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STRENGTH. SERVICE. STABILITY. In today’s everchanging mortgage environment, SWBC Mortgage Corporation strives to be a guiding force to help clients through the complicated mortgage process with knowledgeable, caring staff that appreciate the stress than comes with a homepurchase — a big financial investment and move. SWBC Mortgage offers lending programs such as VA, TXVet, FHA, USDA/Rural Development, and Conventional Conforming loans. So, if you’re ready to begin the homebuying journey, it’s good to know the seven most important steps so you can be better prepared to purchase your home.
1) PRE-APPROVAL FOR A MORTGAGE. It is important to understand how much home you can comfortably afford. Your loan team will review your financial situation to help strengthen your buying power.
2) FIND YOUR DREAM HOME. Once pre-approved, you can then work with a real estate agent to find your dream home. Your agent will then help you negotiate and execute a purchase agreement.
3) APPLY FOR YOUR MORTGAGE. You can apply online in minutes using SWBC Mortgage’s TurnKey® application, a simple and secure process that will guide you through this process. Once you begin your application, TurnKey will securely save your information, and you can then complete theprocess at any time.
4) LOAN PROCESSING. After your home is under contract, your mortgage provider orders an appraisal, then your application will be managed by a loan
processor. They will help you determine what supporting documentation will beneeded to help you qualify for your new home loan.
5) LOAN UNDERWRITING. During this stage, an underwriter will review all of your documents, including the appraisal report, then provide an approval decision. The underwriter will also indicate any additional conditions that may be necessary for you to get loan approval.
6) PRE-CLOSING. Before your lender can close on a home loan, they will ensure all underwriting conditions have been met, then finalize all loan requirements. By this time, you will know the exact amount of funds you’ll need to provide. Your lender will also inform you of the date and time for your closing, usually scheduled with the title company.
7) CLOSING. After you have reviewed the final numbers in your Closing Disclosure, you’ll execute and sign all of your loan documents. Congratulations, homeowner! This is the last step to finding the happiest way to your new home!
ABOUT SWBC MORTGAGE. A full-service mortgage lender headquartered in San Antonio since 1988, SWBC Mortgage opened its Killeen branch in 2009. Leslie Lovett and Jimmy Alexander, both Branch Co-Managers, who have over 50 years in combined mortgage lending experience, serve the residents of the Killeen, Temple, and Belton communities. SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741, check licensing at www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Loans subject to credit and property approval, restrictions and conditions may apply. Not all loan programs or loan amounts available in all areas. Programs and guidelines subject to change without notice. Corporate office: 9311 San Pedro Ave., Ste. 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. © 2022 SWBC. All rights reserved.
Suppose you are fortunate enough to be moving to Central Texas for the first time. As with moving to any new area, you may be depending on friends, relatives, work relationships, or social media to make some of the significant connections you will be needing.
1. Choosing a family practice physician to care for your family is near the top of the list; you need that go-to person when a family member’s health is in question.
2. Making the right choice for an attorney to review all the paperwork you will be signing to ensure it says what you think is very important.
3. Unless you are renting, you will also be purchasing a place to live. It may be your first home which can be overwhelming with all the unfamiliar activity surrounding a real estate transaction.
Having the home inspected can remove some of that anxiety by providing advice about whether you made the proper selection. The home inspection can be compared to giving the house a physical. Just as seeing a doctor, the best advice comes from a veteran home inspector that may have the knowledge & experience of thousands of inspections over many years to draw upon in providing your report.
Home inspecting is a full-time profession. The practitioner’s experience can be all that separates you from being a champion to the family for finding an incredible home to live in or the alternative of living a nightmare with costly repairs and sleepless nights wondering what happened.
Whether it’s a physician, attorney, or home inspector, the biggest challenge in selecting an experienced professional is TIME; or the lack of it. You need the physician today or the home inspector tomorrow.
If you wait until you need one to start looking, you’re already behind the power curve; you are pressured to take the first one available, which may not be the best choice for your needs. So start now, or the day you decide to purchase a home. Also, know what you need to ask. Remember, you are interviewing the home inspector; you are the employer; the home inspectors are the employee.
#1 mistake, price matching professional services. It works for comparing identical products like TVs & trucks, but not doctors, attorneys, and home inspectors’ experience & knowledge.
FYI: All inspectors in Texas are licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission and mandated to have E & O insurance.
Skills & knowledge interview questions:
• How long have you been licensed as a home inspector?
• How many inspections do you average per year? (knowing quantity is not everything but does add to the experience base.)
• Are you licensed or certified in other advanced specialties used to enhance inspections?
• Are you a full-time inspector? (should be yes, would you use a part-time doctor?)
• How long does it take you to inspect the average size home? (Average 3 hrs, less than 2 hrs-red flags)
• What is the average time to deliver the report? (Texas requires within 2 days from inspection/payment)
• Do you use any specialized equipment such as Infrared Imaging, moisture meters, electrical analyzer, gas detectors?
Established in 1978, Rinehart Real Estate Inspection Service performs over 3000 home & building inspections annually with three support staff and eight full-time inspectors holding over 85 licensures and certifications, including backflow certifications, new construction, commercial & residential building inspections. We also provide advanced inspection services, including TDA WDI Termite inspections, TDLR accessibility, VA & FHA compliance, energy audits, blower door & duct performance testing.
(Family Features) Designers from coast to coast are cooking up fresh ideas for kitchen upgrades. This year’s hottest trends bring numerous fresh aesthetic approaches while functionality also plays a leading role in top design ideas.
If you are planning a kitchen upgrade, take inspiration from these on-trend elements spotted by the design experts at Wellborn Cabinet:
In recent years, backsplash tile has taken a more prominent role in kitchen design and has continued to grow in popularity to the point where tile is now a full-stop focal point. From eye-catching colors and patterns to texture that brings new dimension, kitchen tile can make a big statement. In fact, bold tile is not just limited to the backsplash. Patterned tile is an ontrend option for adding character to your flooring and dressing up commonly under-designed spaces like the window jamb with a practical material, like tile, that is easy to clean and maintain.
Function is front and center in residential kitchen design this year, and homeowners’ growing demands to go big on appliances is proof. From double ovens to extra dishwashers, homeowners are committing to more useful features. There are even some kitchens that boast two refrigerators, which may be a nod to the way grocery shopping habits shifted during the pandemic, with fewer, but larger, trips to the store.
Whether you are capitalizing on the mystique of a “hidden” room or attracted to the idea of a more
seamless aesthetic, a walk-through pantry can be a stunning and functional solution. With a walk-through pantry, you can add extra space to an existing pantry to create a better flow to your floor plan. Available in a variety of widths and heights, Wellborn Cabinet’s Walk-Through Pantry blends naturally into the rest of your cabinetry to create visual continuity. Integrated magnetic door catches add stability and keep doorways securely closed.
After years of painted cabinets and woodwork dominating kitchen design, wood grain finishes are making a comeback. The look is cozy and inviting, and with a wide span of stain options, it is equally possible to take the look ultra-modern or veer toward a more traditional style. Outside of cabinetry, there is plenty of room to incorporate the warmth of wood, such as butcher-block counters or exposed beams.
Jewel-inspired hues had their moment, but this season’s color scheme is more about subtle shades that meld with neutrals for lighter, brighter spaces that feel airier and more spacious. Greens, in particular, pair well with an array of wood finishes, whether cabinetry, countertops or furnishings. Integrating greens, blues and other nature-inspired colors allows you to bring earthy serenity to a bustling and busy room, and this motif lends itself well to a design that creates a cohesive connection with adjacent outdoor living space.
The kitchen is a busy place prone to clutter, and this season you will find multiple examples of practical
solutions showing up in showcase kitchens. The features that can make your kitchen chores easier and neater come in all shapes and sizes. For example, discreet knife blocks tucked into drawers, drawer dividers for maximum customization and sliders that make it easy to empty the trash and recycling bins.
Marble is not necessarily a new trend, but this year’s attention is on slabs of marble with eye-catching veins that make counters really pop. For a fresh take on marble, forgo the typical white, gray or black styles in favor of color. Standout gold veining or even full slabs with stunning greens, blues and reds can make a statement. If budget is an issue, or you are worried about too much of a good thing, consider using a bold slab on a smaller space, like the island, rather than outfitting the entire kitchen.
Find more on-trend ideas to upgrade your kitchen at Wellborn.com.
(StatePoint) Your home is likely your most valuable asset, and you want to make sure you protect it with the right insurance. Did you know the cost to replace your home could be much more than it cost to build— and you could be on the hook for the difference?
Whether it would cost more to replace because you’ve made major upgrades that increased the value of your home or simply because the price of building materials and labor has increased, you’ll need to come up with the additional funds or find ways to reduce costs. That’s why guaranteed replacement cost coverage, offered by insurers like Erie Insurance, is so important. If you experience a total loss of your home, this coverage allows you to rebuild it back to its previous size and specifications at today’s cost, subject to certain conditions.
To give you a better idea of the importance of insurance coverage that helps you protect the investments you make, consider the top three remodeling projects for the interior and exterior offering the best return on investment:
1. REFINISHING HARDWOOD FLOORS.
The main reasons consumers are refinishing hardwood floors is to upgrade worn-out surfaces and to improve livability, according to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of REALTORS Research Group. At 147%, it also tops the list for the number one interior project for what homeowners can recover on the cost of the project if they sell the home, based on estimates from NARI Remodelers and REALTORS.
2. INSTALLING NEW WOOD FLOORING .
The average cost recovered for this project is 118%. Surprisingly though, it was the number one feature homeowners surveyed by Erie Insurance said they got when they bought their home but wouldn’t choose again. When asked why, reasons ranged from feeling the feature was not worth the money, to being tired of it or feeling the feature is outdated now.
3. INSULATION UPGRADE. This is a popular project if you’re looking to improve energy efficiency, and at 100%, it has a high cost recovery value.
1. ROOFING. Offering a 100% return on investment, most consumers upgraded their roof due to worn-out surfaces, finishes and materials.
2. GARAGE DOOR. The top reason homeowners replace their garage door is having plans to sell their home in the next two years, according to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report. This project may be well worth the cost, offering 100% returns.
3. FIBER CEMENT SIDING. With 86% recovery on the cost of the project, upgrading siding due to worn-out surfaces, finishes and materials is a solid investment.
If you’ve made any recent updates, talk to your insurance agent to make sure you have the proper coverage. To learn more about guaranteed replacement cost coverage, visit erieinsurance.com.
This summer, make home upgrades wisely. For peace of mind, be sure to protect the investments you make in your home.
panels found at your home improvement store, glue and paint or stain. Once you have all the materials, measure and cut the horizontal pieces to the length of the door and make the vertical rails two inches thick. Glue the panels together and then secure the molding to the cabinet door. For renters, Robertson recommends applying a peel and stick wallpaper over cabinets or doors for a quick refresh.
Under-the-cabinet lighting will help highlight your handy work and offer extra illumination at night. To easily install lighting without the hassle of hardware, Robertson suggests cutting small pieces of T-Rex Super Glue Tape and attaching them to LED light strips. The high-tack, double-sided tape offers super-glue-like adhesive strength for quick mounting and leaves no mess behind.
rules: stick with simplistic patterns in formal areas, such as a dining room or living room; and use abstract shapes in bedrooms, game rooms and offices. To achieve a perfect accent wall every time, Robertson uses templates instead of a tape measure.
“If you are making a wall with panels four inches apart, cut a piece of scrap to four inches and use it for all of the design,” he says. “You will get the same spacing for the entire project and everything will be symmetrical.”
Summer is the optimal time to fix up the backyard. From staining the deck to building a new fire pit, there are several projects that will make the area pop.
(StatePoint) Summer is the most popular time of the year for home renovations, with the great weather making indoor and outdoor fixes a breeze. From simple remodel ideas to budget-friendly outdoor updates, these are the top projects to tackle this summer, according to a DIY expert.
If you’re craving a modern aesthetic, but don’t want to take on an expensive and time-consuming renovation, updating cabinets, doors and lighting can make all the difference.
“During a recent bathroom remodel, I made shaker doors because they are easy to assemble yet give a nice style and modern look to cabinets,” says Mark Robertson, the DIYer behind Mark the Builder, who specializes in accent walls and bathroom and kitchen remodels. “To give plain cabinets the shaker look, we basically take a door frame and add raised panels to it.”
For this project, all you need is a cabinet door, wood
The best home updates not only look good, but function beautifully, too. New shelves are an impactful way to add storage and enhance a room’s style.
It’s easy to find inexpensive shelving on resale websites—many just need a quick coat of stain or paint to look brand new. For those who want to build it themselves, Robertson recommends making an industrial pipe shelf using reclaimed wood—typically one to two inches thick—and a three-quarter inch industrial black pipe. Lay the piece of wood flat, trace the circular part of the pipe onto the wood and then drill two holes. Slide the wood over the pipe to assemble the shelf.
From indoors to out, options for accent walls are endless. However, Robertson follows these two design
While working outdoors, Robertson suggests keeping T-Rex Waterproof Tape handy for quick fixes. The strong tape provides waterproof adhesion so you can easily patch a leak in a swimming pool, tape up a hole in a bucket, or repair a garden hose damaged from wear and tear.
After tackling these DIY projects, you’ll enjoy interiors and exteriors that look and feel as bright and fresh as the summer weather.
