Michelle Forsyth with Keller Williams Advantage III

03/31/2023

03/18/2022

If you’re starting to prepare for buying a home, there are several things you should do to make it as seamless of a process as possible.

But I’m not going to talk about those things today. Instead, I’m going to talk about three major things that you should NOT do if you’re planning on buying a home.



🔸 Don’t leave or change your job: lenders like certainty — their biggest concern is getting their money back, so they’re looking for applicants who have had a steady job at the same company for a few years. If you’re planning a career change, try to delay it until after you’ve closed on your new home.

🔸 Do not make any large purchases: doing so might lower your credit score and also increase your debt-to-income ratio, which is generally the deciding factor in how big of a loan you can qualify for.

🔸 Don’t open or close any lines of credit: this can also impact your credit score, and again, lenders like certainty and will assess the risk for each loan applicant; so you’ll want to make sure you’re in good standing financially.

Have questions? DM me!

03/16/2022

Spring is almost here…..That means buyers are out in force looking for their dream home. Let’s look at what that means for the Housing Market! DM me for the information! 🏡

03/09/2022

If you have plans to sell your home this year, this is for you 👇

While any time is essentially a good time to sell if the market is in your favor, March and April are statistically the best months of the year to sell your home.

Homes listed in the spring sell for the highest prices and go under contract faster than homes listed at other times of the year. This is because buyers tend to house-hunt in the spring more than any other season.

Statistics & data aside…. I always advise my clients that the best time of the year to sell your home is the time that makes the most sense for you and your family!

03/08/2022

The numbers speak for themselves! Staging your home before selling it makes a huge difference!

Consider this:

🔸 For every $100 that goes into staging, you get a $400 return on investment.
🔸 Staging allows the buyer to get a sense of the space while also having the opportunity to visualize the house’s potential.

If you prefer your home staged to sell, reach out and I can get you in touch with a recommended staging company!

03/04/2022

Thinking about taking the plunge into homeownership for the first time? First of all, congrats! What an exciting journey you’re on. Expect to feel a greater sense of security, financial freedom, privacy and accomplishment! 😁😁 But don’t forget, purchasing a home is a BIG commitment. So today, I’m talking about the First Time Expenses you can expect so you don’t spend any more than you can afford. 💸💸

When budgeting for your first home, here are seven often overlooked costs that can have a big impact on your bottom line:

✔️Closing Costs
✔️Down Payment
✔️Earnest money
✔️Property Taxes
✔️Insurance
✔️Appliances
✔️Furnishing
✔️Maintenance



Have any questions? Let me know in the comments below. 👇👇

02/24/2022

Some of the biggest misconceptions I hear as a Realtor are related to down payments. 😵‍💫

So today I’m your Mythbuster. 😁

Helping you set the record straight by debunking these myths once and for all.💪💪

⛔ Myth #1: You need a 20% down payment.
✔️Reality: Sure it’s ideal if you wanna get off the hook in paying private mortgage insurance also known as PMI. But there are other options, For qualifying buyers, lenders can offer options with 10% or 5% down if you’re willing to pay the monthly PMI cost. 👌

⛔ Myth #2: If you owe a lot of student loan debt, there is no way you can get a mortgage.
✔️Reality: Having a lot of student loan debt doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage. The key factor is not necessarily the size of your loan, but the amount of your total monthly debt payments compared to your monthly income. This is called DTI. 🧑‍🎓

⛔ Myth #3: If your credit score is low, you should not even try to get a mortgage.
✔️ Reality: Millions of potential buyers assume they will not be approved for a mortgage even though many could qualify on the basis of their credit score. That’s not always the case.

It’s best to discuss your current financial situation with an experienced Lender who can help establish a strategy to repair or strengthen your credit score before applying for a loan. 💸💸 The bottom line? Strategy! 📈📈 Explore your home financing options early, and start building a personal team of experts on your side. 🧔👩‍🦳👨‍🙋

Housing agencies, real estate agents, and participating lenders can provide a wealth of knowledge to get you one step closer on your path to owning the house of your dreams.🏠🏠

DM me to learn more!

02/17/2022

As a first-time homebuyer, you probably have a lot of questions circling your mind. So, let’s get them answered!

Here are some top questions (and answers!) first-time buyers typically ask:

✅ How do I know if it’s time to buy instead of rent?
If you know where you want to live, have a steady and secure income, and are ready for the responsibilities of homeownership, then it’s a great time to invest in property.

✅ What does the lender need from me to give me a loan?
Usually, you are asked to provide your last two tax returns to show proof of income. You should also provide recent bank and credit card statements and proof of your current pay rate. You will also be asked for your social security number so they can run a credit check.

✅ How do I know if I qualify for a loan and how much I can afford?
Contact a mortgage lender to get pre-approval for a loan. The lender will ask you some basic questions about your income and debts and can tell you what amount you can be approved for, and how much your mortgage payments will be. Ask me for my lender recommendations!

✅ How much do I need to save up for a down payment?
A conventional loan down payment is usually 20% of the sales price, but other types of financing require as little as 3.5% to 15%. A mortgage lender can tell you what types of loans you qualify for.

These are all questions that are important and can vary greatly. However, rest assured the first step to answering all of these questions and more is by contacting me today so we can put away some of those concerns and finally set your mind at ease. 😌

02/14/2022

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Remember a Realtor is not a salesperson. They’re a matchmaker… They introduce people to homes until finally, they fall in love with that special one. 💖💖💖

02/12/2022

Yappy Hour time! Here with my foster, Brady! Lil Rascals Dog Rescue

02/11/2022

Time for ! This week’s posts highlights Bella and Cowboy from Lil Rascals Dog Rescue!

Our adorable mother-and-son bonded pair, Bella and Cowboy, are still looking for their forever home!

These cuties are two peas in a pod. Beautiful Bella (darker fur) is about 12 lbs and 9 years old, but you’d never guess her age by her agility! She loves playing with her toys and stuffed animals. Bella is a super sweet lap girl— super friendly, and loves everyone and everything! Bella has a mohawk that gives her face the cutest look. Bella does have a minor enlarged heart and will need to stay on monthly medication for that, although the medicine is inexpensive.

Cutie Cowboy is a pint sized rodeo at 10 lbs and about 4 years old! He’s shy at first, but once he trusts you, he’s all-out happy and silly! He knows that if he snuggles and hugs you, he will melt your heart and you will never let him go. His favorite thing in the world is being held and loved. He just needs you to give him a little time to realize you are his friend, and then he doesn't want to leave your side. He gets along great with his fur siblings and doesn’t mind sharing his food.

Bella and Cowboy are two sweet, loving lap dogs that are the best of friends and must stay together. They should be the only dogs in their forever home, because Bella does not get along well with dogs other than Cowboy. They also need a secure fenced yard. Cowboy is working on potty training, but if he has access often to the outdoors, he will use that. Cowboy walks well on a leash. If you live in the central Florida (Orlando) area and think you have the perfect forever home for Cowboy and Bella, apply today at lilrascalsrescue.org/adopt!