Downtown Los Angeles Lofts
When you’re buying a condo for sale in Los Angeles, you’ll most likely have to be part of a homeowners’ association. (Learn about HOAs here.) Before you buy in a particular building, though, you need to: Become familiar with the HOA’s rules Decide whether you can live with the HOA’s rules Determine how much the […]
If you’re buying a condo or loft for sale in Little Tokyo, you’ll probably need a mortgage loan – most people do. The first step in your home search should be getting preapproval for that loan. Here’s how. How to Get Mortgage Preapproval From a Lender After you’ve shopped around for the best rates and […]
If you’re buying a condo in DTLA, you’ll most likely have to buy title insurance – but what is it, and why do you need it? What is Title Insurance? Title insurance is something that buyers have to purchase, and it all starts with a title search. During a title search, a title company looks […]
If you’re buying a DTLA condo for sale, it’s a good idea to check your credit before you start applying for mortgages. That’s because the higher your credit score is, the better interest rates you’ll qualify for – so it pays to see exactly where you stand. But where do you start? How to Check […]
If you’re like many people, you’ve heard of VA loans – but what are they, and who can use them? What is a VA Loan? A VA loan is a loan that’s guaranteed by the U.S. Veterans Affairs – it doesn’t actually come from the VA. Having the VA’s guarantee on these loans allows lenders […]
If you’re buying a loft for sale in DTLA, here’s are three habits you should try to get into. 3 Habits Sucessful Homebuyers Share Check out these three habits that successful homebuyers share: Skip the indulgences in favor of saving a down payment Make regular deposits into savings just for your home Stay on top […]
When you’re buying a loft or condo in Downtown Los Angeles and using a mortgage (like most people do), you’re going to hear all kinds of industry terms. Here’s how to make sense of it all. 7 Mortgage Terms You Need to Know Check out these common terms: Amortization Appraisal Closing costs Earnest money Points […]
If you’re pretty sure you’re ready to buy a loft or condo in DTLA, here’s what you need to ask yourself first. Ready to Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions First Is there enough money in my bank account? How much debt do I have? How long do I plan to stay in my […]
When you buy or sell a condo or loft in DTLA, you’ll have to deal with escrow – but what is it, and how does it protect you? What is Escrow When You Buy or Sell a Loft or Condo in DTLA? In a real estate transaction, the term “escrow” refers to a secure area […]
When you buy a condo or loft for sale in Downtown Los Angeles, you’ll need title insurance – particularly if you’re working with a mortgage lender. (Mortgage lenders require you to buy a title insurance policy for them.) Title Insurance Basics What is title insurance, how much does it cost, and why do you need […]
When you’re searching for a condo or loft for sale in DTLA – especially if it’s your first time buying a home or if it’s been a while since the last time you purchased a home – these are three things you absolutely must know. 3 Things All First-Time Buyers Need to Know Your DTLA […]
If you’re like many people buying a condo or loft for sale in Downtown Los Angeles, you know that a lender will look at your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. But there’s a way to figure out your own DTI so you know exactly what your lender will be looking at. How Can You Calculate Your […]
When you’re buying a condo or loft for sale in DTLA, you’ll walk through several with your agent. Here’s what to look for on a walk-through: Leaks Bulges in flooring Water stains Wood quality What to Look for on a Walk-Through You’ll eventually hire a home inspector when you find a condo or loft you […]
When you’re buying a loft for sale in DTLA, you’re going to see something you love – and you’re going to want to make an offer. So how long should you wait, and what’s the secret behind the timing? Here’s what you need to know. How Long Should You Wait to Make an Offer? When […]
When you’re buying a condo for sale in Downtown Los Angeles, your real estate agent will most likely talk to you about making an offer on your dream home. So should you make an offer that’s below asking price? In some cases, it’s the right thing to do. Here’s what you need to know. Should […]
When you’re buying a condo for sale in Downtown Los Angeles, you might be surprised at the prices you see. So what really affects home prices in DTLA? 3 Things That Affect Home Prices in DTLA Three big factors that affect home prices are: What’s happening in the housing market The condo’s location Other condos […]
A common real estate term you’ll hear when you’re buying or selling a condo in DTLA is “due diligence.” But what is due diligence, and what does it include? What’s Your Due Diligence in Real Estate? Due diligence just means doing your homework. In real estate, it means that you and your Realtor have explored […]
When you make an offer on your DTLA condo or loft, your lender will most likely require an appraisal. As a buyer, these are the three things you need to know: You don’t get to choose the appraiser. You do have to pay for the appraisal. Your lender has to give you a copy of […]
When you’re searching for DTLA lofts and condos for sale, you’ll find some listed “as-is.” But what is an “as-is” home, and how would it impact your decision to buy? What is an “As-Is” Home? Real estate agents list homes “as-is” when the seller doesn’t want to make any repairs or upgrades in order to […]
If you’re like most buyers, it’s been a while since you last dove into the housing market. Maybe you’re looking for your first condo for sale in DTLA, or maybe you’re buying your second, third or subsequent place – but no matter what you’re doing, it’s safe to say that the mortgage market has changed […]
Most people get a case of the pre-buying jitters when a seller accepts their offer – and that’s totally normal. Here’s a quick list of the “what-if”s that might be plaguing you – and how to deal. 3 “What-If”s You’ll Encounter When You Buy a Condo in DTLA It’s totally normal to get excited about […]
Sometimes you’re excited to buy a condo and something happens… and suddenly, you know that buying it isn’t the right choice for you. But is there a way to get out of a real estate purchase contract if you’re buying a condo and already halfway through the process? Can You Get Out of Your Contract […]
When you’re buying a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, it’s essential that you visit the building at various times of day. That’s not so you can keep seeing the unit you want to buy – it’s so that you can see what happens around the area and in the building when you’re likely […]
It’s happened to all of us – we find a great condo that we love, but something big comes up and shakes our confidence in it. But when should you give up on a condo, and when should you stick it out because you love it? When Should You Give Up on a Condo? There […]
Before you buy a condo or loft for sale in DTLA, you have to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood – you don’t want to be on the hook for a home that just isn’t compatible with your lifestyle. And one thing you need to look at is whether your neighbors are likely to drive you […]
If you’re like a lot of people buying a condo or loft for sale in DTLA, you want to make sure you’re making a good investment – but what are the signs you should head for the hills? Check out this guide to make an informed decision. How Do You Know if the Condo Building […]
When you buy a condo or loft for sale in DTLA, you’re probably going to need a mortgage loan to do it – and that’s perfectly normal. However, it does mean that you’ll have a lender looking at loan-to-value ratio, and that LTV plays a role in what kind of rate you’ll get on your […]
When you buy a loft or condo for sale in DTLA with less than 20% down, you’re most likely going to have to buy private mortgage insurance. But what is private mortgage insurance, and when can you stop paying it? Understanding PMI: What is Private Mortgage Insurance? Private mortgage insurance is money you pay out […]
When you’re buying a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, you’ll most likely have to get a mortgage loan – most of us do! But that means you’ll probably have plenty of questions for your lender. Check out these three common mortgage questions so you know what you’re getting into. 3 Common Mortgage Questions, […]
The term closing costs refers to the amount of money you have to pay before you can sign the dotted line that makes a condo or loft yours. If you’re buying a condo in DTLA, you’ll end up paying some closing costs – unless, of course, the seller agrees to pay them for you. It’s […]
When you’re buying a condo or loft for sale in DTLA, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll need a mortgage loan to do it. Most of us do! But the mortgage world is filled with alien terms. Here’s a quick list of mortgage terms you need to know this year if you intend to […]
You’ve heard about adjustable-rate mortgages, but if you’re like many people, you don’t know a whole lot about them. Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, can be a good choice for some people. Are you one of them? What You Need to Know About Adjustable-Rate Mortgages An ARM, which is also called a variable-rate mortgage, is a […]
If you’re buying a condo for sale in DTLA and getting a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, it feels like it makes sense to pay it off as quickly as possible. But is that the right choice? Not always. Here’s what you need to know. Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage As Quickly As You Can? If […]
If you’re buying a condo or loft for sale in DTLA, here’s a list of common real estate terms you need to know first. Common Real Estate Terms Active Listing An active listing is a home that’s for sale because it doesn’t have an accepted offer. Bidding War A bidding war occurs when two or […]
When you’re buying a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, you need to know a few real estate terms. Here they are. 3 Terms You Need to Know Before You Buy a Condo or Loft Active listing Contingencies Disclosures Active Listing An active listing is one that’s actually for sale. You can make an […]
When you’re looking for a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, pretend you have kids – even if you don’t. Here’s why. Why You Should Buy a Loft or Condo Like You Have Kids Even if you don’t have children, you have to think long-term. But we’re not talking about your long-term. We’re talking […]
If you’re like most people who want to buy a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, you know that you’ll need a mortgage loan to do so. But these three persistent credit myths could be hurting your chances of qualifying for the best terms and rates. 3 Credit Myths That Might Hurt Your Chances […]
If you’re buying a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, you probably already know you need an earnest money deposit – but what is earnest money, and where does it go once you buy the home? Let’s Talk About Earnest Money This guide covers: What is Earnest Money? How Much is an Earnest Money […]
If you’re buying a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, some of your money – including your earnest money deposit – will be held in escrow. But what is escrow, and how does it work? What is Escrow, and How Does It Work? Escrow is a secure place to store an earnest money check, […]
When you’re buying a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, you’ll have a home inspection. The inspection is one of the most important parts of your transaction. Here’s why. What is a Home Inspection? A home inspection, performed by a legitimate home inspector, is an essential part of buying a new place to live. […]
When you buy a condo for sale in DTLA, you’ll hire a home inspector to check things out before you sign the dotted line. But what does a home inspector look for? You might be surprised. What Does a Home Inspector Look For? Home inspectors look at about 1,600 items around your future living space. […]
If you’re buying a loft or condo for sale in DTLA, here’s what you need to know about house-hunting before you start looking. 3 Things You Need to Know About House-Hunting Online photos can be deceiving Buying a home takes time and patience You might have to make some trade-offs Online Photos Can Be Deceiving […]
If you’re looking for a home before the holidays, there’s still time – and you might even still have time to unpack before you welcome carolers to your front door. Sure, the process of buying a loft or condo in DTLA can take a long time… but with these tips, you can purchase a home […]
If you’re buying a condo for sale in DTLA, you’ll have to be part of a condo owners’ association – and condo owners’ associations have rules, called CC&Rs, that you have to follow. What Are CC&Rs? CC&Rs, short for covenants, conditions, and restrictions, are rules that you have to abide by when you live in […]
If you’re buying a condo for sale in DTLA, one of the first things you should ask is what the building’s rental policy is. Here’s why. Finding Out About a Condo Building’s Rental Policy Most people prefer to buy a condo that’s predominantly owner-occupied. That means most of the units are occupied by their actual […]
When you’re buying a condo for sale in DTLA, there are 7 questions you need to ask before you make an offer. 7 Questions You Need to Ask Before You Make an Offer on a Condo This isn’t a complete list, and your Realtor® can help you decide whether a particular condo is right for […]
When you’re thinking about buying a condo for sale in DTLA, it pays to work with a Realtor® who specializes in them. Here’s why. Why You Need a Realtor Who Specializes in Condos Buying a condo is a lot different than buying any other type of property. It’s vastly different from a single-family home, a […]
If you’re thinking about buying a condo for sale in DTLA, you have to ask yourself if it’s the right choice for you – and here’s what you need to consider. How to Decide if a Condo is Right for You Before you make such a big purchase, you have to decide whether a condo […]
If you’re buying a condo for sale in DTLA, you need to know that financing one is a lot different from financing a single-family home. Even if this isn’t the first condo you’ve purchased, here’s a quick refresher that can help you understand how financing a condo is different from financing a single-family house. How […]
Buying a condo or loft for sale in DTLA, for most people, means taking out a loan and sitting down at the closing table… and paying closing costs. But what goes into closing costs, and how much will they run you on closing day? What Goes Into Closing Costs? Your closing costs include several fees […]
