Paul McCabe Real Estate

11/22/2023

Empowering users to create customized, branded video content.

11/11/2023

07/22/2021

Are you a pet owner cramped up in a small space in the city? There are a lot of 1/2 acre+ homes in the burbs waiting for you. Can you imagine a huge backyard?? Beautiful woods and walking trails? Do yourself and your "best friend" a favor and make the move! You won't regret it!

I'm here for you 24/7

07/20/2021

Find out why Athens is on TIME’s 2021 list of the World's Greatest Places

07/20/2021

The housing shortfall is driving up prices throughout Chicagoland. If you've been "on the fence" about selling, now is the time to pull the trigger. It's unlikely prices will continue to rise. Ready to move? I know of some great buyers looking for homes to buy. It's not too late to make the move. Let me know if I can help you in any way!

06/17/2021

Now is the time to sell and buy! 8 out of 10 homes sell at or above their listing price! Call me for a free evaluation on your home.

https://magazine.realtor/.../more-than-8-of-10-homes-sold...

10/14/2020

Looking at investment properties? Here's some good advice you need prior to purchasing!

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/house-hacking-2-36818232

The idea of homeownership might conjure images of a single-family house with a white picket fence. But the kind of home you purchase—and the way you go about purchasing it—doesn’t have to be so traditional. And if the age-old strategy of spending years saving up for a down payment feels daunti...

10/06/2020

Be A Smart Negotiator

You found the home you love and are ready to make an offer. Here is where having the right agent becomes very important. Rely on your real estate agent to guide you in the negotiation process.

Your first offer should leave room to negotiate.

Determine upfront where you will start and where you want to end (after any counter offers.)

As you write your offer, consider the following:

Prices of similar homes in the area/block.

Condition of the property - upgrades made and work that is needed.

How motivated is the seller?

Home buyers...are you ready to make an offer?

Your offer will include:

Down payment.

Details about your financing; note that you have preapproval
and spell out who pays what closing costs.

Determine what inspections will be conducted.

Disclosure of defects by seller; repairs that will be made.

Timetable for purchase; date of possession.

Contingencies/cancel clauses to protect buyer and seller.

Guarantees on the condition of the property at time of sale
date for the closing.

If your initial offer is turned down, you will probably make a counter offer. It's important to follow your agent's advice and counsel. Be sure all counter offers are in writing. And if your offer is just going nowhere after several rounds, the wisest course may to walk away and look for a new property.

If you are interested in buying or selling your home, Please message or call me. I'd love to work with you.

Best,

Paul

10/05/2020

More Home Buying Advice:

Get Preapproved Before You House Shop!

Many homebuyers don't understand the difference between prequalified and preapproved . That difference can cost you the home of your dreams if you can't get the loan when you make the offer.

Prequalification helps determine "how much house" you are able to afford, but it does not guarantee you a specific loan amount. You can prequalify yourself, before you even go to a lender. (See details below)

Preapproval is a thorough examination of your finances and credit by the lender. At the end of this process, you can obtain a commitment letter that guarantees you an actual loan amount or an amount for a monthly payment.

Conduct your own prequalification and you will be better prepared to be preapproved by a lender. Here's how:

Determine your total gross monthly income, including all salaries, tips, dividends, interest payments and bonuses earned in your household

Figure out your total fixed monthly debts, including any car payments, other loans you are paying, time payments, insurance payments, regular savings ( such as for college), alimony and child support.
Now, plug in the percentages that lenders will use. The formulas will vary, But a common one you can use is 28/36.

Multiply your gross monthly income by 28%. That figure is roughly the amount that lenders will say you can afford for a monthly home payment (including taxes and insurance.

Multiply your gross monthly income by 36%. That figure is the maximum that lenders will say you can afford to spend on debts, other than your mortgage.

Finally, subtract your actual monthly debt from the maximum debt figure. That will give you a figure that is a closer estimate of the monthly amount a lender will say you can afford for a home payment.

As always, I'm here to help from start to finish with your home buying needs!