10 Reasons To Buy New

10 REASONS TO BUY NEW

One of the first decisions when looking for a home is whether to buy new or purchase an existing home. While there are some advantages to purchasing resale such as an established neighborhood or included upgrades, there are also many benefits of buying a new home including:

1. New Home Pricing

The price of a new home used to be more expensive than an existing one, with falling land costs, that is no longer true. Your new home is likely to need fewer repairs or replacements since everything is new. Even better, homes usually appreciate with time and when you buy a new home located in a desirable neighborhood, the value may increase even more and you likely will have a greater resale appeal if and when you sell.

2. Your Neighborhood Is Well Planned

Builders know that a key factor in selling homes is to build them in well-planned, desirable neighborhoods. This is accomplished by carefully selecting lots in locations with a quality reputation and desirable amenities for future residents including top-ranked educational facilities and best-in-class dining, shopping and recreation.

3. Up-To-Date Design

New and better ways of constructing homes are consistently being generated. Also, as consumer trends change, new construction can respond with floorplans to accommodate customer needs that some existing homes do not include such as great rooms (oversized family rooms), larger closets, media niches and larger state-of-the-art kitchens.

4. Warranties

A new home comes with something no older home can provide.... the builder's limited warranty. This is your assurance that you are getting what you paid for and that your builder stands behind their product. A warranty typically covers new appliances, carpets, mechanical equipment and overall construction of a new home for a period of time.

5. Energy Efficiency

New homes are more energy efficient because they are better insulated, have better windows and more efficient central heating and air conditioning systems.

6. Wired for State-of-the-Art Technology

With the abundance of home computers, home media centers, surround sound and other modern conveniences, new homes are being wired to accommodate state-of-the-art technology that wasn't available when many existing homes were built.

7. Healthy Living

New homes may offer health advantages. Asbestos is no longer used in shingles, floor tiles, ceilings or insulation. And most often, lead is no longer used in paint, and formaldehyde emissions have been virtually eliminated from plywood and particle board.

8. Low Maintenance

New homebuilders use the latest and greatest materials that technology can offer. The result? New homes are virtually maintenance free for many years.

9. Help Through the Process

To help make the new home buying process more manageable, builders provide customers with a team of trusted professionals to guide them through the process. This is especially helpful for first-time buyers.

10. A New Home Is All Yours

There is truly no place like home, and when you purchase new construction, you are able to create the setting you desire. The flooring, window coverings, appliances in the kitchen are all special touches that make your home distinct and special will be exactly what you decide.

If you have any questions or would like to tour a New Home Community in Kingsport, Johnson City, Boone's Creek or Gray, Tennessee call a new home specialist at 423-218-2008 or check out our website at edinburghcommunity.com

What Borrowers Should Know about FHA Loans

What Borrowers Should Know about FHA Loans

1. FHA loans are not only for lower-income borrowers. FHA loans are available to everyone. There is no maximum income restriction associated with FHA loans, but borrowers do need to substantiate income and assets by submitting proper documentation. This requirement ensures that borrowers are well-vetted and truly able to afford their future homes.

2. FHA loans are not only for first-time buyers. Many people believe FHA loans are available only to first-time home buyers, but this is not the case. Whether borrowers are making their first home purchase or their fifth, they can look to FHA loans as a home financing option.

3. FHA loans are not just small loans; in fact, loan amounts can be as high as almost $800,000. The government recently raised the maximum loan amount from its original cap of $362,790 to $793,750 as a way to help stabilize the housing market. The amount a buyer can borrow varies from county to county, though. Later this summer, condo buyers interested in FHA loans can visit www.checkfhaapproval.com to instantly identify FHA-approved condo associations and review maximum loan amounts for a given location.

4. FHA loans are not affiliated with the Section 8 housing program. While both programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), FHA loans have nothing to do with low-income subsidized housing. FHA loans are simply mortgages insured by FHA. This insurance provided by the federal government allows lenders to lend more freely by assuring them that they will be repaid in the event of default. Most traditional lenders, including Wells Fargo & Co., JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup are able to provide FHA loans to their customers.

5. FHA loans are often more affordable than conventional loans. While FHA loans typically offer the same interest rates as other loans, borrowers benefit from a much lower down payment of as low as 3.5%.

6. FHA-approved condo developments are more desirable to buyers. With 87% of home buyers indicating that they plan to use FHA loans, condo associations that are not FHA approved are missing out on a significant pool of prospective buyers. Under rules in place since February 2010, an entire condominium development must now apply to HUD and be granted FHA approval before a buyer can purchase a unit in an association with an FHA loan or before an existing unit owner can refinance into an FHA loan.

Due to the general challenges with today’s lenders extending credit with respect to conventional loans, many borrowers may find that FHA is their best bet. Lenders don’t mind lending when the federal government (FHA) assures them of repayment.

Homeowners associations (HOAs) should note that although FHA-insured mortgages might be easier to obtain, they are not “risky” loans, due in large part to the strict “full documentation” requirements placed on borrowers. Individual buyers or sellers can initiate the approval process or current owners can encourage their HOA to apply.

7. FHA loans are assumable. In addition to lower down-payment and credit-qualifying requirements as compared to conventional loans, FHA loans are assumable. This means that when a seller with an FHA loan sells his or her property, the loan and its financing terms (interest rate) can be transferred to the new buyer. This unique feature will certainly make a property more valuable in times of rising interest rates.

Both Edinburgh and Edinburgh both fully qualify under FHA guidelines. Call Eric Kistner with Keller Williams/The Edinburgh Group to learn about all of your financing options. 423-218-2008 edinburghhomes@gmail.com