Cheryl Nightingale - Monarch Realty Group, LLC

10 IMPORTANT HOME LOAN  MORTGAGE TIPS You’re just starting your search to purchase a Bourne home-this is an exciting time! Before you schedule your first home tour, getting prequalified for a mortgage is an important first step. Here’s a checklist to get you on your way to buying the Cataumet home of your dreams. Personal documents:  You’ll need two forms of government-issued ID, your social security number, divorce papers if applicable, as well as proof of ownership of other property. Review your credit report:  You should be able to do this free of charge. Be sure to dispute any errors or provide an explanation for late payments or derogatory items. Then, keep your credit score healthy by avoiding any new credit inquiries, canceling any credit accounts, or lowering limits with any creditors. Doing any of these things could lower your credit score. Tax returns:  You’ll need to provide tax returns for the previous year, and potentially for the last two years. P

TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME?  HERE’S WHAT TO DO NEXT You’ve decided to sell your Bourne home. Now that the big decision has been made, you have lots to do. To help you prepare, here are the steps involved in a typical home sale. Timing-When’s the Right Time to Sell? Timing your home sale can be tricky, especially when you take our unpredictable economic environment into account. Conventional wisdom says spring is the best time to sell a home. During the spring; gardens are blooming, the holidays are behind us, and the new school year is distant. Because spring is a favorite season to sell, there’s a huge increase in competition. You’ll need to use clever marketing and staging techniques to make your property stand out among the others. Typically, you’ll want to avoid selling in December and January. Buyers tend to be distracted and budgets are often stretched thin during the holiday months.  Pricing-Selling at the Highest Price Possible First, find out what your Cat

DO YOU KNOW THE KEY DIFFERENCES  BETWEEN A CONVENTIONAL,  FHA, AND VA LOAN? Are you scratching your head trying to figure out which type of mortgage is going to best suit your needs in Bourne? For most borrowers, there are three major loan types: Conventional, Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and Veterans Affairs (VA). Here is some information on all three to help you decide which loan is perfect for you. Conventional Loans If you have great credit, a conventional loan could be your best bet and qualify you for the most competitive interest rate. If you have a credit score in the 700s, have a down payment of 5 to 20%, and have a low (less than 40%) debt-to-income ratio (the percentage of your monthly income allocated to debt, such as mortgages, credit card payments, or other loans). With a conventional mortgage, you’ll have fewer barriers to break down and can usually obtain one quicker than an FHA or VA loan In addition to having a down payment, you will also l

LEASE VS. BUY: WHICH IS THE  SMARTER CHOICE FOR BOURNE  COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE? Your Bourne company is growing and it’s time to move into a bigger, or maybe even a different space to meet the daily needs of your workers. The biggest question on company leaders’ minds: “Should we rent or buy commercial office space?” The answer, of course, depends on many factors – here is a guide to help you decide which path to explore further: Why you might consider leasing You’re not ready for a long-term investment.  You haven’t found the perfect Cataumet property to invest in for the long haul, or maybe you’re not ready to make a long-term commitment. It also requires an investment of time and emotion- Owning real estate is a distinct, non-core business that will require your time, knowledge, and resources. Not having to worry about this frees you up to grow your business in other ways. Tax benefits.  Come tax time, you can deduct your lease payments and other rental expe