A relationship between you and your real estate agent is like any other. Sometimes it takes a little TLC on both ends. It’s important to remember that your real estate agent is working on your behalf. They may be making a commission off your transaction, but they want to do a good job for you. Not only do they have time invested in finding you a home, they also hope you’ll hire them in the future and refer those you know to them. Real estate agents should always keep your best interests and your personal goals in mind, but remember that the relationship is a two-way street.

Here are 5 things you can do to maintain a good relationship with your real estate agent:

1. Remember that your real estate agent may have information you don’t. When you go online to look for a home, there are times that home may not be available anymore. Real estate agents have access to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that you don’t. It’s great to look online, but don’t bombard your agent. There is a lot of information about homes that you will not have access to. Hire an agent you trust and relinquish some control to let them help you find homes that best suit your preferences and needs.
2. Don’t accuse your agent of sabotage. Granted, there are some people who may take advantage of you in a business situation, so it’s very natural to be suspicious of someone who is making a commission off your transaction. However, most agents live by a Realtor’s Code of Ethicsand strive to maintain professionalism. They don’t have the ability to forsee all problems with the transaction such as the things a home inspector might find. If you don’t trust your agent for any reason, find a new one.
3. Don’t demand to only see homes after hours and on weekends. Most real estate agents work the same hours you do. There may be special circumstances that cause you to only be able to view a home at a certain time, and that’s okay every once in a while. Your agent has a choice, too. Banks, attorneys, brokers are all closed on the weekends. Make sure you openly communicate with your agent about the best times for you to view properties. While a good agent is generally flexible, you may also have to rearrange your schedule a bit.
4. Don’t automatically think you can get a much better deal than the agent can. It’s highly likely that your real estate agent has a better handle on the market than you do, despite the research you’ve done. Your agent lives with the market every day – some of them have years of experience – so trust them to know their stuff. If you continually make low ball offers that have no chance of being accepted on multiple properties, be assured that your relationship with your agent may be strained.
5. Don’t work with more than one real estate agent. Sure, shop around and find an agent you like and trust. However, don’t get to a point with an agent where you’ve consulted with them, toured numerous homes and afterward say, “We’ll give you a call. We have an appointment next week with our other agent.” If you don’t like your agent, fire them and find a new one, but don’t work with more than one agent in the same market. Keep in mind that if you only give 50% of your loyalty, you’ll only receive 50% back.

Maybe you’ve recently graduated from college. Perhaps you’ve gone through a Bankruptcy and have since chosen not to incur any more debt. You could just save and pay cash for most things.

Whatever the case may be, there are many people out there with little to no credit history. So, can you buy a home with little to no credit history?

The short answer is that it really depends on your lender as well as some other factors about your personal finance history.

There may be other ways of establishing credit besides your credit score. The three basic things most lenders look at are your income, your credit, and your assets. Each lender has their own personal criteria, but those are the basics. If you can’t offer your credit history, you will have to provide proof of your financial responsibility in terms of your income and assets.

To get a mortgage loan without a credit history, you will need to have a substantial, stable income with a steady job.

You’ll also want to have as much saved up for a down payment as possible. A “no-money-down” loan is a thing of the past – especially if you have little to no credit history. A sizeable down payment will decrease the risk of loss to the lender.

You may also be able to use sources of “alternate credit” on your mortgage application. This could include your rent history, a letter from a former landlord, or payment history of monthly bills like utilities, cell phones, or insurance.

An FHA loan may also be an option. These loans are designed to assist first-time homebuyers as well as those with little to no credit history or little money for a down payment. While you can get good terms on an FHA loan, you may be subject to limitations on the price of the home you buy.

If you have little to no credit history and are looking to purchase a new home, contact us to discuss your options.

Everyone knows a low credit score can hurt your chances of qualifying for a
mortgage, but here are 5 more things that can affect your mortgage
application:

• New debt. One of the last things you want to do before
  applying for a mortgage or refinancing is to take on any new debt soon before
  submitting your application. Buying a car, putting large purchases on a credit
  card, or applying for student loans will drive up your debt-to-income ratio
  substantially. Typically, you want your total debt payments to be no more than
  43 percent of your monthly income, with your mortgage at no more than 31
  percent. Also, be cautious about incurring any other debt obligations as well,
  such as cosigning a loan.

• Divorce. If you are currently involved in divorce
  proceedings or just recently filed for divorce, it may make the mortgage process
  a little more complicated. It definitely won’t automatically disqualify you from
  getting a loan, but you may want to wait until a divorce process is final before
  submitting your mortgage application. Also, never omit the fact you are in a
  divorce proceeding if you are. This is information that is easily obtained by
  your lender. Neglecting to include it will most likely get you turned down for
  the loan.

• Unnecessary inquiries on your credit report. If you plan on
  applying for a mortgage loan or refinancing, you want to be cautious about
  allowing multiple lenders or brokers pull your credit report. Unnecessary
  inquiries can drop your credit score, which could result in a higher interest
  rate.

• Recently changing your job. Employment stability is an
  important factor lenders consider when assessing the risk of your mortgage loan.
  Recently changing your job may complicate the mortgage process. Lenders want to
  see evidence of a stable employment history before approving your mortgage
  application. Typically, lenders like to see you in your current job for at least
  two years. Recently changing your job doesn’t mean that your application will be
  immediately denied, but it could, at the least, prolong the process.

• Being involved in a lawsuit. If you are currently a party
  in a lawsuit, lenders may be reluctant to approve your mortgage application. If
  you’re being sued, there’s a chance you may get stuck with a large settlement
  that may make it difficult to meet your monthly mortgage payments. If you’re
  suing someone and lose, you could end up with some large attorney fees. Keep in
  mind that being a potential beneficiary of a class-action lawsuit isn’t the
  same. To be involved in a suit, you either have to have filed a suit against
  someone in court, been served as a defendant, or have hired an attorney to
  represent you.

Affluent Manhattan professionals make their nests in the million-dollar townhouses that line New Jersey’s “Gold Coast.” Flirt with your neighbors in the organic produce aisle of the local Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Or tone your muscles and expand your social circle at one of the borough’s fitness centers. Hold hands as you gaze at the breathtaking Manhattan skyline. Or take a five-minute ferry ride across the Hudson River for all the nightlife New York City has to offer.

See complete data and interactive map for Edgewater

U.S. market sees traction in luxury sales | The Real Deal | New York Real Estate News.