Rex Ostrander's Blog

Posted on 07/12/2020

Post Photo by Mohamed Hassan via PixabayIt's easy to believe you don't have much leverage if you're getting ready to buy in a seller's market. Unfortunately, that sense of frustration can result in desperation, which can ultimately lead to overpaying on a home. Before you accept your fate, consider how you may have more power than you think. Start...

Seller

Sellers Market

Posted on 07/07/2020

Adding Efficiency to an Older Home

Photo by Vivint Solar from Pexels When your pocketbook determines you can’t afford a new, energy-efficient home, you can still satisfy your preferences by upgrading an older house. Try these options for improving energy efficiency in your home. Apply for the FHA’s Energy-Efficient Mortgage program. With an EEM, you can finance an already energy-efficient home or use funds...

Homeownership

Energy Efficiency

+ 1 more

Posted on 06/28/2020

Navigate the Homebuying Journey Like a Pro

The homebuying journey may seem long, complicated and time-consuming at first. Fortunately, there are lots of things a property buyer can do to streamline the process of finding his or her dream residence. Now, let's take a look at three tips to help a homebuyer navigate the property buying journey like a pro. 1. Narrow Your Home Search If...

Buying A Home

Buyer Tips

Posted on 06/21/2020

Documents You Need When Buying a Home

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels While the home buying process is exciting, applying for a mortgage can be time-consuming. Paperwork is a big part of the mortgage process and the better prepared you are, the more likely it is to go well. In fact, if you are considering getting preapproved for a mortgage, lining the paperwork up...

Documents

Financing

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Posted on 06/14/2020

Inheriting Property: What Are Your Options?

Image by Annalise Batista from Pixabay One of the basic things that people prepare for in their end of life planning is their property. A family home, for example, is often passed down to the couple's children or next of kin. Often, though, the people who inherit the property don't think about what they'll do with the home...

Property

Homeownership

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Posted on 06/07/2020

How to Care for Wooden Decks and Porches

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay If you plan to add a deck to your home, begin by selecting quality pressure-treated or composite building material. If you build with pressure-treated wood, let the porch or deck set raw — without paint or stain — for at least six months to a year. The longer you let it set, the...

Proper Deck Maintenance

Maintenance

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Posted on 05/31/2020

How to Sell your Home to a Family Member or Friend

Photo by fauxels from Pexels It sounds like it should make things easier -- selling your home to a friend or family member should be a breeze for both parties -- but in reality, a home sale can disrupt your relationship if you don't go about it the right way. With the exception of parent to child transfers...

Seller Tips

Home Sellers

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Posted on 05/24/2020

Financing with a Mortgage Lender

Photo by Helloquence on Unsplash When financing a home purchase, one of the most basic decisions to make is where to get your mortgage from. The basic options are whether you should go to a mortgage lender or not. Financing with a mortgage lender has both pros and cons. Pro: Many Loan Options If you go to a...

Mortgage

Lending

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Posted on 05/17/2020

Top Ideas for Kitchen Renovations

Photo by Solomon Rodgers via Pixabay When you've been in the same home for a while, it is common to get an itch to switch things up a little bit. For many homeowners, this means renovating the kitchen. Renovation is a great way to not only add a little bit of style but also increase the value of...

Home Repair

Home Improvements

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Posted on 05/10/2020

Tips for Sellers: Set Yourself Up for Success

A successful home selling experience is not a guarantee. However, if you prepare for the house selling journey, you may be better equipped than others to reap the benefits of a quick, profitable home selling experience. Now, let's take a look at three tips so you can set yourself up to succeed during the house selling journey. 1. Identify...

Tips On Selling

Selling Your Home

Posted on 05/03/2020

Recording Fees 101: What They Are & What They Mean for You

Photo by Steve Buissinne via Pixabay There are a variety of different terms that you must become familiar with as you purchase a new home. You have to pay an application fee, underwriting fees, titles fees and more. But one that seems to leave many buyers scratching their heads is the recording fee. A recording fee is a...

Buying

Recording Fees

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Posted on 04/26/2020

3 Easy DIY Wall Decor Pieces

Photo by Jasmin Schreiber on Unsplash If you have a little extra time and a few craft supplies, creating something impressive for your home is not as hard as it sounds. Check out three simple DIY wall decor pieces that no one would ever guess are homemade. Popsicle Stick Shelf You can pick up popsicle sticks in bulk...

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