All Blog Entries by Jenna Zamrik

Building a home might sound like something reserved for the rich and famous, but the truth is, it might be easier than you think to get a construction loan.

What is a construction loan?

Construction loans are short-term, higher-interest-rate mortgages that cover the cost of building or renovating a home. The buyer qualifies for the final mortgage and the lender pays the contractor for cost on a pre-approved schedule. Once the construction is complete, the loan is converted into a traditional home loan.

Type of Construction Loans

• Construction to Permanent – Converts to a permanent loan with the interest rate locked in at closing.

• Construction Only – Must be paid off when construction is complete, so the borrower will then need to get

A rental deposit against damage is a standard part of all housing rental agreements. The purpose of the security deposit is to protect the landlord from loss in the event the tenant does not take proper care of the property. Most renters don’t even think about it when they sign a new lease, assuming they will get their entire deposit back when they move out.

So, it often comes as a surprise when the refund amount is lower than they paid when they signed the agreement. Many renters are surprised to find out what the landlord can deduct from their deposit. Here are some common items that the landlord can charge to renters when they leave:

• Non-Payment of Rent – This should seem obvious; if the tenant leaves before the lease is up or simply owes

Recent interior design trends have focused on one primary era or design scheme. Mid-century modern furniture and accents have dominated the magazine covers and home shows as decorators have worked with their clients to bring this trend into their spaces.

Yet, what to do about the beautiful antique chest from your grandma or the dining room table you inherited from your mom? These pieces of history seem to have no place in modern design and have been relegated to storage units and garages over the past decade. Well, it’s time to pull them out again as design trends are moving away from stark modern schemes to a warm, eclectic look.

The main principle in merging design styles is to focus on one unifying element— like warm wood tones or the high

It used to be that couples first got married, and then bought a home together. No more! Modern couples no longer consider marriage a prerequisite for buying a home together. Buying a property together can complicate either a breakup or a divorce if not considered upfront.

No one likes to think about the end of a relationship, but buying a home is a huge investment – not only in the relationship but financially. The partners may have differences in income, down payment, and contributions to the home. In the event of a separation, how will these issues be addressed? In other words, what happens if you break up?

The easiest way to ensure that everyone is protected is the title. Most married couples opt for Joint Tenancy that provides each homeowner

It seems that everywhere you turn there are companies who advertise buying ugly houses. These messages offer to quickly buy any house, regardless of the condition. The problem is that their offers are often significantly below market value.

If you’re a seller whose home needs some attention, you might think these companies are your only option. Some of the offers sound attractive; quick sale, all cash, no commissions, and no fees. But before you do anything, it’s worth your time to call a local real estate agent for a second opinion.

3 Reasons to Call a Real Estate Agent Now

1. Free Advice – The real estate agent will not charge you anything to simply come look at your home.

2. Your House Might Not Be that Ugly – You may be surprised to

For the past several years, it seems every design magazine or home décor center featured barn doors. These doors offered a warm, rustic charm to the space and offered a focal point for the home. As time went by, however, many designers and homeowners realized that these doors also had a downside: they did not muffle sounds.

Barn doors hang on an upper track and slide to the left or right as needed. As many people raced to be a part of this classic farmhouse décor trend, they were dismayed to find that they lost privacy, soundproofing, and the functionality of a closed door.

So, is the trend over? The initial trend may have passed, but the use of barn doors has been reimagined. Barn doors now come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

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Room Update – Try Color-Blocking

Repainting a room is one of the easiest ways to freshen the décor while changing the feel of the room. The hottest design trend this year takes this to a whole new level. Color-blocking techniques are dominating magazines and social media with vivid color palettes and bold geometric patterns, turning the traditional painting project into something special.

Color-blocking takes many forms—everything from a simple way to differentiate one space from another by changing the wall shade, to artistic pairings that would feel at home in a modern art gallery. Your style most likely falls somewhere in between. The common theme is to try something new while changing the feel of the room.

Before you start your project,

Mid-Century Modern vs. Contemporary

There has been a great deal of excitement in the design field concerning the MidCentury Modern style. This ’50s and ’60s home décor trend is evidenced in every furniture store as more brands are incorporating the vintage look with modern lines. Yet what differentiates a Mid-Century Modern style from one that is merely Contemporary?

Both styles tend toward the minimalist look, but Mid-Century often features more color. Colorful carpets, walls, and furnishings—as well as vibrant wall trims and wallpaper—are all signs of a Mid-Century room while Contemporary styles lean toward neutral tone-on-tone elements with limited design extras, such as pillows or rugs.

Another common design element is the clean lines of

Understanding the Back-Up Offer

When can I consider my home sold? This is one of the most common questions real estate agents are asked. While the laws vary in different states, generally the contract is binding once both parties sign the offer. At that time the closing process begins. This is also the time when sellers must stop considering other offers, but they can accept back-up offers.

What is a back-up offer? This is when the seller accepts an offer contingent upon the first one falling through. There are many reasons why the home purchase might not close—the buyer may fail to secure the loan, the home inspection may find issues the two parties can’t resolve, it could even be that the Homeowner’s Association has rules that the buyer is

After Forbearance – Now What? 

Covid-19 has impacted homeowners across the country. With job losses and income reductions, many have taken advantage of the ability to enter a forbearance program with their lenders. During the forbearance program, the agreements state that no late fees will be assessed, and the balance of missed payments will be deferred to the end of the loan.

As a result, many homeowners have been able to keep their homes during this time of economic upheaval.

Some of these affected may now have stabilized incomes and are ready to exit forbearance. They might be wondering if they will be penalized for this if they choose to refinance or buy a new home. Fortunately, there is good news for these homeowners. Part of the program