Pleasant Hill

Pop quiz. What credit score do you need to buy a home? If your answer was B) 660 or C) 700 … you’re not alone. A lot of people believe you need "perfect" or “near perfect” credit. But you probably don’t need as high a credit score as you think. Even though a Veterans United survey shows 57% of would-be buyers think you need at least a 660, the long-standing benchmark for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans is 620, and even that isn’t a hard rule for every loan. So the real answer? Both A) 620 and D) “it depends” are right. And with all the changes to credit models lately, even more people will be able to buy than before. Don’t let myths keep you locked into a lease. Let’s find out where you actually stand. #CreditScore #HomeBuyingTips #listwithlydia #troyohio #tippcityrealty #tippcity

Here's something most buyers overlook… When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always have the same priorities. A homeowner may be willing to wait for a better offer. But builders with completed homes sitting unsold often have more reason to keep sales moving. In October, over 60% of builders offered some type of incentive. And almost half (43%) cut prices. That could mean more negotiating opportunities for you. The trick is knowing where to look. Let's find the builders with more move-in-ready homes available right now and see what they're willing to offer to get their inventory sold. #NewHomes #HomeAffordability #listwithlydia #troyohio #tippcityrealty #tippcity

#HomeBuyingTips #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #KeepingCurrentMatters #listwithlydia #troyohio #tippcity #tippcityrealty #letsdothistogether

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are making a comeback, and it's easy to see why. In October, starting rates for ARMs were running almost a full percentage point below fixed-rate loans. On a median-priced home, that can mean your payment could be roughly $150-300 less per month. For buyers struggling with affordability, that’s worth considering. Just know that they do come with some trade-offs – the biggest of which is that your rate (and your payment) could rise after a set timeframe. And just in case you’re thinking…aren't ARMs risky? You should know today's ARMs aren't like the ones from 2008. But they do work differently than a fixed-rate mortgage, so it pays to understand them first. A trusted lender can help you explore how these loans work, how they can help, and walk you through the what-ifs. #AdjustableRateMortgages #listwithlydia #troyohio #tippcityrealty #tippcity

In case you haven’t heard, 27% of homes sold in September were bought with cash, according to NAR. That’s more than 1 in 4. When you hear a number like that, it’s easy to wonder how that’s even possible nowadays – especially with so many people struggling with affordability. You might picture wealthy investors with deep pockets…but not all cash buyers are who you'd think. Some are just regular homeowners who’ve built up enough equity over the years to sell their house and buy their next one in cash. So sure, affordability is tight. But that doesn't mean buying a home today is only possible for the wealthy or big investors. If you own a home and you’ve lived there for a while, you may be in a better position to move than you think. Want to know how much equity you have? Let’s find out what it could do for your next move. #HomeBuyingTips #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #listwithlydia #troyohio #tippcityrealty #tippcity

#AdjustableRateMortgages #HomeAffordability #KeepingCurrentMatters #listwithlydia #troyohio #tippcity #tippcityrealty #letsdothistogether

#NewHomes #HomeAffordability #KeepingCurrentMatters #listwithlydia #troyohio #tippcity #tippcityrealty #letsdothistogether

🎉 UNDER CONTRACT! 🎉 So excited to congratulate my buyers on finally finding their home! We’ve been looking for quite some time. A few months ago, they made the decision to sell their current home, knowing they could move in with family for a while and give themselves the freedom to wait for the right house. Their home went under contract in less than a week—and for more than they had hoped! 🙌 And now…the time has finally come. We were able to grab this beautiful home in one of the best neighborhoods in Tipp City, and I couldn’t be happier for them. ❤️ There’s more to this story, so stay tuned once we get to the closing table! But if you’re wondering whether homes are still selling or whether buyers are still out there looking, the answer is absolutely YES. The market may look different than it did a few years ago, but people are still moving, homes are still selling, and the right house is still worth waiting for. 🏡 #lydiarowerealtor #listwithlydia #NavXRealty #tippcity #tippcityohio #undercontract🏡