Using Your Tax Refund as Part of Your House Down Payment

From Catherine Mitchell, The Intentional Realtor®™

Saving up for the down payment for a house is one of the most challenging aspects of buying a home, even if it’s not your first home. But there’s good news during tax season! You can get a little boost by using your tax refund. While doing taxes is not a task most people enjoy, if you are shopping for a house, it’s time to get started.

Down Payment Amounts

So how much do you need to put down? Most lenders require a down payment of at least 3 percent of the purchase price. If you qualify for a Federal Housing Administration loan, you must put down 3.5 percent. You will want to consult a lender to learn about the various loan programs available, and discern which one is right for your situation. Lenders I can recommend are: Sandy Dickinson (sdickinson@summitfunding.net) with Summit Funding and Leslie Church (leslie.church@phmc.com) with Platinum Home Mortgage. Let them know I gave you their name to receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

Should You Use a Tax Refund?

According to IRS information, the average tax return is around $3,000, so those funds will be a big help towards reaching your down payment goal. Definitely include your refund in any plans you are making regarding saving for a down payment. You might save your refunds for a few years and end up with a nice sum to apply towards the purchase of your new home.

Down Payment Assistance

Need an extra boost to get to your goal? North Carolina has down payment assistance programs that can help buyers, including up to $15,000 in assistance if you’re buying in Mecklenburg County. You can check with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to learn more and find out if you qualify. Get in touch with Sandy or Leslie (contact info above) or contact me if you have questions about the down payment for your future home.

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Connect with Catherine:

As The Intentional Realtor, my goal is to help you achieve the reality of homeownership. I’ll do my best to make sure that you receive the best representation possible when it comes to buying a home and that you understand all the duties of your fiduciary, which is why securing a good Realtor is in your best interest to help you find the home of your dreams.

For this and more real estate needs by The Intentional Realtor, connect with me, Catherine Mitchell, at (704) 898-0605 http://www.catherinemitchellrealty.com/

7 Fixes to Prepare Your House for the Spring Sales Boom

From Catherine Mitchell, The Intentional Realtor®™

Spring is one of the best times to sell a house. However, selling your house is not as simple as calling your Charlotte real estate agent and saying, “Put a sign out front; we’re ready!”

How to Prepare Your Home to Sell

The home you want to sell is one you may have lived in for a while. Selling can be hard, especially when you learn you need to make changes to the house before you can sell it. Making those changes can feel insulting, as though your house isn’t good enough to please people just the way it is. The truth is that buyers have a critical eye, and during the spring sales boom, more houses are on the market.

7 Fixes to Help Sell Your Home

1. Big repairs. If the roof is full of holes or the heating system is kaput, fix the problem. Few buyers are looking for a major home project before moving in. Some savvy buyers will accept a deal, but only after heavily negotiating the price. 
2. Kitchen. The kitchen sells the house. Charlotte real estate agents will tell you a kitchen remodel will fetch between 85 and 100 percent return on that investment. If you want to sell your house this year, get going on that kitchen renovation. If you can’t afford an entire remodel, consider changing the cabinets, countertops, or floors, or some combination. 
3. Bathrooms. Bathrooms are a big item on any homebuyer’s shopping list. If yours still has linoleum floors, it’s time to consider a makeover. 
4. Paint. A fresh coat of paint will brighten the space. Bold colors can be toned down to help buyers see the house in a more neutral way. 
5. Lighting. Homes with a good amount of light sell better. Change your lightbulbs, wash the curtains, and clean the windows. 
6. Floors. Whether you have hardwoods or carpets, it’s time for an early spring cleaning. But some floors need a little more help. 
7. Curb appeal. Plant a few flowers in the spring and make sure the lawn looks good. Repaint the fence and if the driveway is cracked, recoat the asphalt. If your trim needs a fresh coat of paint, especially white, that’s a good fix, too. 

Fast Fixes and Skips

While spending money on some things will help sell your home, you might be able to stage your way around some problems. Here are some fast fixes to get your home ready:
● Deep cleaning. You may be able to avoid replacing shower or bathroom tile if you hire a crew to do a deep clean and brighten that white.
● Skip big changes to the basement, garage, attic, and laundry room unless something is leaking or in need of serious repair.

Read more on our website: http://catherinemitchellrealty.com/blog/ 

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Connect with Catherine:

As The Intentional Realtor, my goal is to help you achieve the reality of home ownership.  I’ll do my best to make sure that you receive the best representation possible when it comes to buying a home and that you receive a quality home inspection from certified home inspector for what could be your future home, which is why securing a good Realtor is in your best interest to help you find the home of your dreams.

For this and more real estate needs by the The Intentional Realtor, connect with me, Catherine Mitchell, at (704) 898-0605 http://www.catherinemitchellrealty.com/