Cheryl Nightingale - Monarch Realty Group, LLC

If you've seen the Tom Hanks classic movie, "The Money Pit," you know that while it's funny happening to someone else, when your fixer-upper home becomes a money pit, it's more like a horror movie. If you're looking for a new property and considering an underpriced fixer-upper, you could end up with a nightmare full of endless home repairs. Here are some ways to make sure your Bourne home-buying reality doesn't become the stuff of movies and cost you more money than you bargained for. Start With A Solid Foundation One of the most important components of a home, it should stand on a solid foundation: a steel-reinforced, concrete perimeter foundation wall, and footing. The foundation should be straight and square—if you notice leaning or bulging in places, the structure could be compromised. In the basement, check for large cracks or gaps in the foundation walls.  Large, V-shaped cracks could be a sign that the home needs extensive foundation...

Just like in any other profession, there are good real estate agents ... and there are, unfortunately, subpar real estate agents, too. But how do you know if you've got a dreamboat or a dud handling your real estate transaction? One way to know whether you've got a good agent (or not) is to consider some of the tasks and activities that a really good agent will manage for a client, then apply what you've learned to your own agent. If you don't have time to track down all of the things that a good agent should be doing for a buyer or a seller, then you're in luck: We've compiled a list so you don't have to. Ask you about your homeownership needs (and hopes) It's dangerous to make assumptions at the best of times, but when it comes to shopping for a home, assumptions are downright dangerous. So if you have an agent who assumes ... everything ... be wary. A good agent should ask you questions -- lots of them -- about where you've lived, what ...

Real estate investing is gaining popularity in Bourne, and if you've been giving it some thought, this guide will give you an overview. The goal of any real estate investor is  typically  to make money. This means purchasing an investment property at a good price so you can rent it out and maybe eventually sell it for a profit.  Real estate investing is an  ever changing  game. To get and stay ahead and make consistent money, you'll need to do your homework. Here are 10 things to know: 1) Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage When you get a mortgage pre-approval first, there are some benefits you can take advantage of, financial benefits being a big one. Once you're pre-approved, most lenders will lock in an interest rate for you, so if rates go up while you're conducting your property search, you'll enjoy your lower, locked-in rate. When it comes to demonstrating your seriousness to a potential seller, having a pre-approved mortgage could get you prefer...

Whether you live in a flood, hurricane, or tornado zone, you want to make sure your Bourne home is ready to stand up to whatever mother nature can hurl its way. The best time to storm-proof your home is before severe weather strikes and well in advance of warnings of imminent weather.   Here's what to focus on to keep your Cataumet home safe and strong: 1) Check your roof, gutters, and downspouts.  Your entire roofing and drainage system's goal is to direct water as far away from your home as possible. Twice a year, check and clean gutters of any debris and test your downspouts to make sure water is flowing easily and there are no blockages. You can test your downspouts while it's raining, or use a garden hose to make sure water is coming out as it should. Inspect your roof for any weak spots. Even with an untrained eye, you'll be able to easily spot obvious worn out areas like missing shingles, popped nails, or any warping. If you spot any obvious concern...

Being a homeowner definitely has its advantages, and saving money on your taxes each year just might be at the top of the list. Make sure you're taking advantage of these common tax perks as a homeowner: 1) Mortgage interest One of the most common tax perks, you can deduct mortgage interest for your primary residence, and for a second home as long as you mean certain conditions.  2) Equity loan interest If you have a line of credit or home equity loan, you may be able to deduct some of the interest within IRS limits.  3) Property taxes or real estate taxes State or city property taxes are fully deductible from your income. Your mortgage lender may have required you to set up an escrow account, and in this case, you can only deduct escrow money held for property taxes when the funds are used to pay the property taxes. Keep in mind that if you receive a refund on city or state property taxes, this will reduce your federal deduction. 4) Points On your fee schedule from your ...

If you've been thinking about investing in real estate, getting your finances in order before you start searching for properties in Bourne and scheduling appointments will save you from money headaches in the long run.  Real estate investments could be one of your largest investments, and unless you have cash ready to invest, you'll need a plan for financing and a plan for cash flow in the future. Here's what you need to do before heading out to property shop in Cataumet: 1) Create A Financing Plan If you have strong credit, consistent W-2 income, and a sizeable down payment, traditional financing could be your best option for your first real estate investment since interest rates are typically low and the terms are attractive. Figure out how much you can afford based on your current expenses, and how much cash you'll need to have on hand for renovations and upgrades. Make sure you know where your liquid funds will come from to improve your chances of landing a go...

One excellent way to improve your financial profile is to buy a home of your own. But we won't lie: It's a long and potentially incredibly stressful process, especially when it comes to the dollars and cents of securing a mortgage loan. So how do you navigate the stress of the journey in order to reach Destination Homeowner? There's a lot that's within your control to help ease some of that stress and make the whole thing a little bit easier. If you take a few steps upfront to manage the financial details early, you'll thank yourself on moving day. Get pre-approved for a mortgage Getting your mortgage loan is arguably the most labor-intensive aspect of buying a home. You'll have to submit documents that show your income and expenses, including tax returns, bank statements, paystubs, and more. A mortgage pre-approval is much more involved than its lighter cousin, the mortgage pre-qualification. But a pre-approval will help you understand exactly how...