APM BLOG

There are so many options out there that promise to help you build wealth. High-interest rate savings accounts can make a few drops in the bucket, but not many. The stock market is certainly a vehicle for making money, but you have to know what you’re doing, what you’re buying, and when to get out. Retirement accounts can be a great way to accrue money over time, but 65 is a long way off for some people. Then there are cryptocurrencies. A year ago, it seemed the sky was the limit for these virtual coins. This year, it’s a whole different story.

It’s the age-old question: when is it a good time to buy a home? The problem with that question is it has no right answer. You can have the most favorable market conditions in the world—low listing prices because it’s a buyer’s market, low interest rates, loose qualification standards—but if you’re not in the right position to buy, it’s still not a good time to buy a home. 

You’ve just bought a home. Congrats! Now, you may wake up every morning feeling exactly as you did when you were renting. After all, aside from a new home and possibly a new neighborhood, not much has changed in your day-to-day life. 

While this may be true of your daily routine, your first year as a homeowner comes with some subtle differences compared to renting. For one, you’ve locked in your housing costs—and your residence—for as long as you want. There is also the peace of mind that comes with knowing that this property is yours. 

In today’s competitive housing market, there’s a good chance that your offer won’t be the only one a seller is entertaining. It’s not uncommon to hear sellers have more than 10 offers for one property . . . or that some buyers have put in offers on more than 20 homes, just to lose out time and time again.

In a market like this, it’s not enough to simply have your ducks in a row and walk in with a pre-approval. A market like this takes work if you want to win a bidding war. 

Like any other item for sale, the value of a home can be viewed two ways: the price you pay for a home, which can be the list price—or a higher or lower price depending on demand (in a hot market, the price may be above the asking price, while in a cooler market it might be below), and there’s the home’s appraised value. This is the price determined by a licensed professional home appraiser who will take many factors into consideration, including the home’s features, condition, improvements, location, and market trends. 

July 4—also known as Independence Day in the U.S.—celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  

You may have known that much, but there is so much more behind this beloved summer holiday, so let’s dive right in!

Do you want to achieve the dream of homeownership but dread the looming down payment you’ll need? Figuring out how to come up with a down payment for a house can seem like a huge hurdle, especially for those with little to no savings.

Believe it or not, there are many, many people who want to see you in the home of your dreams. We know that dream doesn’t always seem attainable. Money can be tight, and a down payment is just one more thing you have to save for.

Interest rates are still attractive, and inventory is creeping up, which means now is a great time to jump into the housing market! Here’s the thing, though. While “Zillowing” has become one of America’s favorite pastimes, actually buying a home isn’t as simple as jumping into the market. Unless you’re a cash buyer. In which case, bravo to you! 

Low interest rates, even lower housing inventory, and tons of competition. That’s today’s housing market in many areas around the country, and that can be frustrating for buyers.

Having been in business for over 25 years and witnessed many real estate cycles, we know how you feel. That’s why APM has focused all its energy on making sure you are in the best possible position to have your offer accepted.

That’s why we developed our Keys on Time™ program. Here’s how it works: You get your loan approved before you shop for a home. That’s right. We will give you full approval of your financing before you ever find a home . . . this is not your average pre-approval!  Once approved, you go shop for your home, secure in the knowledge that your financing is in place. 

It’s a competitive market out there, but did you know there are things you can do to increase the chances your offer will be accepted? We’re not talking about the standard strategies like improving your credit, paying off debt, applying for pre-approval.

We’re talking about programs like APM’s Keys on Time™ (KOT).

The flowers are popping, the rabbits are hopping, and that dark winter sky is in the rearview mirror. That can only mean one thing: spring is finally here!

Your kids may feel more cooped up than usual this year thanks to the pandemic, homeschooling, and a series of winter storms throughout much of the U.S. So dust off your outdoor clothes and head into the sunshine—we’re about to make up for that lost time.

Qualifying for a mortgage when you’re self-employed doesn’t have to be a pain. It all comes down to organization. Whether you’re self-employed, commission-based, or a full-time or hourly employee, lenders are all looking for the same thing when you apply for a mortgage: they want to be sure there is a high likelihood you will be able to pay.

Being self-employed can be amazing! To many it sounds wonderful—you get to be your own boss, set your own hours, and work from anywhere! As many who are self-employed know, it’s not as simple as that (long days, making payroll, and no steady paycheck). There are many perks to entrepreneurship, including that invigorating feeling of creating a business, but some people worry that this path will make it difficult to qualify for big-ticket purchases like a home.  

You may be aware that the mortgage application process differs slightly depending on your type of employment. It’s not that mortgage companies favor a W-2 employee over the self-employed or a full-time employee over someone whose job is commission-based. It simply boils down to differences in verifying employment, income, and job stability.

We’ve all been spending a lot of time at home, but what happens when the home you love no longer meets all your needs? You may feel trapped in the home you have, but that’s not really the case. You do have a few options to consider.

An accessory dwelling unit, or “ADU,” is a fancy phrase for a smaller stand-alone space on your property. They’re oftentimes referred to as guest houses, granny flats, or even pool houses. These modest spaces are functional, livable, and super convenient if you need more room but don’t feel like packing up and moving into a new home entirely.

The reasons to build an accessory dwelling unit are almost as diverse as the units themselves. Maybe your home feels cramped now that you’re trying to work from home while your kids are homeschooling. Maybe you have parents or in-laws who are at that stage where they need a little help but aren’t ready (or you’re not ready) for an assisted facility. The same can be true of college students or adult children who need to save money or perhaps have encountered some career or financial obstacles.

Everyone under one roof. The notion is becoming more and more common nowadays, especially during the pandemic. You have college students who no longer need to live on campus due to remote learning, adult children who are trying to save money, and aging parents who may need assistance but are not comfortable in a nursing home environment right now.

There are many benefits of living in a multigenerational home, not the least of which is the quality time you have with family members that you would otherwise miss out on. This has become particularly relevant during the pandemic, as social distancing and restrictions often prevent loved ones from not only gathering on a regular basis but also on family-focused holidays. This scenario is even more heartbreaking for elderly relatives, especially those in nursing homes whose compromised immune systems mean visitors are often not allowed.