Nicole Hoverson Loves Homes - Coldwell Banker Realty

Understanding your budget for buying a home involves several key steps. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Assess your financial situation! What is your total income, expenses, and savings.

2. Determine your debt-to-income ratio. This is the gross monthly income that goes towards paying debts. The typical goal is 36% or lower.

3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This gives you an estimate of how much you can borrow based on your financial profile

4. Calculate your down payment and factor in closing costs. Your down payment can vary depending on the type of mortgage or loan you plan to use and closing costs typically range from 2-5% of the purchase price.

5. Estimate your monthly mortgage payment. A mortgage calculator can help you with this and from there, you can ensure that payment comfortably fits within your budget.

Happy Labor Day
Speaking of Labor Day… I am proud to be a trusted Realtor and yes I work on Labor Day!

🏡 Last week I had a Townhome staged and professional photos the next day and it LOOKS AMAZING!

My seller sent me a text…
“Staging worth every penny!”

TRUST ME…
Who you work with matters
📍Staging
📍Professional photography (not cell phones)
Investing in my clients is better important to me!
📍Excellent marketing and being creative
📍Communication

Nicole Hoverson
Coldwell Banker Realty
763-772-4939

Lionheart Home Staging

The 1 percent rule is a good standard because it's so easy to remember. Just put aside 1 percent of the total purchase price of your home for home maintenance repairs. A $250,000 home would require you to save $2,500 annually, or about $209 per month.
Remember this is a rough estimate that doesn’t consider labor costs or materials, and other factors can contribute to this base price. It is a great starting place to ensure any unexpected expenses can be taken care of without stress.

So you’re getting ready to buy a house. Congratulations! Before you start picking out decor, there’s something you need to consider: Is your budget ready to handle monthly mortgage payments?

If you’re not buying with cash, this is an important question to ask. Knowing what can be included in a monthly mortgage payment and how much home you can actually afford are key steps to finding a home that will fit your long-term goals.

To get a better grip on what you’re paying, why you’re paying it, and for how long, consider this list of what can be included in a typical monthly mortgage payment and ask questions about any items you are unsure about!

Getting your house ready to sell involves a combination of cleaning, repairing, and staging to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. Here’s a checklist to help you prepare your home for the market:

1. Clean and Declutter
2. Make Necessary Repairs
3. Enhance Curb Appeal
4. Stage the Home As Needed
5. Set the Right Price
6. Prepare for Showings
7. Work with Professionals

By following these steps, you can enhance your home’s appeal, attract potential buyers, and potentially achieve a quicker sale at a better price.

Curb appeal is crucial for several reasons, particularly when it comes to selling a home:

1. First Impressions: Curb appeal is the first impression potential buyers have of a property. A well-maintained exterior can create a positive initial impact, making the home more attractive and inviting.

2. Increased Value: Homes with strong curb appeal often have higher perceived value. Buyers are willing to pay more for a property that looks well-cared-for from the outside, as it suggests that the home has been maintained throughout.

Investing time and effort into improving curb appeal can significantly impact the attractiveness and value of your home, making it a worthwhile consideration for both sellers and homeowners looking to enhance their property.

BUYER NEED:
I have buyers looking to purchase a couple acres or so to put a wellness center etc on… looking in
Cottage Grove and surrounding areas! Would love an existing building on the space but willing to build from ground up if need be!

Do you know of anything!!??

Thanks much
Nicole Hoverson
Coldwell Banker Realty
763-772-4939

Thank you to all my clients that were patient with me as I spent last week with my family for my brother and sister in laws wedding!
(You know I will always take care of you!)

Family means so much!

Successfully managing the sale of your current home and the purchase of a new one requires careful planning and coordination. By understanding these aspects and seeking professional help, you can make the process smoother and less stressful. Know that you’re not alone: 71% of buyers are also, simultaneously, sellers. The key to success on both ends of the deal is having a realtor to guide you through. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, the best thing to do is to talk to a pro who can ease your worries. We are here to help you through every step of the journey - let’s talk today!

Skipping a home inspection can be risky for several reasons. Home inspections reveal potential problems that may not be visible during a casual walkthrough. This can include structural issues, electrical or plumbing problems, and issues with the roof or foundation. Identifying issues before purchasing helps you avoid unexpected repair costs. If major problems are found, you might be able to negotiate repairs or a lower purchase price with the seller. Overall, a home inspection is a crucial step in the home-buying process that helps protect your investment and ensures you’re making a well-informed decision.

Preparing your kids for a big move can help ease the transition and minimize stress. Here are some tips to help your children adjust to the change:

• Communicate Early: Let your kids know about the move as early as possible. Use age-appropriate language to explain why you’re moving and what they can expect. This helps them process the information gradually.

• Involve Them in the Process: Give your children a sense of control by involving them in the moving process. Let them help with packing their belongings, choose colors for their new room, or even select new furniture if possible.

By addressing your children's needs and feelings during the move, you can help them transition more smoothly and start enjoying their new home.

Home buyers often place a high value on storage for several reason. Ample storage helps keep a home organized, reducing clutter and making it easier to find and access items. Buyers appreciate the ability to neatly store personal belongings, which enhances the home's overall functionality and appeal. Good storage solutions maximize the use of available space. Features like walk-in closets, built-in shelves, and cabinets make a home feel more spacious and efficient, which is particularly appealing in homes with limited square footage. Overall, ample storage enhances a home's functionality and livability, making it a highly sought-after feature for many buyers.

There are several myths about buying a home that can mislead prospective buyers. Some of the most common are listed here. While the internet is a great source of information, it will always serve in your best interest to check in with real estate professionals when you aren’t sure. Being aware of these myths can help you make more informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls in the home-buying process.

The time it takes for a home buyer to find a house can vary widely depending on several factors. These can include market conditions, location, price range, and certain personal circumstances. On average, in a balanced market, buyers might find a home within a few weeks to a few months. In highly competitive markets, it might take longer as buyers need to act quickly and may face multiple offers on desirable properties. It’s also not uncommon for buyers to take several months or even over a year to find the right home, especially if they have very specific requirements or are waiting for market conditions to shift.

An expired listing isn’t entirely unusual, and some properties may go through more than one listing period before selling. If you’re a seller, an expired listing can be an opportunity to reassess and refine your approach to getting your home sold. If the property is re-listed, there will be a review of feedback from the previous listing period and suggested changes to improve the property’s appeal or pricing. An expired listing often prompts a reassessment of the property’s value and strategy. The seller might need to consider market conditions, buyer feedback, and potential improvements.

Lenders use your credit score to assess your creditworthiness. A higher credit score indicates to lenders that you are more likely to repay your loan on time. This can improve your chances of getting approved for a mortgage. Generally, borrowers with higher credit scores qualify for lower interest rates, which can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. By understanding the role of your credit score and taking steps to maintain or improve it, you can enhance your ability to qualify for a mortgage with favorable terms when you're ready to buy a home.

Getting final loan approval means you need to keep your finances and credit in line during the underwriting phase. Don’t open new credit lines or make any major purchases until the paperwork is signed, and avoid changing jobs before closing too, if possible.

Viewing listing photos online is helpful, but isn’t a substitute for visiting homes in person and getting to know the area and its amenities. In some cases, the right neighborhood might be even more important than the home itself. Be specific with your agent about exactly what kinds of homes you want to see, so they can more effectively find options that meet your criteria. And keep an open mind: You may not be able to check off everything on your wish list, so prioritize must-haves over things that are nice to have but not crucial.

The down payment is often considered the biggest home-buying expense, since it’s a large amount that the buyer has to actually pay upfront. But homeownership involves plenty of additional costs that you should be ready for. Before you even close on the purchase, you’ll need to make sure you have enough money set aside to cover closing costs. These fees will vary by state and by individual transaction, but they will almost certainly range into the thousands of dollars.

Shopping for a mortgage means finding financing for your home purchase with a lender that may offer the best rate, loan options or customer experience. Often, affordability is a major factor in finding the right lender. Your interest rate, fees, closing costs and down payment influence how expensive your mortgage will be and can be influenced, in part, by the lender you choose.

Come one...Come all!

Today 7/12 4:30-6:30
https://homecomingphoto.com/b/6ae
There is an open house this evening on my newest listing in Cottage Grove, MN
7310 Inman Ave S

This 3 bedroom/2bathroom/4 level split is ready for you to call it home and take a dive on in!

Listed by me
Nicole 'Skjod' Hoverson
Nicole Hoverson Loves Homes - Coldwell Banker Realty
763-772-4939

To calculate how much house you can afford, lenders take into account a few primary items, such as your household income, monthly debts (for example, car loan and student loan payments) and the amount of savings available for a down payment. As a home buyer, you’ll want to have a certain level of comfort in understanding your monthly mortgage payments. Depending on your credit score, you may be qualified for a payment that is greater, but housing expenses exceeding 1/3 of your monthly income should be avoided as a rule of thumb.

Choosing the right agent for you is one of the most important steps of the home buying and selling process. When trying to decide who might be the best choice, you should consider their market experience, previous client experiences, and compatibility with you and your needs. We would love to check those boxes for you - let’s talk today!

We want to hear from you - what perks of homeownership are you looking forward to the most? Whether you are tired of paying off someone else’s mortgage, you’re ready to have more design freedom, or you are ready to start building home equity and personal wealth - there are endless reasons to look forward to owning a home.

More than half of home buyers say finding the right home is the most challenging step of the home-buying process. But don’t let that get you down. If you stay focused, you’ll find the home of your dreams! It’s okay to ask questions, take your time, and not settle too early in your search. We are here to help!

You may be eligible for widely-available first-time homebuyer programs, such as FHA, VA and USDA loans, that can make it more manageable to buy a home even if you don’t have a 20 percent down payment. Government-backed programs like these can also be easier to qualify for than other mortgages, and many mortgage lenders offer them. Some first-time buyer programs might include grants, down payment or closing cost assistance, deferred payments, subsidized interest rates or loan forgiveness after a certain period of time, as well, which can further save you money.

🆘 JUST LISTED
6503 Hadley Ct S
Cottage Grove, MN
55016
Welcome to this charming two-story home nestled on over half an acre lot (.68) in the highly sought-after community of Cottage Grove.
Boasting a spacious layout, this residence features
FOUR BEDROOMS conveniently located on ONE LEVEL, offering both comfort and functionality.

The kitchen is perfect for culinary enthusiasts, while the separate dining room offers versatility, doubling as a flex space to suit your needs.

Downstairs, discover a fifth bedroom and a generously sized area designed for entertaining, providing ample space for gatherings and relaxation.

Step outside to enjoy the front porch, ideal for morning coffee or evening chats, and retreat to the backyard oasis featuring a custom-built patio and fireplace, perfect for hosting barbecues or simply unwinding amidst the tranquil surroundings of mature trees.

Situated on a cul-de-sac, this home offers a serene ambiance while still being conveniently located near shopping, restaurants, and easy access to the highway.

Welcome Home!
https://homecomingphoto.com/b/65n

Nicole Hoverson
Coldwell Banker Realty
763-772-4939

To make the most of your time and increase your chances of finding your dream home at an open house, approach it with a game plan:
1. Research the property ahead of time�
2. Sort out your finances - if you can get pre-approved, that is a great start!
3. Be prepared to make an offer if you love the house�
4. Keep expectations realistic