Piatt Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING OR SELLING A HOME IN THE SEWICKLEY AREA, CALL KATHE! Ask Kathe Your Local Realtor® I DEAR KATHE, WE'RE FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS - WHERE DO WE BEGIN? Buying a home is one of the best choices you can make. Rather than paying a landlord, a portion of your monthly payment each month a portion benefits you-when you sell the home, that money is refunded to you (called equity) and you can use it to buy again. It is in effect, a forced savings plan and over time you can amass quite a large amount of savings while you are simply doing what you would have done otherwise-paying for housing each month To buy a home, however, you must have two things to start a down payment and good credit. There a host of specialty loan products for first time home buyers far too extensive to review here, but figure on saving no less than 2.5%-10% of the planned purchase price for a down payment. Credit scores are also key. There are many things you can do to help or hurt your credit! Do not open any new credit. Don't buy any new cars. Pay all bills on time. Even if you are not ready to buy yet, it's a great idea to connect with a reputable local mortgage broker right away to make sure you are headed in the right direction. When you think you are ready, start by finding a full-time Buyers Agent A Buyer's Agent is looking out for your best interests from the outset. Check the agent's personal website, Linkedin page, Google business page and professional credentials, review their references, and interview if you wish. Do your homework and select the best agent for your needs. Once you select an agent, you will need to sign the Consumer Notice, informing you of your rights, and a Buyer Agency Agreement, whereby you actually hire the agent to work for you. If you have not already done so, get a mortgage pre-approval. The mortgage broker will review your assets, abilities and credit and give you a written statement of how much you can afford to buy. This step cannot be skipped. There is no sense looking at homes you can't afford. With pre-approval in hand and agent on board, you are now ready to begin the home buying process... stay tuned-in two weeks I will continue to walk you through the process..it's when the fun begins! ASK KATHE CAN ALSO BE READ AT WWW.ASKKATHE.COM Kathe Barge 25 ASSOCIATE BROKER JD, CRS, ABR. CNE, SRES 412.779.6060 (M)-412.939.7000 (0) kbarge piattsir.com kathebarge.com Your Smart Choice for Real Estate For Wherever You Are, & Wherever You Want to Be Platt Sotheby's Kathe B AVAILABLE PROPERTIES 35 Linden Place SEWICKLEY $4,750,000 This fully remodeled French Tudor home stands as a testament to luxurious living at its finest Sitting on a flat once acre lot in a prime Village neighborhood with stunning outdoor spaces for entertaining, the home features 5 bedrooms. 4.5 baths and a carriage house with a chic studio apartment 215 Frederick Avenue SEWICKLEY VILLAGE - $695.000 Discover the allure of 215 Frederick Avenue in Sewickley Village. From the inviting porch to the stylish kitchen, this thoughtfully designed home strikes the ideal balance between modern living and classic charm. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. 1-car garage. NEW PRICE! 400 Centennial Avenue #8 SEWICKLEY $2,475,000 The ultimate address for low-maintenance living in the heart of Sewickley Village, this stunning 2-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom second-floor comer unit boasts impeccable craftsmanship and up- scale finishes. With only 12 bespoke residences. seize this last opportunity to experience luxury living at its finest in Sewickley. 403 Oliver Road EDGEWORTH JUST SOLD! The epitome of charmin Sewickley Village! Main level primary suite, open floorplan, wood floors. beautifully remodeled, easy walkability to Village amenities 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, large back deck. Simplify your life and spend more time doing what you love! Piatt Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY 335 Chestnut Street SEWICKLEY VILLAGE $1,900,000 LEARN MORE THE Robyn Jones GROUP REAL ESTATE ADVISO NOTHING COMPARES Robyn Jones REAL ESTATE ADVISOR 412.973.7277 (M) 5 BD, 5 FULL & 1 HALF BA 412.939.7000 (0) rjones@piattsir.com Platt Sotheby's International Realty 519 Broad Street, Sewickley, PA 15143 412.939.7000 (0) Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Piatt Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING OR SELLING A HOME IN THE SEWICKLEY AREA , CALL KATHE ! Ask Kathe Your Local Realtor® I DEAR KATHE , WE'RE FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS - WHERE DO WE BEGIN ? Buying a home is one of the best choices you can make . Rather than paying a landlord , a portion of your monthly payment each month a portion benefits you - when you sell the home , that money is refunded to you ( called equity ) and you can use it to buy again . It is in effect , a forced savings plan and over time you can amass quite a large amount of savings while you are simply doing what you would have done otherwise - paying for housing each month To buy a home , however , you must have two things to start a down payment and good credit . There a host of specialty loan products for first time home buyers far too extensive to review here , but figure on saving no less than 2.5 % -10 % of the planned purchase price for a down payment . Credit scores are also key . There are many things you can do to help or hurt your credit ! Do not open any new credit . Don't buy any new cars . Pay all bills on time . Even if you are not ready to buy yet , it's a great idea to connect with a reputable local mortgage broker right away to make sure you are headed in the right direction . When you think you are ready , start by finding a full - time Buyers Agent A Buyer's Agent is looking out for your best interests from the outset . Check the agent's personal website , Linkedin page , Google business page and professional credentials , review their references , and interview if you wish . Do your homework and select the best agent for your needs . Once you select an agent , you will need to sign the Consumer Notice , informing you of your rights , and a Buyer Agency Agreement , whereby you actually hire the agent to work for you . If you have not already done so , get a mortgage pre - approval . The mortgage broker will review your assets , abilities and credit and give you a written statement of how much you can afford to buy . This step cannot be skipped . There is no sense looking at homes you can't afford . With pre - approval in hand and agent on board , you are now ready to begin the home buying process ... stay tuned - in two weeks I will continue to walk you through the process..it's when the fun begins ! ASK KATHE CAN ALSO BE READ AT WWW.ASKKATHE.COM Kathe Barge 25 ASSOCIATE BROKER JD , CRS , ABR . CNE , SRES 412.779.6060 ( M ) -412.939.7000 ( 0 ) kbarge piattsir.com kathebarge.com Your Smart Choice for Real Estate For Wherever You Are , & Wherever You Want to Be Platt Sotheby's Kathe B AVAILABLE PROPERTIES 35 Linden Place SEWICKLEY $ 4,750,000 This fully remodeled French Tudor home stands as a testament to luxurious living at its finest Sitting on a flat once acre lot in a prime Village neighborhood with stunning outdoor spaces for entertaining , the home features 5 bedrooms . 4.5 baths and a carriage house with a chic studio apartment 215 Frederick Avenue SEWICKLEY VILLAGE - $ 695.000 Discover the allure of 215 Frederick Avenue in Sewickley Village . From the inviting porch to the stylish kitchen , this thoughtfully designed home strikes the ideal balance between modern living and classic charm . 3 bedrooms , 2.5 baths . 1 - car garage . NEW PRICE ! 400 Centennial Avenue # 8 SEWICKLEY $ 2,475,000 The ultimate address for low - maintenance living in the heart of Sewickley Village , this stunning 2 - bedroom , 2.5 bathroom second - floor comer unit boasts impeccable craftsmanship and up- scale finishes . With only 12 bespoke residences . seize this last opportunity to experience luxury living at its finest in Sewickley . 403 Oliver Road EDGEWORTH JUST SOLD ! The epitome of charmin Sewickley Village ! Main level primary suite , open floorplan , wood floors . beautifully remodeled , easy walkability to Village amenities 3 bedrooms , 2.5 baths , 2 car garage , large back deck . Simplify your life and spend more time doing what you love ! Piatt Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY 335 Chestnut Street SEWICKLEY VILLAGE $ 1,900,000 LEARN MORE THE Robyn Jones GROUP REAL ESTATE ADVISO NOTHING COMPARES Robyn Jones REAL ESTATE ADVISOR 412.973.7277 ( M ) 5 BD , 5 FULL & 1 HALF BA 412.939.7000 ( 0 ) rjones@piattsir.com Platt Sotheby's International Realty 519 Broad Street , Sewickley , PA 15143 412.939.7000 ( 0 ) Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated .