JJ & Ainsley Gordon, The Gordon Group

Are you thinking about buying a home and just don’t know where to start? Before you even begin looking at homes, consider how much you may need to save to make the process as smooth as possible for you, especially in the long run. While there are situations where you don’t need a large down payment for a home, having one can save you money down the road.  Saving for a down payment is slightly different than other large savings, like retirement. With those savings, you can set aside smaller amounts or invest the money. Because you will need your down payment sooner rather than later, those saving methods won’t be beneficial to you. Here are some steps to take to save up for your dream home! 1. Determine How Much You Need There is a general rule of thumb in real estate, the rule of 28, that says your maximum mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Sitting down with a mortgage lender will help you find out how much of a mortgage you qualify for based

Buying a home is exciting whether it’s your first home or your fifth. But while buying a home can be a real adventure, many owners put their home on the market while trying to find a new house. As a homeowner, you can try to sell while looking for something new, but it can get a little tricky. Read on for tips on how to make this process as smooth as possible. EVALUATE YOUR LOCAL MARKET It would seem like selling your home before putting an offer on a different one would be the best option when it comes to buying/selling, but it can really depend on the local real estate market. If you have the time, research the market in your city or desired area. This will let you know whether it’s a buyer or seller market. The type of real estate market in your locale can really dictate whether or not the process will be quick or drawn out. The general rule of thumb is to sell first in a buyer’s market, and buy first in a seller’s market; but this isn’t always the case since every