Blog Posts - Gulf Shores Real Estate - Orange Beach Homes For Sale

Mortgages: Shopping for the Best Rates

February 4, 2012 by Malcolm Bond

All those “record-low” mortgage rates have you watering at the mouth to buy a home or refinance your current one? Mortgage lenders adjust their rates based on perceptions of risk, so unless you can show you’re a low-risk borrower, you are unlikely to qualify for a rate that matches those seen in all the advertisements […]

The True Cost of Owning a Pet

February 3, 2012 by Malcolm Bond

Thinking of getting a pet in the new year? Here are three things to consider when budgeting for a pet. 1. Routine Vet Care2. Emergency Care3. Optional Costs Questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you. Just click the comment link below. Your email address will never be shared on this site, even though […]

Pay Off Debt by Snowballing

February 2, 2012 by Malcolm Bond

Did you resolve to get in better shape financially this year? One way to do it is to shed some of that unsightly debt by a method called “snowballing”. Here’s how it works… Questions or comments about paying down debt? Just click the comment link below and sound off. Your email address will NEVER be […]

Real Estate News – February 2012

February 1, 2012 by Malcolm Bond

In this Issue:* Home Inspections: Deal Breakers or Makers? Could Your Shaky Personal Finances Get You Fired? Home Prices Fall More Than Expected (Your comments are welcome at the bottom of our newsletter) Home Inspections: Deal Breakers or Makers? A home inspection is simply a visual examination of a house’s overall condition. The home inspection […]

Rise in Home Sales Signals Strengthening Market

January 31, 2012 by Malcolm Bond

The long-awaited housing recovery is beginning to blossom, according to industry experts taking a look at recent existing-home sales. Paul Dales, chief economist at Capital Economics, says “it is clear that a housing recovery is now well underway.” Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), concurs with Dales’ assessment, saying “The […]

Checking Your Credit Report and Scores

January 30, 2012 by Malcolm Bond

Even if you’re not thinking about applying for a loan or credit card in the near future, it’s always a good idea to look at your credit report and scores. You should check your personal credit report and score at least twice a year to make sure that all of your personal information is accurate. […]