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 […]
How to Get Mortgage Preapproval From a Lender
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 […]
What is Title Insurance?
How to Check Your Credit Before You Buy a Condo in DTLA
What is a VA Loan?
3 Habits Successful Homebuyers Share
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 […]
7 Mortgage Terms You Need to Know
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 […]
Ready to Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions First
What is Escrow When You Buy or Sell a Loft or Condo in DTLA?
Let’s Talk About Title Insurance
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 […]
3 Things All First-Time Buyers Need to Know
How Can You Calculate Your Own DTI?
What to Look for on a Walk-Through
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 […]
How Long Should You Wait to Make an Offer?
Should You Make an Offer Below Asking Price?
3 Things That Affect Home Prices in DTLA
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 […]
What’s Your Due Diligence in Real Estate?
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 […]
3 Things Buyers Need to Know About Real Estate Appraisals
What is an “As-Is” Home?
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 […]
2019 Mortgage Advice
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 […]
3 “What-If”s You’ll Encounter When You Buy a Condo in DTLA
Can You Get Out of Your Contract if You’re Buying a Condo?
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 Should You Visit a Condo Building Before You Buy?
When Should You Give Up on a Condo?
Will Your Neighbors Drive You Nuts?
How Do You Know if the Condo Building You Want to Live in is a Good Buy?
What is Loan-to-Value Ratio When You Buy a Condo or Loft in Downtown Los Angeles?
Understanding PMI
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 […]
3 Common Mortgage Questions, Answered
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, […]
How Much Are Closing Costs When You Buy a Condo in Downtown Los Angeles?
Mortgage Terms You Need to Know in 2019
What You Need to Know About Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
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 […]
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage As Quickly As You Can?
Common Real Estate Terms
3 Terms You Need to Know Before You Buy a Condo or Loft
Why You Should Buy a Loft or Condo Like You Have Kids
3 Credit Myths That Might Hurt Your Chances of Buying a Loft or Condo
Let’s Talk About Earnest Money
What is Escrow, and How Does It Work?
Let’s Talk About Home Inspections
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. […]
What Does a Home Inspector Look For?
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. […]
What You Need to Know About House-Hunting
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 […]
Need to Buy a Home Before the Holidays?
What Are CC&Rs?
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 […]
Finding Out About a Condo Building’s Rental Policy
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 […]
7 Questions You Need to Ask Before You Make an Offer on a Condo
Why You Need a Realtor Who Specializes in Condos
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 […]
How to Decide if a Condo is Right for You
How is Financing a Condo Different From Financing a House?
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 […]
What Goes Into Closing Costs?
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 […]