First impressions matter when selling a home. But the first thing buyers see isn’t always your staged living room or upgraded kitchen. The price is the first impression buyers have of your home. The price also determines whether buyers skip over your home or go inside for a better look. Home buyers are attuned to […]
Wouldn’t it be great to own a place at the beach, in the mountains, or by the lake? If you are seriously considering buying a vacation home, you have probably weighed many of the pros and cons already. But you should carefully consider everything before you buy. Have you taken these additional costs and benefits […]
It’s back-to-school season. School supplies are front and center in the stores, back-to-school sales are everywhere, and school buses are becoming part of the morning commute. Even if the public school district is not an important factor in your home search, the location of public schools can still have a significant impact on your home […]
Anytime you relocate to a new area, whether it’s a city just a few miles away or across the country, you face a unique set of challenges. The housing market, the transit, and even the weather may not be what you’re used to. Planning your move can be difficult, too, since you need to coordinate when, where, and how […]
Scrolling through online listing photos, scouting for the best neighborhoods, and pondering décor in your new home is fun. But the home search itself is not the only enjoyable experience; the entire home buying process can be pleasant when you have access to the best tools. Here are the top six resources you should use to make buying a home […]
Owning a home is a dream for many people. You have the opportunity to invest in a place of your own and build equity, not to mention carve out a space that reflects who you are and what you love. However, worries about down payments, property taxes, maintenance, and insurance (and student loans) can make buying a […]
Spring is here! The warmer weather, beautiful flowers, and longer days are perfect for viewing homes in person, and it’s no wonder that the spring season is a popular time for home buyers to start looking at homes and neighborhoods. But before you start driving around and visiting open houses, you should follow these important house hunting tips. […]
There are many benefits to owning a home: A home is an investment that can earn equity, is often cheaper to buy than to rent, and is your own place that you can fill with wonderful memories. But another great benefit about owning a home is the financial benefits that you can take advantage of during tax season. Major Tax Breaks for Homeowners […]
Martin Bouma and The Bouma Group welcome Lauren Astles to their team of Real Estate Professionals as a Buyer’s Agent. Lauren joins the team with over 8 years of experience in the Real Estate business. Having studied and gained professional experience in England, she is driven in providing her clients with the best service and […]
Mortgage Acronyms – OMG! Completing the mortgage process can be a daunting experience, especially for first time home buyers. Banks seem to use an entirely different language than the rest of us. Chances are you are already familiar with some common banking acronyms – DDA, ATM, ACH. We’ve described some others below that you may […]
