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Home buyers should try to work with a knowledgeable and trustworthy real estate agent from Buying a new home is an elaborate process. A real estate agent will guide new homebuyers through various aspects of the process, like obtaining loan preapproval, contacting sellers, and organizing the necessary paperwork. They know their area inside and out, and can contribute invaluable information on where to buy, new properties coming available, and negotiating with sellers. 

Determine Your Budget

You need to know how much you can realistically afford before jumping into a new home loan commitment. Check your yearly budget to see how much you can afford on a monthly payment for a 15- or 30-year loan. As First National Bank and Trust Company explains, there are advantages involved with each option, like payment size and duration, so do some thinking to determine which is best for you.

Get Pre-Approved

Once you have your down payment, start the preapproval process with loan companies to know what amount they are willing to lend you. When you are preapproved for a home loan, you can start looking at homes for sale that meet your price range. Preapproval for a home loan should precede touring houses to ensure you search within your price range.

Identify Priorities

Your home purchase will be at least partly determined by what type of business it will host. If you plan to do woodworking, for example, you’ll need a workshop and office area, but if you intend to write website content, you just need a home office. Caterers might need a commercial grade kitchen, while artists might require a room where they can get messy. 

Also consider how you work. Do you require interaction with your family, or do you prefer to work in seclusion? Will clients or delivery trucks come and go? Do they need their own powder room, parking and a waiting area? 

All these factors will weigh into your decision-making. You want to design a space that works both with your personal and professional lifestyle, so think through how it will function and how it will support your efforts on a daily basis.

Consider Security

The last thing you want is to set yourself, your family and your clientele up for trouble. As you move forward with your home-based business, a few types of security should weigh in the picture. 

The first is the most obvious: a home security system. This might be as simple as a smart doorbell, or it may include a professional monitoring system. Also think about things like your landscaping and whether it contributes to or interferes with your security; Total Landscape Care recommends things like avoiding hiding spots and adding some thorny shrubbery. Also follow basic data security measures, like firewalls and proper password use.

Lastly, consider establishing an LLC. This gives business owners the security of a corporate veil over their personal assets by setting them apart from company assets. Additionally, profits made through LLCs are taxed as personal income. This means LLC business owners avoid having to pay taxes twice on their income as is common for C corporations. Check your state regulations on LLC’s to get started.

Finding a home that suits your new business needs is highly rewarding, and it can contribute to a blossoming venture. If you are starting a home business and need a better space for work, having guidance will help to ease the process of home buying. Remember to connect with Century 21 Fisher & Associates to help find your dream home.

Information You Need

Nursing Homes in Florida

Florida is well-known as one of the top retirement destinations in the United States, and it has seven out of the 10 best places to retire in the United States.

President signs Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act

The bill hits the “reset” button back to pre-2012 levels and caps all increases going forward.

House to Vote on Flood Insurance Bill

The House is scheduled to vote up-or-down on an amended version of H.R. 3370, the Flood Insurance Affordability Act, during the first week of March. The original bill text has been stripped and replaced with language that considerably strengthens the bill.

Men, Women Lust Over Homes Differently

First impressions can make the difference between a quick sale and your home languishing on the market. It goes without saying that your house should be clean and de-cluttered before viewings.

Mortgage Tips for 2013

Don't wait to see if rates will drop lower. Rates are good, and if it makes sense to lock now, there's no reason to sit on the sidelines. The government shut-down won’t last forever, and when it ends, rates may go back up. Now is the time to act! Also, Single Women comprise the second largest segment of home buyers—find out what they’re seeking. And, fall is officially here—time to tackle those home chores that you’ve been putting off.

New Medicare 3.8% Tax

A new tax on some investment income took effect January 1, 2013. It will affect some real estate transactions. Learn whether you will be impacted.

7 Ways to Build Your Credit Score

If you want to enjoy the best mortgage rates, you need to build and maintain the highest credit score possible. Here are several ways how you can make sure you do just that. Do you know which home improvements are worth the cost and which will deliver the highest return on your investment?

Reasons You Should Hire A Real Estate Agent

There are times when doing it yourself is a smart decision. But buying or selling property without the services of a competent real estate professional can be complicated and unnecessarily stressful. Here are key reasons why you should engage a knowledgeable agent to help you through the process and ensure you get the best results. You’ve decided to save up to buy a home and now you’re seeking any lifestyle changes that will help you save more. Here are some small changes that can add up to big savings. It’s true—pennies do add up to dollars!

Changes That Can Change A Home

So you bought a new home, and now you need to do some improvements, but your budget is tight. Here are some expense-conscious DIYC projects that can make your home significantly more attractive and bring you some immediate gratification. Ways to protect your home and its contents while you’re away range from simple to high tech. Check out ways you can secure your home while you’re on vacation.

Tampa Real Estate Trends and Statistics

A significant shift occurred in the Tampa Bay real estate market in mid-2013. Sellers gained strength as housing inventories decreased and prices rose. Check out the trends that could affect your real estate decisions.

2013 NAR Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Survey Results

Thirty-three to forty-seven year olds comprise the largest group of recent home buyers according to the 2013 National Association of Realtors® Home Buyers and Seller Generational Trends Survey. Among all home buyers, the first step in the home buying process is looking online for properties for sale. Also, understanding basic mortgage Do’s and Don’ts can make a big difference in whether you can achieve your dream of home ownership.