At Homeland Realty Group, we believe that finding the perfect home is about more than just property listings; it's about discovering a place that fits your lifestyle, dreams, and future. Our blog is dedicated to providing expert insights on the local real estate market, tips for homebuyers and sellers, and the latest trends in home design and investment strategies. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, our goal is to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and rewarding real estate experience.

Stay tuned for valuable resources, community highlights, and personalized advice from our team of real estate professionals who are passionate about helping you find the perfect place to call home.

Jan. 31, 2024

7 Ways to Save Money on Home Insurance

7 Ways to Save Money on Home Insurance

Home insurance is critical for homeowners. It protects you from unexpected damage due to fire, wind, flood, and more. Unfortunately, the cost of these policies can be very expensive and over the past few years, some premiums have doubled or even tripled as more natural disasters hit the country. Fortunately, there are a few ideas on how to save money on premiums. Here are 7 possible ideas to save money on your home insurance.

1. Bundle Policies – The easiest way to save money is to use the same company for both auto and home. Most companies offer significant discounts for doing all your business with them.

2. Increase Deductibles – Raising your deductible on all policies, even just a little can save money overall. Consider how much you are able to spend before relying on insurance and see how much you can save.

3. Home Security Systems – Most companies offer a nice discount for home security, plus you have the added benefit of greater safety for you and your family.

4. Good Credit – A higher credit score will likely give you a lower premium. Be sure to ask your insurance company to review your score at each renewal period.

5. Review Coverage – Do you have health insurance at work? Then maybe you don’t need medical coverage through your auto policy? Review your policies and make sure you need everything you’re paying for and always seek the advice of your insurance agent.

6. Claim Free – Insurance is there to use, but you may not want to use it for everything. If you have a $1000 deductible, for instance, it does not make sense to submit a claim for damage that totals $1150. Staying claim-free saves money.

Finally, shop around. At each renewal period, take the time to compare leading companies and make changes when necessary. Switching companies is very easy and can save you hundreds of dollars. Consult with your insurance agent to find out if any of these ideas might work for you.

Posted in Home Tips
Jan. 25, 2024

New Home Loan Limits Announced for 2024

    As home prices continue to rise, consumers are getting a break from the Federal Housing Administration who regulates the loan limits for conforming and government guaranteed loan programs. Home loans are categorized into government guaranteed, conforming, and jumbo lending products. As the name suggests, jumbo loans are larger loan amounts for more expensive properties and multi-unit dwellings. These larger loans will have higher interest rates and require larger down payments due to the risk associated with the loan. So, being able to utilize government conforming loans can save homebuyers thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. According to NAR, starting in 2024, the new conforming loan limit will increase to $766,550; an increase of $40.350. The new maximum loan value for FHA will increase to $498,257, which is an increase of $60,000. These baseline values are guaranteed by the federal government and designed to give homebuyers more choice and buying power to compensate for the higher home prices. It’s good to note also that in more expensive areas, the conforming loan limit is even higher. For example, in California, New York, District of Columbia, and Hawaii the conforming loan limit will be $1,149,825. Government guaranteed loans offer strong value to homebuyers. Not only are they easier to qualify for, but they also require lower down payments and lower interest rates than jumbo or non-conforming loans. As home values continue to rise, the increase in loan limits will allow homebuyers to find an affordable home and payment.

Posted in Buying
July 31, 2017

Curious About Local Real Estate?

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Curious about local real estate? So are we! Every month we review trends in our real estate market and consider the number of homes on the market in each price tier, the amount of time particular homes have been listed for sale, specific neighborhood trends, the median price and square footage of each home sold and so much more. We’d love to invite you to do the same!

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You can sign up here to receive your own market report, delivered as often as you like! It contains current information on pending, active and just sold properties so you can see actual homes in your neighborhood. You can review your area on a larger scale, as well, by refining your search to include properties across the city or county. As you notice price and size trends, please contact us for clarification or to have any questions answered.

We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.

Posted in Market Updates