Viewing 1 - 3 out of 3 Blogs.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

1. Make a list of the activities—movies, health club, church—you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to engaging in your most common activities.

2. Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you're considering. Even if you don't have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.

3. Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?

4. Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don't necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

5. See if you'll make money. Ask a local REALTOR or call the local REALTOR association to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. A REALTOR or the government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood—like a new school or highway—that might affect value.

6. See for yourself. Once you've narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order


1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you'd like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.

2. Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt—car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards—down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.

3. Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You'll probably see some great ways to save.

4. Increase your income. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want.

5. Save for a downpayment. Although it's possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down—or even less in some cases—you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.

6. Create a house fund. Don't just plan on saving whatever's left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.

7. Keep your job. While you don't need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.

8. Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly.

Hey folks, Blaine Wimberly with Prudential C. Dan Joyner Co., Realtors here. Just stopping by to talk to you about the homes for sale in Anderson SC.

Did you know that right now is the ideal time for a buyer to be thinking about buying a home? That's right, I know you have been hearing all kinds of unsettling thing in the media about how the housing market is falling. This is true, but that is to your advantage. Think about it, the Anderson housing market is saturated with homes for sale!

What does that man for you?

Well, it means that prices are have dropped, and there are a lot more options to chose from. You do not have to settle for a home, you can have your pick of the litter.

With around 2,200 properties for sale in Anderson South Carolina (according to Realtor.com) you can pick and chose, and in most cases name your own price (with in reason).

If you wait much longer home prices are going to start to climb again and you will be stuck on the outside looking in on a good thing.

If you have ever thought of buying a home, yet you thought it was an unattainable dream, you need to come in and talk to me and my finance guy. We will do everything we can to put you into a home that fits your needs, wants, and budget.

Don't wait, these homes may not be on the market much longer with the dropping interest rates. You should act today if you really want to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!

So give me a call, all of my contact information is below. You can reach me 24 hours a day 7 days a week. My interest is to serve you!

Thank you for your time,
Blaine Wimberly
Prudential C. Dan Joyner Co.
2124 E. Greenville Street
Anderson SC 29626

864-356-3959 Cell
864-622-5244 Office
864-622-1218 Fax
864-224-3084 Home

By the way, I am never to busy for your referrals. So if you know of anyone that might be interested in purchasing a home in the Anderson or Surrounding areas, just have them give me a call.