). Cash flow income is a nice perk of real estate investment that you do not have in other types of investments.  It is generated when you purchase a home or apartment building or an office building and rent them out.
     
  3. Real Estate Income.  This is income earned by people who earn commissions through real estate transactions or buy property managers who oversee the operations of rental properties.
     
  4. Ancillary Real Estate Income. This can be a huge source of profit.  Things like application fees, vending machines and laundry facilities are money makers that go beyond the monthly rent. 


While there are certainly risks that come with investing in real estate, there are a lot of benefits that outweigh the risks:

  • Real estate is something that most people grow up being aware of. You may not have been exposed to things like stocks and bonds, but you likely know the importance of owning a home. Buying a home is an investment that is reachable.
     
  • Having an investment that you can see; something that is tangible, is psychologically important.
     
  • You have the control in a real estate investment.  You do not have to worry as much about being defrauded the way you might when entrusting your money to someone else to invest for you.
     
  • You will reap the benefits of tax advantages.
  • You can use money you make on a home sale to buy more real estate and increase your net worth.

Whether you are thinking of purchasing a home for yourself and investing in your own future by building equity or you are considering buying property to rent out, investing in real estate is great way to build wealth!

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me, Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out http://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.

Photo credits: thesavvycouple.com, portugalresident.com, pharmeceuticalonline.com, tmcfinancing.com

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