Join myself and Ron Stroup of Loan Depot as we dive into some great loan programs that offer zero down payment options.

Join your host Dan Giachetti of Movementum Realty and Ron Stroup of Loan Depot as they dive into the basics of a VA Home Loan benefit for Veterans and active duty military to include national guard and reserves. We will be covering what exactly is a VA Home Loan, and the different benefits and savings are associated with this type of Loan!

In this episode we discuss that when buying a home it is important to do all you can to protect your property from abnormal wear and tear. Make sure to sit down and create a normal maintenance plan to ensure everything is being done. During the home inspection process the home inspector tells us a lot about the general maintenance of your home. Use your home inspection report to generate a checklist of the things that need attention. Choosing to do a little project each week can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. A home left on its own without maintenance will end up in disrepair very quickly at your own personal expense.

In this episode we discuss that during the height of the pandemic market we saw people waving home inspections on the majority of home purchases. Recently we have seen an uptick in the amount of buyers choosing to have a home inspection. Having a home inspection is not required in order to obtain a home loan but there are some standards that must be met based on each loan type. The appraisal is the process where the lender does their property inspection to watch out for major items. Choosing to waive a home inspection oftentimes gives an offer a better chance of getting accepted. That said it puts full liability on the buyer if they purchase the home and something is wrong.

In this episode we discuss that when buying a home it is important to look at all options within your budget. Oftentimes if new construction is within your budget one of the added benefits is less short term maintenance costs. When buying new construction you can before, during, or after the construction process. The more custom you want your home the earlier you need to be involved in the purchase. With new construction it is important to have flexibility on a move in date. With such a large project and so many moving pieces there is a large possibility of delays and changes.

In this episode we discuss that owning a home is a big responsibility that comes with the need to attend to things when bad weather is coming. Failure to secure your property can lead to massive damages that often are not covered by your insurance company. Make sure to keep trees and branches pruned back away from growing over your home to a safe distance. Failure to do so could cause you to suffer a huge property loss in a high wind event. When heavy rains are forecasted make sure to walk your property and think what you can do to divert water. Cleaning storm drains, placing sandbags, testing pumps, extending gutters, and so much more are great ways to avoid a costly flood.

In this episode we discuss that when organizing a room and putting things into storage it is important to get creative. If there is a way to better fold, deflate, break down, etc than do it as you store items space always seems abundant at first. Most homes have extra storage space in the attic. Simply add some plywood to your attic to create a floor and then you have more places to store items. When storing items in the basement, getting large totes that stack well can really conserve space and give a clean look. Remember when selling a home the home inspector needs access to all the walls so stack them at least 18” away from the walls.

In this episode we discuss that during the summer months it is very important that we keep our family and pets safe from biting insects. While keeping them safe from these nuisances we also must keep them safe from harmful chemicals. One place to start ridding your property of insects is to implement insect control through environmental design. This includes removing standing water, trimming back brush, and keeping your lawn maintained. For natural protection there are lots of different oils you can safely apply to your skin that keep the bugs away. This organic remedy includes oils like cedar oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, citrus oils, and so much more.

In this episode we discuss that when it comes to letting in the fresh air it is important to pay attention to the humidity levels. Humidity levels over 60% can often lead to mold and other growths in your home. A humidistat is a tool used to measure the humidity in the air. Make sure to get a few humidistats to monitor the humidity in different areas throughout the home. A dehumidifier with a humidistat setting can really save you both energy and from future water related issues. The best bet is to buy a pump version and hard plumb it in so you do not need to think about it and empty the heavy bucket.

In this episode we discuss that when selling your home it is important to start the process early by contacting a real estate agent. That way if there is need to do any improvements to maximize your sale price there is plenty of time to get the job done. Working with a trusted Realtor® will help you in making the right decisions in all of the critical parts of selling. Setting the right sale price, choosing the right marketing, deciding what improvements are worth it, and other crucial decisions are much easier to make with a trust advisor. The next step in selling a home is figuring out where you will be living after the sale which is why setting the right price really matters. Whether you're purchasing your next home or downsizing into an apartment knowing your budget really matters to finding success.