Suzanne's Blog

Do you need a perfect credit score of 850 to buy a home… (nope)

By Suzanne Volkman | Oct 25, 2023

If a low credit score is keeping you from buying a home, you’re not alone. Nearly a quarter of Americans under 35 say that bad credit is preventing them from owning a home, according to CNBC’s Your Money survey conducted by Survey Monkey. What does it take to buy a home? The minimum score needed can be as low […]

Read More

How Much Home Can You Afford … Realistically?

By Suzanne Volkman | Oct 5, 2023

If you’re like many Americans, your home will be the most expensive thing you own. It will be a key part of your estate as you plan for the long term. So you need to think strategically from the outset. To start with, if you want to know how much of a mortgage lenders think […]

Read More

Is it 2007 again in the housing market?

By Suzanne Volkman | Sep 27, 2023

Ryan Lundquist has some great things to consider in his blog post (linked below). Here are the meat and potatoes of what he had to say: “Is it 2007 again? There’s so much talk online about today’s housing market being like 2007, but what are the stats showing? Today I want to walk through three […]

Read More

Should You Make a Large Home Downpayment?

By Suzanne Volkman | Sep 22, 2023

Depending on the loan type, you can qualify for a mortgage with a downpayment that is as low as 3% of your home’s final purchase price. And for some loans — such as a VA loan or USDA mortgage — you don’t need any downpayment at all. But what if you can afford a larger […]

Read More

5 Outdoor Projects That Pay Off the Most

By Suzanne Volkman | Sep 22, 2023

What pays off the most when it comes to curb appeal? Ninety-two percent of REALTORS® recommend that sellers improve their curb appeal before listing their home for sale, according to a survey from the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. What pays off the most when it comes to curb […]

Read More

6 Ways Your Buyers Can Save on Their Mortgage

By Suzanne Volkman | Sep 21, 2023

With rates around 7%, home buyers are feeling the financial squeeze. Here are a few secrets to ensuring that you get the best deal that you can on your loan. Although mortgage rates, which have been hovering near 7% over the last few weeks, are expected to fall in the second half of the year, […]

Read More

Assuming a loan.. Is it worth it?

By Suzanne Volkman | Sep 7, 2023

Local Appraiser, Ryan Lundquist, has recently posted his thoughts on this matter. Read on to see what he thinks about the topic of assuming a loan in today’s real estate market climate.   August 29, 2023 By Ryan Lundquist  “Assumable loans are eye candy in today’s housing market. The idea of taking over somebody’s 2.5% loan sounds […]

Read More

Navigating New Home Purchases: 5 Tips to Consider

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 29, 2023

Are you among those feeling frustrated due to the limited housing options available in the current market? If so, you might be eyeing the prospect of buying a new home directly from a builder. The appeal is clear: a brand-new, tailored-to-you home without the complications of bidding wars and costly renovations. However, as enticing as […]

Read More

Finding Your Dream Home: Turnkey vs. Fixer-Upper – What’s Trending in the Real Estate Market

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 29, 2023

Are you on the hunt for your dream home? The real estate landscape is evolving, and it seems like today’s buyers have a clear preference – they’re looking for homes that are move-in ready. I’m going to dive into the latest trends in the housing market, exploring why more and more buyers are leaning towards […]

Read More