Phil Aitken
Phil Aitken
Owner/Broker

Blog

5 Signs You Might Be a Hoarder

August+homewardbound 2

Hoarding is a serious problem.  It is a secretive lifestyle and often goes undetected until it becomes extreme.  Hoarding can hinder the expedient sale of a home as well as the sale price.   The Aitken Home Team presents five signs you might be a hoarder: Your home smells. You probably don’t even notice the musty […]

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2019 Decor Trends for Eager Sellers

August+homewardbound 2

If you are about to put your home on the market, you might want to consult your experienced realtor about fashionable 2019 design trends versus less complimentary decor that could potentially hinder the sale of your home. Here’s the skinny: Keep it modern with a touch of warmth. It seems that many homes across the […]

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5 Tips For New Home Investors

August+homewardbound 2

The first property purchase for new home investors is a huge milestone and can set the tone for future investment opportunities.  If you’re new to investing, you may not know how to find the perfect investment property or what to do after you buy it. In this post, The Aitken Home Team will discuss five […]

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Spring Mortgage Rates on the Rise

August+homewardbound 2

Spring is in the air and the economy is rising to the occasion with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased by nearly 4.08%.  In fact, this particular mortgage has experienced gains two consecutive weeks in a row.  Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage has also increased by four points and the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage […]

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5 Tips On How To Pick a Lender For a Mortgage

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Wondering how to pick a lender for a mortgage? Finding your dream home begins with finding the right financial institution to help you secure a mortgage. Factors such as interest rates, fees, and the length of time it takes to qualify for pre-approval all come into play when shopping for a mortgage. In this post, The […]

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Credit 101

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Many renters and prospective home buyers understand very little about credit.  Even fewer know how to build it nor do they understand the criteria for “good” credit and how credit is calculated. Credit is really a trust system that allows a consumer to obtain goods prior to making payment. It is a promise to pay… […]

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“House Hacking”: 5 Reasons it’s Tricky

August+homewardbound 2

“House hacking” might be an unfamiliar phrase to those outside the world of real estate. For newbie investors and first-time homeowners, this prospect is becoming rather “trendy.” House hacking is the concept of purchasing a multifamily property such as a triplex, for example, and electing to live in a part of the property while renting […]

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No Deal is Better than a Bad Deal

August+homewardbound 2

As a first-time homebuyer, it can be easy to “catch the bug”.  In other words, you may find difficulty securing the home you want.  You’ve made offers on several, however, you’ve been outbid on each one.  You are determined to secure your first residence and you are at a point where you are making ridiculous […]

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Florida in Top 10 for Beach Homes

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Most sun-loving Americans equate summer months with tans, beaches, and coastlines.  The east and west coasts are desirable vacation spots for eager travelers, some of whom are searching out premium beachfront property in markets that boast a stronger return on investment than others. With factors such as cap rate, buying opportunity, and median home cost, […]

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Should the “Kids” Pay Rent?

August+homewardbound 2

Times have changed in the last fifty years and one of the most notable changes is that we have now entered the era of “helicopter parenting” which often results in “boomerang children”.  A boomerang child is an adult child who leaves home for a period of time only to return to live with Mom and […]

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