Homeowner Insurance terminology can be overwhelming, and choosing the right policy is crucial if you ever need it. Generally, you will hear these coverage options: Replacement Cost Value, Replacement Cost Coverage, and Actual Cash Value. Replacement Cost Value is the actual present-day cost in dollars needed to repair or replace the property with like-kind and quality. Replacement Cost Coverage is a provision in an insurance policy that states losses will be adjusted without a deduction for depreciation. Just because someone has replacement cost coverage does not mean it is sufficient to repair or replace fully, because the coverage has a policy limit. Actual Cash Value (ACV) is a provision in an insurance policy that states losses will be adjusted with a deduction for depreciation. ACV may be less than the original value of the property. Have questions about buying a home? Let’s talk!
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Homeowner Insurance terminology can be overwhelming, and choosing the right policy is crucial if you ever need it. Generally, you will hear these coverage options: Replacement Cost Value, Replacement Cost Coverage, and Actual Cash Value. Replacement Cost Value is the actual present-day cost in dollars needed to repair or replace the property with like-kind and quality. Replacement Cost Coverage is a provision in an insurance policy that states losses will be adjusted without a deduction for depreciation. Just because someone has replacement cost coverage does not mean it is sufficient to repair or replace fully, because the coverage has a policy limit. Actual Cash Value (ACV) is a provision in an insurance policy that states losses will be adjusted with a deduction for depreciation. ACV may be less than the original value of the property. Have questions about buying a home? Let’s talk!

ByBrandon Butler

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In many parts of the country, financial concessions are being offered to help you buy a home. As an example, credits from the seller, real estate agent, or lender may be common to help you gather the funds you need to buy a home. When an “interested party” like a seller, agent, or lender provides you with financial concessions, there are some limitations. The good news is that even with these limits, the concessions may add up to the difference between owning a home or staying a renter. If you are curious about concessions or programs that can help you own a home, let’s talk!
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In many parts of the country, financial concessions are being offered to help you buy a home. As an example, credits from the seller, real estate agent, or lender may be common to help you gather the funds you need to buy a home. When an “interested party” like a seller, agent, or lender provides you with financial concessions, there are some limitations. The good news is that even with these limits, the concessions may add up to the difference between owning a home or staying a renter. If you are curious about concessions or programs that can help you own a home, let’s talk!

ByBrandon Butler

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Thinking about buying a condo? Before you choose that option, comment below, and I’ll send you “The Condo Buyer’s Guide,” which reviews:
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Thinking about buying a condo? Before you choose that option, comment below, and I’ll send you “The Condo Buyer’s Guide,” which reviews:

ByBrandon Butler

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Are You Owed a Rebate? There is a fantastic new tool to check out Energy Rebates that are available for your property called the “Energy Savings Program Finder.”  Just answer a few quick questions, which does not require an email, and this free online tool will tell you the rebates you may qualify for! Many of my clients are using this tool to determine if it is the right time to make some improvements to the home.  If you would like the link to this service, comment below, and I’ll send it to you.
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Are You Owed a Rebate? There is a fantastic new tool to check out Energy Rebates that are available for your property called the “Energy Savings Program Finder.”  Just answer a few quick questions, which does not require an email, and this free online tool will tell you the rebates you may qualify for! Many of my clients are using this tool to determine if it is the right time to make some improvements to the home.  If you would like the link to this service, comment below, and I’ll send it to you.

ByBrandon Butler

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Did you know there are home loans available that help you make energy upgrades to your home?  Many items are included in what can be upgraded. These programs have helped many homeowners keep their homes up to date and save on costly utility bills.   If you’d like to know more about these programs, please message me, and I’ll review your possibilities!
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Did you know there are home loans available that help you make energy upgrades to your home?  Many items are included in what can be upgraded. These programs have helped many homeowners keep their homes up to date and save on costly utility bills.   If you’d like to know more about these programs, please message me, and I’ll review your possibilities!

ByBrandon Butler

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Are Fundraising platforms such as ‘GoFundMe’ an option to raise funds to buy a home? Donated funds can get tricky because the agencies that create the rules for the industry do not directly address this specific issue.  If you are considering a fundraising platform to accumulate money for your down payment or closing costs, let’s talk first, and I’ll review the details with you.
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Are Fundraising platforms such as ‘GoFundMe’ an option to raise funds to buy a home? Donated funds can get tricky because the agencies that create the rules for the industry do not directly address this specific issue.  If you are considering a fundraising platform to accumulate money for your down payment or closing costs, let’s talk first, and I’ll review the details with you.

ByBrandon Butler

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Did you know that you do not need a credit score to buy a home? There are so many ways to document your credit history, such as your rental payment history, a cash flow analysis of income vs. expenses, utility bills, and other monthly recurring expenses. I will help you document a solid credit history to show that you are able to repay a home loan. If you have been told that you need a credit score by other lenders to buy a home, don’t believe them, and let’s talk!
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Did you know that you do not need a credit score to buy a home? There are so many ways to document your credit history, such as your rental payment history, a cash flow analysis of income vs. expenses, utility bills, and other monthly recurring expenses. I will help you document a solid credit history to show that you are able to repay a home loan. If you have been told that you need a credit score by other lenders to buy a home, don’t believe them, and let’s talk!

ByBrandon Butler

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Have you ever dreamed of owning a home in the country with land to roam on?  While farms and agricultural properties are a little more challenging to finance, properties in rural settings, including those that have agricultural characteristics, are acceptable for conventional financing. So, if you are thinking about moving to a home in a rural setting, let’s talk, and I’ll help you figure out how to finance it!
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Have you ever dreamed of owning a home in the country with land to roam on?  While farms and agricultural properties are a little more challenging to finance, properties in rural settings, including those that have agricultural characteristics, are acceptable for conventional financing. So, if you are thinking about moving to a home in a rural setting, let’s talk, and I’ll help you figure out how to finance it!

ByBrandon Butler

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Toxins in Your Home? Your new home is going to be a place where you and your family spend a lot of time.  The last thing you want is to find out your home has toxic issues!  When financing a home, an appraiser or home inspector can help you understand toxins you may be facing, such as asbestos-containing materials, peeling lead paint, radon, mold, contaminated drinking water, or proximity to waste sites.  As your lender, we review certain aspects of your home in the appraisal process.  However, there are other things you can do to ensure the home you are buying is low on toxins! Comment below, and I will send you some toxic tips to consider when purchasing a home.
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Toxins in Your Home? Your new home is going to be a place where you and your family spend a lot of time.  The last thing you want is to find out your home has toxic issues!  When financing a home, an appraiser or home inspector can help you understand toxins you may be facing, such as asbestos-containing materials, peeling lead paint, radon, mold, contaminated drinking water, or proximity to waste sites.  As your lender, we review certain aspects of your home in the appraisal process.  However, there are other things you can do to ensure the home you are buying is low on toxins! Comment below, and I will send you some toxic tips to consider when purchasing a home.

ByBrandon Butler

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If you are on an Income-Based Repayment Plan for your student loan, lenders will typically only consider the amount of your present payment when evaluating your debt for a conventional loan.  This has helped a lot of my clients qualify for a new home.  If you have student loans, let’s discuss your options when purchasing a home.
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If you are on an Income-Based Repayment Plan for your student loan, lenders will typically only consider the amount of your present payment when evaluating your debt for a conventional loan.  This has helped a lot of my clients qualify for a new home.  If you have student loans, let’s discuss your options when purchasing a home.

ByBrandon Butler

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Thinking about buying a condominium?  If so, there are a couple of essential details to consider.  First is whether the condominium is approved for financing. The second consideration is the amount of your monthly condominium fee and the condition of the property. The loan payment and the condominium fee are used to qualify you for a loan. So, the higher your condo fee, the lower the amount of home you can afford. If you are thinking about buying a condo, let’s talk and comment below for a fact sheet on “How Do I Know If It’s a Condo?”
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Thinking about buying a condominium?  If so, there are a couple of essential details to consider.  First is whether the condominium is approved for financing. The second consideration is the amount of your monthly condominium fee and the condition of the property. The loan payment and the condominium fee are used to qualify you for a loan. So, the higher your condo fee, the lower the amount of home you can afford. If you are thinking about buying a condo, let’s talk and comment below for a fact sheet on “How Do I Know If It’s a Condo?”

ByBrandon Butler

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Are you having issues with your Appraisal? New rules require lenders to allow Borrowers to appeal their appraisal if they believe it is not an accurate reflection of the home’s value. The process for requesting an appeal of your appraisal is required of all lenders by October 31, 2024, but may be implemented prior to that date.  I have a fact sheet outlining how this works, so comment below, and I’ll send it to you! 
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Are you having issues with your Appraisal? New rules require lenders to allow Borrowers to appeal their appraisal if they believe it is not an accurate reflection of the home’s value. The process for requesting an appeal of your appraisal is required of all lenders by October 31, 2024, but may be implemented prior to that date.  I have a fact sheet outlining how this works, so comment below, and I’ll send it to you! 

ByBrandon Butler

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Self-Employed Homebuyers, I have great news to share!  When you are self-employed it can be a challenge to figure out your income when speaking to a lender.  The reason is that every self-employed person has an individual story to tell about their business and how they receive their income.  To simplify this, we now have access to a tool that makes this process easier.  Let’s talk if you are exploring buying or refinancing your home. 
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Self-Employed Homebuyers, I have great news to share!  When you are self-employed it can be a challenge to figure out your income when speaking to a lender.  The reason is that every self-employed person has an individual story to tell about their business and how they receive their income.  To simplify this, we now have access to a tool that makes this process easier.  Let’s talk if you are exploring buying or refinancing your home. 

ByBrandon Butler

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Related Real Estate Agent “Gifting” Their Commission to a Family Member. If you have a family member willing to donate their real estate commission to help you buy a home, it can be done. The key is understanding the program differences, as some will permit the commission to be used as a down payment, and other programs will only permit the gift of commission to be used toward closing costs. If this sounds like something you want to discuss, let’s talk! I’m here to help!
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Related Real Estate Agent “Gifting” Their Commission to a Family Member. If you have a family member willing to donate their real estate commission to help you buy a home, it can be done. The key is understanding the program differences, as some will permit the commission to be used as a down payment, and other programs will only permit the gift of commission to be used toward closing costs. If this sounds like something you want to discuss, let’s talk! I’m here to help!

ByBrandon Butler

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Are you Self-Employed and wondering what documentation is needed to finance a home? The answer depends on how long you have been in business, how you are paid, and the steadiness of your income. The loan approval systems evaluate the length of time you have been self-employed, how your income is trending [up, down, or steady], and how you are paid by your business. Based on these factors, the documentation needed to qualify you for a loan will be determined. If you are Self-Employed, let’s talk! I’m sure I can help you discover the path to homeownership.
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Are you Self-Employed and wondering what documentation is needed to finance a home? The answer depends on how long you have been in business, how you are paid, and the steadiness of your income. The loan approval systems evaluate the length of time you have been self-employed, how your income is trending [up, down, or steady], and how you are paid by your business. Based on these factors, the documentation needed to qualify you for a loan will be determined. If you are Self-Employed, let’s talk! I’m sure I can help you discover the path to homeownership.

ByBrandon Butler

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