Duffy is a lifelong resident of the Lakewood community with over 25 years of real estate experience. His expertise is in residential and agriculture buying and selling. Duffy has served on the Board of Directors for the Ionia County Board of Realtors and on committees for the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors. He received the 2007 Realtor of the Year Award from the Ionia County Board of Realtors.
ALS 5K Race in Baltimore. Running for cArLSon Team at the "Fiesta 5K" race in Baltimore, MD to benefit ALS research at Johns Hopkins. Every year, my family runs the race as a way to help raise money and celebrate life with our close family friend, Fred Carlson who has been diagnosed with this disease.
ALS 5K Race in Baltimore. Running for cArLSon Team at the "Fiesta 5K" race in Baltimore, MD to benefit ALS research at Johns Hopkins. Every year, my family runs the race as a way to help raise money and celebrate life with our close family friend, Fred Carlson who has been diagnosed with this disease.
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1. Tax breaks.
The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Appreciation.
Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value.
While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.
In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.
The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Appreciation.
Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value.
While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.
In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful.
As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.
1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with.
Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one.
It's critical that the REALTOR you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, just as there's no perfect time to sell.
If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer - you risk losing out on the home of your dreams.
As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.
1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with.
Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one.
It's critical that the REALTOR you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, just as there's no perfect time to sell.
If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer - you risk losing out on the home of your dreams.
1. Research before you look.
Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you'd be willing to spend each month for housing.
2. Be realistic.
It's OK to be picky, but don't be unrealistic with your expectations.
There's no such thing as a perfect home.
Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.
3. Get your finances in order.
Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs.
Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you'd be willing to spend each month for housing.
2. Be realistic.
It's OK to be picky, but don't be unrealistic with your expectations.
There's no such thing as a perfect home.
Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.
3. Get your finances in order.
Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs.
W-2 forms - or business tax return forms if you're self-employed - for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan.
Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts.
Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans.
Addresses where you've lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate.
Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.
Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts.
Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans.
Addresses where you've lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate.
Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.
1. Develop a household budget.
Instead of creating a budget of what you'd like to spend, use receipts to create a budget that reflects your actual spending habits over the last several months.
This approach will factor in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, as well as predictable costs such as rent, utility bills, and groceries.
2. Reduce your debt.
Lenders generally look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income.
This figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 and 28 percent of your net household income.
Instead of creating a budget of what you'd like to spend, use receipts to create a budget that reflects your actual spending habits over the last several months.
This approach will factor in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, as well as predictable costs such as rent, utility bills, and groceries.
2. Reduce your debt.
Lenders generally look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income.
This figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 and 28 percent of your net household income.
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