How Much For My Down Payment?
Down payments for homes can range from 5 to 20 percent of the purchase price, depending on the type of product you are eligible for.
If a low credit score is making it hard for you to get a loan, take action to improve your situation. Your agent will provide advice, and you can also check out the tips on improving your credit score on MyFico.com.
Several websites can help you check your credit score. Visit annualcreditreport.com for a free annual credit report from each of the major reporting agencies. For just your FICO score, which is most often used by lenders to gauge your risk level, you can visit MyFico.com.
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Local Expert Updates
Janie Eick
Cell: 712.339.0574
Aaron Jones
Cell: 712.320.9442
Greg Sheeler
Cell: 712.330.1573
Will Kretsinger
Cell: 712.301.4040
Kymm Jones
Cell: 712.320.6737Community Updates
Cheap vs high end quality. A buyer's perspective.
Here's the scenario. You are building a house or remodeling your house. Material costs are up. Labor costs are up. You ask yourself, where can I save a buck? Before answering this question, you must be careful, especially if your home is located in an area where other quality homes are built, whether on the lake, off the lake, or in higher valued developments such as golf course developments, etc. Growing up in construction and with a plethora of new construction and remodels under my belt, let me share with you some of the easy things that your future buyers will recognize when they are looking for quality.
1. One of the first things buyers of higher end homes will look for is to determine if the owner used hollow core doors. It's an immediate sign that the seller was looking for ways to save money (where else then did they cut back that I can't see???)
2. The second most obvious is the counter tops. Did the sellers spend for a quality granite, quartz, or other hard surface, or was formica used?
3. The third item that might stick out is the cabinetry. Do the drawers have dovetail construction with hardwoods? Did they use "soft close" drawers? Are there pull outs for the pots and pans?
4. Flooring is an easy one also. Was laminate used, or is it engineered or hardwoods? Does the carpet convey a quality feel and plushness? Is there a nice thick pad underneath the carpet?
5. Though there are many other items to look at, cheap vs quality lighting and plumbing fixtures are probably the next major focus.
There is nothing wrong with with using lower cost materials, especially when trying to keep a project within budget, especially when trying to build more house for less money. Just be aware that most buyers looking to spend in excess of $300k for off lake homes and $500+ for East Lake chain homes, and $1M+ for West and Big Spirit will expect the very best materials and finishes.
The Coffee Shop
This quaint coffee shop in downtown Milford, IA is the talk of the town. You must stop in for a hot or cold drink and enjoy the atmosphere of this eclectic cafe. Locals and visitors alike enjoy meeting at this town favorite.