Becky Culp

Local Getaways & Day Trips Near Sarasota, FL

With its laid-back coastal town feel, white sandy beaches, balmy weather, and buzzing art districts, it's easy to see why Sarasota is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It's also a great base for fun day trips just two hours away along the seaside Florida [...]

Is a Home Equity Loan an Option?

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Is a Home Equity Loan an Option?

 

Here's the scenario: you have a project and need to borrow some money, but you want to do it in the most economic manner.  You've got a low rate on your existing first mortgage and don't want to do a cash-out refinance and pay a higher rate.  Is a home equity loan an [...]

Home Inventory

A woman looking at a home. moving checklist

Home Inventory

 

Generally speaking, when you need an inventory of your personal belongings, it is too late to make one.  Sure, you can reconstruct it but undoubtedly, you'll forget things and that can cost you money when filing your insurance [...]

Would-be Buyers with Student Debt

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59% of non-owners are not comfortable taking on a mortgage with their student debt according to the Aspiring Home Buyers 2017 survey. It is estimated that the college graduates have an average of $37,172 in student [...]

Good Info - Good Decisions

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While low inventory is certainly challenging buyers, not having a clear understanding of mortgage financing is also causing issues. By having good information, they are able to make better decisions as well as compete [...]

Rentals are Ideal

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Rental homes are the IDEAL investment because they offer a higher rate of return than other investments without the volatility of the stock market. With certificates of deposit and bonds at less than 2%, people need an alternative investment that they understand and with a reasonable amount of [...]

Save the Cost of Mortgage Insurance

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During the banking crisis in the Great Recession, certain types of mortgages were unavailable that are once again being offered. Fortunately, the 80-10-10 mortgage is one of those making a reappearance and it can save borrowers a considerable amount of [...]

Tax Benefits of Homeownership

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U.S. taxpayers have enjoyed specific tax benefits for home ownership since personal income tax was introduced by the 16th amendment in 1913. While these benefits may not be the primary reason that motivates a person to buy a home, they are still tangible and not available to [...]

Advantages of Rental Real Estate Investing

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Single-family homes offer an investor the ability to borrow large loan-to-value amounts at fixed interest rates for long terms on appreciating assets, tax advantages and reasonable control. Some of these characteristics are not available through other [...]

What would you give?

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Yogi Berra said he’d give his right arm to be ambidextrous. While most first-time home buyers are not going to that extreme, it is interesting to see what sacrifices are being made according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2016 Profile of Home Buyers [...]

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