Buying a home is one of those big milestones in life that many expect they’ll do someday but aren’t quite sure how to get there. In order to be approved for a mortgage, you’ll need to overcome the first and biggest hurdle: having enough money for a down payment. Saving for things is hard, especially when you’re trying to save up a considerable amount. That being said, these savvy money-saving tips might be just what you need to help you get there, sooner rather than later. 

How Much Money Do You Need For A Down Payment On A Home?

The amount you’ll need for your down payment will greatly vary depending on your lender and financial situation. Typically, down payments range from 5% to 20% of the home’s value, so a home that’s $250,000 and a loan

You have decided you want to stop renting and are ready to buy your first home and now you're wondering, “Where do I start?” This is one of the top questions I hear from potential first-time buyers as well as one I see over and over on real estate websites such as Trulia, REALTOR.com, Zillow, etc.

It's easy to understand why; there's so much information out there it's difficult to separate the valuable from the worthless or simply outdated.

Step One: Get Approved For A Mortgage

My advice is to start by speaking with a local mortgage lender and ask to get pre-qualified. This will at least give you some idea of whether you’re ready to get a mortgage or if there's some work you'll need to do first, to improve your credit or if you've just

Whether you are a new homeowner or have owned your home for years, here are four vitally important things you really need to know about your house. You will be glad you knew about them in an emergency.

1. Water Shut-off Valves

There are several water shut-off valves that you should be familiar with in your home. There is usually a shut-off valve at each sink and toilet. For a problem such as a clogged drain or a faucet that won't stop running, you can shut off the water at that source until the repair can be made.

There is also a water shut-off valve for the whole house. If a pipe breaks and water starts to gush, you need to turn off the house shut-off valve to stop the water flow. Make sure you know where this valve is. If you had a home

Are you considering hiring a professional to assist you with buying or selling your home? This is a big decision, as the sale of real estate involves large amounts of money and there's a lot of things to keep track of. Hiring the wrong Realtor® can be a disaster. Whether buying or selling, it's critical that you ask the right questions when you interview agents. After more than 25 years as a Realtor®, here's my list of the 10 questions I advise my friends and family to ask.

How To Interview A Real Estate Agent

1. Are you a Full-Time Broker? Are you available on short notice to show me homes for sale (or handle potential buyers for my house)? Do you have time to work with me now? Not all agents work full time, many have second jobs or other

The Triangle area real estate market is hot and just keeps getting hotter. We're nearing the end of 2017, and based on this year's market statistics it's still very much a Seller's market in North Carolina. The average days-on-market last month dropped to 33, down from 35 in November of 2016. The average sale price also rose from $268,590 in November of 2016 to $292,811 in November of 2017. So what does that mean if you're looking to buy a home this year or early 2018? It's a competitive market, but with a little bit of research and the help of some seasoned professionals, obtaining the perfect home is much less of a challenge than it may seem.

Here are some tips to help you buy a home in a seller’s market.

1. Always Stay Positive

This is one

Is it Better to Buy or Rent? 

Several years ago, I wrote an article in which I suggested that if you intended to be in the same location for 4 or more years that economically it made more sense to buy a home, rather than rent. The article garnered a fair deal of attention as well as many questions and comments both pro and con.

Since first the original article (2012) was first published; home values in the Research Triangle {Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and surrounding area} have risen roughly 30% and rental rates have also risen by approximately 20%;  however, mortgage rates are actually lower now than then.

Given the changes in the market; it seemed like a good time to revisit the numbers to find out whether the original conclusion that

According to a new report released by the National Association of Realtors, First-time buyers make up 35 percent of all home buyers in 2017. Our team loves helping first-time buyers achieve their dreams of homeownership. In fact, it's one of our specialties! Each client is different but the excitement and joy of closing on the first home is the same for each. We work alongside our clients as they navigate the market and process of buying a home. Without guidance, navigating the complexities of homebuying can often lead to mistakes—but that's where we come in.

Here what you need to know in order to avoid the most common mistakes new home buyers make.

1. Be Fully Prepared for Home Ownership

As you start making preparations to buy a new home,

Over the years, the garage has become more than a place to park your car. It’s the place to store items with nowhere else to go—bikes, tools, toys, even furniture. It’s easy to understand how a garage can become disorganized in a hurry.

To avoid a cluttered garage, here are some storage hacks to help you keep it organized on a budget:

DIY Cleaning Tools Holder

Every household has a number of tools used to help keep it clean—mops, brooms, dustpans, and other supplies. Ironically, these cleaning tools are one of the main culprits contributing to a messy garage. One way to keep these necessities organized is to create a DIY cleaning tool organizer. A quick trip to your local home center will get you all the materials you need, at a fraction of

Congratulations on your acceptance to one of the best schools in the nation! Now it's time to figure out where to live for the next year, if not your entire stint at Duke University, and beyond! Here's  our overview of which Duke University neighborhoods to consider as your new home while you attend school. Everything from affordable abodes, to   the convenience of location, and of course which neighborhoods are closest to all the action in the city of Durham, can be found here. We've even looked into the rental market for your investment purposes!

Old West Durham

To make the most out of your time at Duke University, we recommend living as close to the city of Durham as possible. Old West Durham is also one of the closest Duke Universtiy

Luxurious amenities are a lure for homebuyers in new communities. New construction neighborhoods are developing all over the Triangle region, delivering dozens of new communities throughout the Raleigh-Durham area. You can find everything from lush green spaces to fun mini water parks for adults and kids alike. The journey to homeownership will force you to weigh the long-term value of not only the household, but the community amenities as well. It's important to consider that homes with nearby amenities make living there more enjoyable, which is great while you're living there and also a terrific asset when it's time to sell.

As you start narrowing down your list of “must-haves," here are a few neighborhood amenities you may want to consider.