StartingPoint Realty Blog
Should Home Buyers Pay Points on a Mortgage?
As mortgage interest rates creep up, the question of paying points on a mortgage is popping up again. You might already notice mortgage rate advertisements saying something like, "30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage, 4.35% with 1 point!" Ok, great, but what the heck is...
Chicago Home Buyers Should Consider Resale Value
According to Crain's Chicago Business, those who bought homes in the northwest neighborhoods right after the recession are the most “equity rich” in Chicago. "Equity rich" is loosely defined as having at least 50% equity in your home. But only about 15% of...
Chicago Homes Among Most Affordable in U.S.
Skyrocketing home prices have made things tough on first-time home buyers around the country. According to a recent report by ATTOM Data Solutions, median home prices exceed the reach of average wages in about 68% of U.S. counties. The study compared median home sales...
Credit Score Clean-Up Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
As a first-time home buyer, you'll want to have the strongest possible credit score when you apply for a mortgage. The higher your score, the better your mortgage offers, and the less interest you'll pay! But what, exactly, is a "good" credit score? FICO is the...
3 Challenges Facing First-Time Buyers (and how to handle them!)
Buying your first home in Chicago or the Northwest suburbs has always required fortitude! Already, 2018 is shaping up to be another competitive year. Here are the 3 main challenges facing home buyers, and what you can do about them! Low home inventory. As...
Top Features to Seek in Your Chicago Home
There’s a big difference between a home that needs some updating, and a home that has significant repair bills ahead. Here are some features to look for when buying a Chicago home!
How much time should your Chicago home search take?
First-time home buyers in Chicago and the Northwest suburbs might feel a little anxious about the home search process. After all, Chicago area home inventories are still lower than normal, and homes can sell quickly. But this doesn't mean you should jump at the first...
Chicago Neighborhoods Among Best for Home Buyers
Chicago home buyers have some of the best neighborhoods in the county to choose from, according to a recent article in Inman News, an industry trade publication. Inman pointed to a study by Redfin that outlined the "25 Neighborhoods that Have it All." Out of the...
Tax Reform Shouldn’t Discourage Chicago Home Buyers
If you're planning to buy your first home in Chicago or the Northwest suburbs this year, you might be concerned about Tax Reform and its effects on home ownership. The rules for claiming certain deductions have changed starting in tax year 2018. However, you might...