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How to Navigate These Crazy Interest Rates by Scott Andrew Alpaugh

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How to Navigate the Current High Interest Rates When Buying a Home Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you can make in your life. However, it can also be a daunting and stressful process, especially when you have to deal with high interest rates. In this blog post, we will share some tips and strategies on how to navigate the current high interest rates when buying a home, and how to make the best decision for your situation. What are the current interest rates and why are they high? Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money from a lender, such as a bank or a mortgage company. They are expressed as a percentage of the loan amount, and they vary depending on various factors, such as the type of loan, the term of the loan, the credit score of the borrower, and the market conditions. According to the latest data from Freddie Mac, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the US was 4.13% as of November 2, 2023. This is the highest level...
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Do You Need A Yearly Termite Inspection? by Scott Andrew Alpaugh

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  Hi everyone, Scott Andrew Alpaugh here. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on my yearly termite inspection services, we just had ours last week and it set us back $170 so it got me thinking about whether or not I really need this expense! You might be wondering why you need such a service as well, and the answer is simple: termites are a serious threat to any wooden structure, and they can cause thousands of dollars in damage if left unchecked. I learned this the hard way a few years ago, when my Mom noticed some signs of termite activity on her window sills. She called a professional pest control company, and they confirmed her worst fears: She had a termite infestation. They told her that she needed to treat the entire house with chemicals, and that it would cost quite a sum. She was devastated. Luckily, they also told her about their yearly termite inspection service. For a reasonable fee, they would come to her house once a year and check for any signs of termite activity...
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How Important is A Home Inspection by Scott Andrew Alpaugh

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  Hi there, welcome to my blog! Today I want to talk about how important a home inspection is when you're buying or selling a house. A home inspection is a process where a trained professional examines the condition of a home and identifies any issues that may affect its value or safety. A home inspection can save you from buying a lemon, or help you sell your home faster and for more money. Why do you need a home inspection? If you're a buyer, a home inspection can help you avoid buying a house that has major defects, such as a bad foundation, a leaky roof, faulty wiring, or plumbing problems. These issues can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs or lower the resale value of your home. A home inspection can also give you leverage to negotiate with the seller for repairs or a lower price. If you're a seller, a home inspection can help you prepare your home for the market and avoid any surprises during the closing process. A home inspection can reveal any repairs that yo...
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How Much Home Can I Afford? by Scott Andrew Alpaugh

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  Hey, everyone! Welcome back to my blog, where I share tips and tricks on buying and selling homes and land.  I apologize for the long gap in articles but I've been working on building my youtube channel @time4ten maybe you can check it out if you want! Today, I'm going to talk about one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make: buying a house. How much house can you afford? How do you know if you're ready to take the plunge? How do you find the best deal for your money? These are some of the questions I'll try to answer in this post, so keep reading! First of all, let me say that buying a house is not for everyone. Some people prefer renting for various reasons, such as flexibility, convenience, or avoiding maintenance costs. And that's totally fine! There's no shame in renting if that's what works for you. But if you're like me and you dream of having your own place to call home, then you need to do some homework before you start brows...
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Should I Buy Or Wait For the Interest Rates to Come Down?

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 Hey, everyone! Welcome back to my blog, I am Scott Andrew Alpaugh and this is where I share my thoughts on all things related to home buying. Today, I want to talk about a topic that many of you have asked me about: buying a house now or waiting till interest rates go down.  I write about things that interest me and since I will be in the market soon, I like to research topics. As you probably know, interest rates have been rising steadily for the past year, making mortgages more expensive and less affordable for many buyers. At the same time, home prices have been sky-high, especially in hot markets like Greenville SC. So, is it worth buying a house now, or should you wait for a better opportunity? Well, there is no easy answer to this question, because it depends on a lot of factors, such as your financial situation, your goals, your preferences and your market conditions. But here are some things to consider before you make a decision. First of all, buying a house now mean...
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How to Buy a Home with Zero Money Down!

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  Hey there, welcome to my blog! Today I'm going to talk about something that might interest you if you're looking for a way to buy a home with no money down. That's right, I'm talking about USDA zero down loans. What are USDA zero down loans? USDA zero down loans are mortgages that are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). They are designed to help low- and moderate-income borrowers purchase homes in rural areas. The USDA guarantees the loan, which means that if you default on your payments, the USDA will pay the lender instead of you. This reduces the risk for the lender and allows them to offer you a loan with no down payment required. How to get a USDA zero down loan? To qualify for a USDA zero down loan, you need to meet some eligibility criteria. Here are some of the main ones: - You must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. - You must have a steady income that is within the income limits set by the USDA for...
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Everything you Need to Know About Buying Land

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  Thank you for visiting my blog! Article by Scott Andrew Alpaugh Buying land can be a great investment, but it can also be a daunting process. There are many factors to consider, such as location, zoning, utilities, taxes, and environmental issues. In this article, I will share some tips and advice on how to find and purchase the right land for your needs. First of all, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to do with the land. Do you want to build a house, a farm, a business, or something else? Different types of land have different regulations and restrictions, so you need to make sure that the land you buy is suitable for your intended use. For example, if you want to build a house, you need to check if the land is zoned for residential use, if it has access to water and electricity, and if it meets the minimum lot size requirements.  Of course you will need a perc test if you plan to put in a septic system. Secondly, you need to do your research on the land and ...
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