(1)  Underestimating costs, such as utility bills, home maintenance expenses, property taxes & maybe HOA dues & more.  (2)  Overlooking important financing details, such as credit report, how much cash putting down so can determine loan amount, etc.  (3)  Not researching the neighborhood, such as schools, parks, safety, proximity to transportation, shopping & whatever else is important to you.  CONTINUED NEXT TIME!!

Sustainable neighborhood features:  (1)  Parks & outdoor recreation;  (2)  Access to local food;  (3)  Recycling;  (4)  Walkability;  (5)  Public transportation;  (6)  Bike lanes/paths.  All of these are desirable features buyers look at when buying a home and your local REALTOR can help with all this.  SO JUST CONTACT THEM OR DAVE & CAROLYN BAIN, BAIN REAL ESTATE AT 903-571-2191.

Home features that Realtors said clients consider to be very important include:  (1)  Efficient use of lighting;  (2) A smart/connected home;  (3)  Green community features such as bike lanes & green spaces;  (4)  Landscaping for water conservation; & (5)  Renewable energy systems such as solar & geothermal.  CONTINUED NEXT TIME!

A 30 year conventional loan with a credit score over 720 and can get a rate of 4.125% with APR 4.285% & NO points with a 45 day lock.  15 year conventional loans can be 3.250%.  VA, FHA and USDA have similar rates, so THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO PURCHASE A NEW HOME & LEAVE SOME EXTRA MONEY IN YOUR POCKET.  Even with the Federal Reserve raising the short-term interest rate in March, usually mortgage rates follow suit – but did NOT this time.  We will see, won’t we!