For Buyers

Thumbnail image for 4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

by LiveInWichita.com January 26, 2012

By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget. Here are six surefire ways you can get your finances in order before you buy a home. Homeownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home [...]

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Things not to do when buying a house

by Lynette April 26, 2011

Don’t make any major purchases that would create debt of any kind (cars, furniture, appliances). Even paying cash for a major purchase may create a problem with getting a loan, as  the lender may be using your cash reserves to help you qualify. Resist the urge to buy furniture or appliances even if you are [...]

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2010 Sedgwick County/Butler County Bond Money

by Lynette August 18, 2010

Bond money is back. The main difference between now and the last times that bond money was issued is that this time the bond money must be repaid.  This is still a good opportunity to get into a home for very little money down at a very low interest rate. Bond money qualifications: Buyers must [...]

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7 Tips for Improving Your Credit

by LiveInWichita.com June 25, 2010

Article From BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com By: G. M. Filisko Published: February 25, 2010 Here’s how to clean up your credit so you get the least-expensive home loan possible. Getting the loan that suits your situation at the best possible price and terms makes homebuying easier and more affordable. Here are seven ways to boost your credit score [...]

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$8000/$6500 Tax Credits Still Available for Active Military

by Lynette May 10, 2010

Men/Women in active military have a one year extension of the $8000 first time buyer tax credit and the $6500 tax credit for repeat buyers. If you were on active duty for 90 days or more, outside of the U.S., during the time period of 12/31/08 to 5/1/2010, then they you are eligible for this [...]

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Which Home Warranty Should You Choose?

by Lynette April 20, 2010

When you buy a home, you are often offered a home warranty. These warranties are usually a year long and usually cover plumbing, appliances and heating & air problems that could occur. I have listed several home warranty companies below. Each company offers a little different coverage, cost and deductible.  This is a chance to [...]

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Improving Your FICO® Credit Score

by LiveInWichita.com April 12, 2010

It’s important to note that raising your FICO® credit score is a bit like losing weight: It takes time and there is no quick fix. In fact, quick-fix efforts can backfire. The best advice is to manage credit responsibly over time. Payment History Tips • Pay your bills on time. Delinquent payments and collections can [...]

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Wichita, KS Most Affordable City According to ‘Today’ Show

by Lynette March 22, 2010

On this mornings episode of the ‘Today‘ show, Wichita, KS was rated the most affordable city to live in the USA. The study was done by real estate expert, Barbara Corcoran.  She looked at the following: cost of living average household income average home prices quality of life This is just one more reason to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Want to live in downtown Wichita? Open House & Tour THIS Sunday

Want to live in downtown Wichita? Open House & Tour THIS Sunday

by Lynette March 19, 2010

This is a great opportunity for those wanting to live in downtown Wichita. Wichita Downtown Development Corporation is sponsoring a Downtown Open House and Tour this Sunday, March 21st from 1-4pm. Be at their offices at 507 E Douglas to ride the Unified Party Bus to each location. This event is FREE and a great [...]

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Guaranteed Rural Development Loans are Ending

by LiveInWichita.com March 12, 2010

I received this message this morning from one of the Wichita mortgage lenders that I deal with on a regular basis. Rural Development loans are 100% loans for low-income families. These loans have income, purchase price and area limitations. These are the areas in and around Sedgwick County that usually qualify for a USDA Rural [...]

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FHA Changes Coming Soon, Apply Now

by LiveInWichita.com March 11, 2010

Those Who Wait Will Pay Thousands More This Spring Waiting a few extra days or weeks to purchase a home this spring could cost buyers thousands of extra dollars as the office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implements several changes for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Coming just weeks before the [...]

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Wichita Housing Market is Looking Good

by Lynette March 6, 2010

Wichita State University’s Center for Real Estate released their 2010 Kansas Housing Market Forecast yesterday. Here are the highlights: employment will continue to go down through the first quarter of 2010, then will recover slowly the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts that interest rates will continue to be low through 2011 by then end of 2011, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Advantages of a Buyer’s Agency Agreement

Advantages of a Buyer’s Agency Agreement

by LiveInWichita.com January 4, 2010

YOUR INTERESTS ARE PROFESSIONALLY REPRESENTED Enlisting the services of a professional Buyer’s Agent is similar to using an accountant to help you with your taxes, a doctor to help you with your health care, or a mechanic to help you with your car. If you had the time to devote to learning everything about accounting, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Home Sales in Wichita Are Up, Tax Credit to Thank

Home Sales in Wichita Are Up, Tax Credit to Thank

by Lynette November 12, 2009

There was good news for the Wichita real estate market today. According to the Wichita Business Journal, home sales in October increased by 2 percent over sales from October 2008. Many Realtors give credit to the increase in home sales to the $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers. The report, from the Wichita Area [...]

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