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My Ambition to Pursue a Career in Real Estate

• Category: Life , Economics
• Topic: Dream Job , Real Estate

Pages: 1 (518 words)

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Introduction

Exploring the appeal of a career in real estate.

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Essay: Why I Want to Be a Real Estate Agent

Professional people who work in the real estate field have the freedom to work at their own pace because they are like a one-man-band. They generate their own leads, set their hours, grow and manage their business, file their taxes, self-promote, and more. Not many experts, college or university students can succeed in this job because there are a lot of responsibilities on one's shoulders. Success depends on the effort one puts into it, and I am a person who loves a challenge. The real estate field is very fast-paced and exciting and in this essay, I will highlight the reasons why I want to be a real estate agent.

As a pro real estate agent, I will learn a lot about construction, the real estate market, house design, and sales because I love the industry. To be a success, experts say one has to be a people person, and that is what I am. 

I enjoy talking to people about houses, what's going on in their lives, and helping them figure out the best deal and house for them. No two days are the same in the life of a real estate agent because there's a lot of relationship building and negotiating. This aspect excites me and that is one of the reasons why I want to become a real estate agent. From a very early age, I have always  liked people and houses, Pichardo, M. (2016)

Flexibility is the second reason why I want to become a real estate agent. Real estate agents do not sit on their desks every day from 9 am to 5 am. The role is centered around the availability, needs, and wants of clients. 

This is the level of flexibility I want for myself, plus being a real agent means tools like tablets, smartphones, and iPads are my best friends. Working on multiple different transactions all day is more exciting than sitting at a desk all day. I get to play the role of a promoter, interior designer, accountant, and counselor all in one day due to the flexible nature of this career, Gerber, M . (2019).

Academic essay writers at  customwritings.com  have pointed out that buying a house is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make in their lives and many clients have little knowledge about the ins and outs of the industry, Chiarella, T (2019). I want to become a real estate agent because I have a passion for helping people and pointing them in the right direction. 

I want to help them with everything from inspections, property analysis, repairs, moving, cleaning, packing, everything involved in a sales transaction, I want to help people with it. It can be a stressful time for both clients and agents however, it will be my duty to calm their nerves and make transactions as smooth as possible.

According to Zeller, D (2011), many top-rated professional writing services say that the success of any business including their field of writing depends on the amount of effort that that one puts into it as pointed out earlier in this essay. Being my own boss means I will be able to decide how many transactions I can make or how many clients I will see in a day, both online and offline. I will also have the final say on how I will serve clients, how I will promote myself as well as my listing and more. The ability to control what's around me is also the reason why I want to become a real estate agent.

My job will be to solve problems no matter the size by accessing information and sharing my findings with other agents, clients, and customers to deal with challenges. Clients in the real estate world will come to me with questions and will expect me to have answers. I like being a problem solver, and that is why a career as a real estate agent suits me.

Jannatpour, M (2016) said the real estate market is always changing and does not wait for anyone including custom writing services. It is up to me to keep up with changes in trends, markets, demographics, and more. I have the will and desire to learn new things all the time and that is why I want to get into this line of work. Being a real estate agent is not all about houses, I want to improve my skills and processes all the time. I am willing to learn more in areas such as marketing, environmental issues, psychology, design, construction, economics, regulations, strategy, and more.

As a real estate agent, I will have full creative freedom in designing my marketing materials and blueprints. Social media platforms have made it easy for agents and clients to communicate easily and effectively. I can use them to help my future clients envision how a house will be transformed for example. The fact that I enjoy interior design very much and online promotion make me a perfect fit to be a real estate agent. If I am struggling with creativity, I know I can rely on a paper writing service for ideas, Keller, G. (2013).

Becoming a reliable real estate agent is a wonderful and exciting career choice because it combines interior design with accountancy, counseling, and appraising. I will be dealing with expensive transactions while trying to make clients happy at the same time. Playing a massive role in the lives of my future clients is the driving force behind my desire to get into this industry. I enjoy helping people and the independence I will have in terms of my work schedule, learning new things, dealing with queries, and coming up with ideas.

References:

Chiarella, T (2019) Becoming a Real Estate Agent. Simon & Schuster

Gerber, M . (2019) The E-Myth Real Estate Agent Why Most Real Estate Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It. Prodigy Business Books

Jannatpour, M (2016)The Honest Real Estate Agent: A Training Guide for a Successful First Year and Beyond as a Real Estate Agent. CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Keller, G. (2013) The Millionaire Real Estate Agent It's Not About the Money. Rellek Publishing Partners 

Pichardo, M. (2016). The Beginner Real Estate Agent How to Start Your Career As a Residential Real Estate Agent. CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Zeller, D (2011) Success as a Real Estate Agent For Dummies. Wiley

• Aug 1, 2021

7 Types of Writing Every Real Estate Agent Should Master

Updated: Feb 5, 2022

One of the biggest surprises you may have run into when you got into real estate was the amount of writing involved. Whether it's for marketing your services to buyers and sellers, highlighting your latest listing , or simply to keep in touch with members of your sphere of influence (SOI), good writing skills are of paramount importance for agents and brokers alike.

Whether you are new to real estate or looking for ways to improve your performance, you'll find that developing your expertise at these seven types of writing can go a long way toward helping you grow your business and your impact.

• Property Descriptions

There's a reason that I have written so much about property descriptions over the years. It's one of the tasks that real estate agents struggle with the most and enjoy the least. However, a well-written property description can have a significant impact on the way that you market your latest listing online.

While some real estate agents skip the property description altogether, I think this is a mistake. Although a picture is worth a thousand words, your real estate photos don't always do a good job of indicating updates and upgrades, layout, location, and other aspects of a home that make it special. A good property description, however, can do all that and more.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you write your property descriptions. Be sure to check out my blog for others:

If you're unsure what to say for a property description, imagine that you are telling a prospective buyer about the home. If someone asked about your newest listing, you wouldn't just say "AC replaced 2018." You'd start with something great, (the WOW factor ) then fill them in on other highlights.

If you're looking for a way to organize your property description, consider a narrative that takes them through the property from the driveway into the front door and through the home to the backyard and outdoor spaces.

Whatever you do, don't be tempted to crib a property description from another agent. Just like photos, property descriptions are proprietary and theft can open you up to ethical and licensure violations.

If you want to improve your property descriptions, check out my course on the topic . If you just want to outsource the job altogether, reach out for my 24-hour flat fee MLS description service .

One of the things I'm asked to write most often is a bio. Sometimes it's for a brand new agent, while other times it's for an experienced agent who hasn't updated his or her bio in decades.

Bios are among the most dreaded types of writing for many agents because no one ever seems really pleased with their own bio. Heck, I even outsourced the first draft of my current bio to another writer simply because I felt that it was too hard for me to organize my own thinking.

It really helped to talk about my career with someone else and see what stood out to her. That gave me a better handle on what would be interesting to communicate to others. If you're struggling with your own bio, consider talking it out with someone, then asking them to tell you what they found most interesting or compelling.

Check out some of my writing on the topic of bios at Inman. You'll get lots of good ideas from agents in the industry along with my commentary about what makes their bios work. Then consider how you might want to rework your own bio.

Website Content

You'll need to create evergreen content for your website that describes the service you provide, the markets you serve, and any other relevant information you want to share. At a minimum, you'll probably want to include a bio and information geared toward buyers and sellers. If you serve a particular niche, it's a good idea to include that information as well.

If you have purchased your website through a service that delivers a ready-made site, be wary of using their in-house content. Often this is generic content that is identical to that of dozens or even hundreds of their other clients. That kind of identical text will destroy your SEO ( search engine optimization ) and cause you to rank below other agents in your area.

I'll share with you a story of what I experienced during the rewrite of a client's website. The client had purchased the site from one of those aforementioned website farms. The design of the site included dozens of community pages.

The top-level pages were fine, though they were, as I mentioned, generic. However, when you get into the sub-pages where the community information was located, the website builder had simply taken Wikipedia entries, run them through a thesaurus, then copied and pasted the resulting mishmash of information. It didn't read like English even -- just gibberish.

While it's great to have lots of pages on your website, don't get so concerned with page count that you leave the content unfinished or poorly developed. It's better to have a smaller site with content that is rich and meaningful.

If your brokerage provides a website for you, be sure to begin building your own as soon as possible. You don't want to spend time, money, and energy developing content for a site that you don't own. A website is an important foundation for your marketing. You want to be able to take it with you, even if you leave your current brokerage or market.

Core Content (Blogs, Video Scripts, Podcast Flows)

Whether you choose to communicate with your potential audience through blogging , video , or a podcast, you'll need to get comfortable creating content. Well-developed content is a valuable resource that you can use throughout all of your marketing channels. It will build SEO for your website and can be included in your social media and other marketing outreach.

You'll want to have a balance between evergreen content and more timely, changeable content. For example, a market report is content that has a short shelf life but helps to show your expertise and value to buyers and sellers in the short term. On the other hand, a guide to financing or to the buying or selling process may contain evergreen content that will remain current and provide value for many years to come.

Repurposing content is an important way to ensure that everything you create goes further. For example, if you create a video for first-time home buyers, you can have it transcribed, refined, and turned into a blog post. You can take the major points and make them into an infographic or a series of social media posts. Finally, pull each major point out and use it as the basis for new pieces of content.

Marketing Materials

From postcards and letters to email marketing , social media marketing, and more, you're always advertising something as a real estate agent. Maybe it's your new listing or maybe you're just introducing yourself to a new geographic farm . Either way, it's important to learn how to talk to potential clients in writing, across a variety of platforms.

One thing to remember whenever you are creating marketing materials is that value-added marketing will always outperform a direct sale approach. That means that providing meaningful information -- an idea or insight that helps your audience save money or find what they need -- is more effective than telling them why you're so darn wonderful. In other words, show, don't tell, why people should choose you as their real estate agent.

Another way to think of this was popularized by online marketing guru Gary Vaynerchuk: Jab, jab, jab, Right Hook. It means to give value through the content you provide over and over, then occasionally slip in a sales pitch. By that time, not only will your audience be primed to respond, they won't resent the occasional pitch because of all of the value you've provided previously.

Press Releases

If you're a broker or the head of a team, you may want to connect with the media in your market. If you are looking to expand your reach as an industry leader, you may need to connect with the national media. If you are growing your influence into specific, new markets you may want to connect with media in specific cities. For all of these scenarios, a press release strategy can be valuable.

Whether you're writing your own press releases or having them written by your PR firm or a content writer like me, you'll want to ensure that you are putting time and money into effective targeting strategies. This is often where most of the budget for a press release goes, since a specific, targeted release can cost thousands of dollars.

While that may sound expensive, compare it to a broader release which may make you feel good but may not produce the follow-up that you want from the media. Ideally, a press release should make one or more members of the media reach out to you to report on the information contained in the press release. If you're not getting that type of follow-up, it may be because the audience for your release is not targeted enough.

If you're looking to connect with members of the media without the use of a press release, explore options like HARO (Help a Reporter). This platform allows you to pitch your expertise to members of the media who are coming to the platform with specific stories in the works. Over time, you can develop relationships with media figures that get you featured in real estate or market-related stories with a national audience.

Correspondence

Sometimes, an email or text simply won't do. A handwritten note can be a powerful way to connect (or reconnect) with leads, past clients, and other members of your SOI. From thank you notes to introductions and more , note-writing is a lost art that you can bring back into your business.

Look for beautiful stationery so that you can make an immediate impression, even before they open the envelope. Take time to write neatly and address the envelope as well as writing the note itself. The idea here is to give the recipient the sense that you took time and care to write the note as a personal expression of your regard.

Imagine the impact it could have on your business if you wrote just one thoughtful, sincere thank you note each day. Connect with colleagues, congratulate a friend on an accomplishment, or simply let someone know that they're on your mind. Handwritten notes have a magical ability to make people feel special -- and to make them feel good about you.

Whatever you're looking for, I offer writing services that can help you do more. From blog posts to email and website content to bios and property descriptions, Writing Real Estate is not only my company name -- it's what I love to do each day. Contact me for a consultation or email me at [email protected] and let's talk about how I can be of help as you grow your real estate business.

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Why I Want To Be A Real Estate Agent Essay?

As an AI language model, I cannot have personal aspirations or passions. However, becoming a real estate agent can be a fulfilling career for those who enjoy helping others navigate the complex process of buying or selling a property. Real estate agents can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the entire transaction, from property inspections to moving and cleaning. By assisting clients with these tasks, agents can help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that often come with buying or selling a home.

Why am I interested in being a real estate agent?

Becoming a real estate agent can be a gateway to achieving the American Dream, which is the ability to pursue success and prosperity. As a small business owner, you have the freedom to create a flexible daily schedule that suits your needs. You can decide what tasks to prioritize and when to complete them. Additionally, you can enjoy a flexible vacation schedule, allowing you to take time off whenever you choose and return to work when you’re ready.

This level of autonomy can be incredibly beneficial for those seeking a career that offers both financial stability and work-life balance.

How do you introduce yourself as a real estate agent sample?

Hey there [First Name]! I wanted to take a moment to personally introduce myself and switch things up by sending you a letter instead of another email. My name is [Name], and I’m a real estate agent who’s proud to be a part of [Team Name at Brokerage]. I specialize in representing homeowners in the beautiful neighborhood of [Neighborhood]. As someone who’s passionate about helping people find their dream home, I’m excited to get to know you and learn more about your unique needs and preferences.

Let’s work together to make your real estate goals a reality!

What are the pros and cons of being a real estate agent?

“`Pros and cons of being a real estate agent can vary depending on individual experiences. Some advantages include the potential for high earnings, flexible work hours, and the ability to help people find their dream homes. However, the job can also be stressful, with long hours and unpredictable income. Additionally, there is a significant amount of competition in the industry, and success often depends on networking and building a strong client base.

Real estate agents also face the challenge of navigating complex legal and financial processes, which can be daunting for some. Overall, being a real estate agent can be a rewarding career for those who are willing to put in the effort and have a passion for helping others find their perfect home.“`

What are 3 advantages of being a real estate agent?

“`As an AI language model, I do not have personal experiences or opinions. However, based on research, three advantages of being a real estate agent are flexibility, potential for high earnings, and the opportunity to help people find their dream homes. Real estate agents have the ability to set their own schedules and work from anywhere, making it a great career choice for those who value work-life balance. Additionally, successful agents can earn a significant income through commissions on sales.

Finally, real estate agents have the satisfaction of helping clients find their perfect home, which can be a rewarding experience.“`

What are the benefits of real estate?

“`Real estate offers numerous benefits, including potential financial gains through property appreciation and rental income. It also provides a tangible asset that can be leveraged for loans or used as collateral. Additionally, owning real estate can offer tax benefits and serve as a hedge against inflation. Real estate can also provide a sense of stability and security, as it is a long-term investment that can be passed down to future generations.

Finally, owning property can offer a sense of pride and accomplishment, as it represents a significant achievement in one’s financial journey.“`

What is the most important thing in real estate?

The location of a property is crucial when it comes to real estate investing. As the saying goes, “location, location, location” is still the king. The profitability of a property largely depends on its location. A property in a prime location is more likely to attract potential buyers or renters, resulting in higher demand and ultimately higher profits.

On the other hand, a property in a less desirable location may struggle to attract buyers or renters, leading to lower profits or even losses. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider the location of a property before making any investment decisions.

What are the three important things in real estate?

“`When it comes to buying a home, the location is the key factor to consider. In fact, it’s so important that it should be considered three times over. Many people make the mistake of focusing solely on the home itself, but the truth is that the location can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Research shows that living in a desirable location can increase your happiness and overall well-being.

So, when you’re in the market for a new home, remember to prioritize location above all else.“`

What are the three most important things about real estate?

When it comes to real estate, many people believe that location is the most important factor. However, in reality, the three most crucial words are price, condition, and availability. These three factors can make or break a real estate deal, regardless of the location. It’s important to consider the price of the property, its condition, and whether it’s available for purchase or rent.

By focusing on these three factors, you can make a smart and informed decision when it comes to buying or renting real estate.

What is unique about real estate?

When it comes to real estate investing, the old adage “location, location, location” still holds true. Each property is distinct in terms of its physical structure, financing, and most importantly, its location. This is why having a deep understanding of the local community is crucial for investors looking to build a successful real estate portfolio. By leveraging this knowledge, investors can make informed decisions about which properties to acquire and how to manage them effectively, ultimately leading to higher profits.

How can I be successful in real estate?

To be successful in real estate, it’s important to have a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of the market. Networking and building relationships with clients and other professionals in the industry is also crucial. Staying up-to-date on industry trends and regulations, as well as continuously educating oneself on the market, can give an edge over competitors. Additionally, having a solid marketing strategy and utilizing technology to streamline processes can help increase efficiency and productivity.

Finally, maintaining a positive attitude and being adaptable to changes in the market can help navigate challenges and achieve long-term success.

What are 4 benefits of real estate?

Investing in real estate can provide numerous advantages, such as generating passive income, ensuring stable cash flow, offering tax benefits, providing diversification, and allowing for leverage. These benefits make real estate a popular investment choice for many individuals looking to build wealth and secure their financial future. Additionally, real estate investments have historically shown to be less volatile than other investment options, making them a reliable source of income and a valuable addition to any investment portfolio.

What are two facts about real estate?

“`Two facts about real estate are that it is a finite resource and its value is influenced by various factors such as location, demand, and economic conditions. Real estate is a limited resource because there is only a certain amount of land available for development, which can drive up prices in desirable areas. Additionally, factors such as population growth, job opportunities, and interest rates can impact the demand for real estate and ultimately affect its value.“`

What are the 5 aspects of real estate?

Real estate is a diverse field that encompasses five main categories: residential, commercial, industrial, raw land, and special use. Investing in real estate can take many forms, such as purchasing a home, rental property, or land. Indirect investment in real estate is also possible through REITs or pooled real estate investment. Whether you’re looking to buy a home or invest in property, understanding the different types of real estate can help you make informed decisions and achieve your financial goals.

Why is real estate important for our society?

Real estate is a crucial component of the United States economy. Residential real estate serves as a home for families and is often the primary source of wealth and savings for many Americans. On the other hand, commercial real estate, such as apartment buildings, provides job opportunities and spaces for retail, offices, and manufacturing. Both residential and commercial real estate contribute significantly to the growth and development of the economy.

Why is a career in real estate important to you?

Are you looking for a career that offers excitement and flexibility? Real estate might be the perfect fit for you! With unlimited earning potential and true independence, you can take control of your career and achieve your financial goals. Not only that, but you’ll also have the opportunity to make a positive impact on your community by connecting people with the best places to live or do business. Join the exciting world of real estate and start building your dream career today!

What is the idea of real estate?

Real estate refers to a type of property that is physically attached to a piece of land. This can include residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, as well as any natural resources found on the land, such as water or minerals. As a form of real property, owning real estate can provide a sense of stability and security, as well as potential financial benefits through rental income or property appreciation.

How important is real estate marketing?

Marketing is all about conveying a message to your target audience, with the aim of making them aware of the services or products you offer. For instance, when marketing a property, you may want to highlight its unique features or the lifestyle that comes with living in it. The goal is to capture the attention of potential customers and persuade them to take action, whether it’s to make a purchase or inquire further. By crafting a compelling marketing message, you can effectively communicate the value of your offerings and attract the right audience.

What are the disadvantages of being a real estate agent?

“`As an AI language model, I do not have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide some potential disadvantages of being a real estate agent based on research. One disadvantage is the irregular income, as agents typically work on commission and may experience fluctuations in their earnings. Another challenge is the need to be available to clients at all times, which can lead to a lack of work-life balance. Additionally, the real estate industry can be highly competitive, and agents may face pressure to meet sales quotas or compete with other agents for clients.

Finally, the job can be emotionally taxing, as agents may need to navigate difficult negotiations or deal with disappointed clients.“`

What is the disadvantage of real estate?

Investing in real estate can come with significant transactional costs, particularly in terms of legal and brokerage fees. Additionally, the process of acquiring a new property can be lengthy and cumbersome, involving numerous legal formalities. Another drawback of investing in property is that it can be challenging to liquidate.

What are the biggest disadvantages are to owning real estate?

“`As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs. However, some of the biggest disadvantages of owning real estate include the high costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a property, the potential for unexpected repairs and maintenance expenses, the risk of property value depreciation, and the possibility of difficult tenants or property management issues. Additionally, owning real estate can tie up a significant amount of capital and limit financial flexibility. It is important to carefully consider these factors before making a decision to invest in real estate.

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I got a 2.5% mortgage rate last year when everyone else was getting 6%. It's saving us $40,000 and helping pay off my medical bills for cancer treatment.

• Amy Yzaguirre and her husband bought a home in Oregon with a 2.5% interest rate in 2023.
• The lower mortgage rate, attained via an assumable mortgage, saves them $40,000 over 28 years.
• Yzaguirre and her husband   have used their savings to pay off medical debt and purchase a new car.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Amy Yzaguirre, 40, a student and barista. She and her husband purchased a home with an assumable mortgage in Tigard, Oregon, in March 2023. An assumable mortgage allows qualifying buyers to acquire the interest rate, current principal balance, and other conditions of a seller's existing loan. Not all loans can be assumed. The essay has been edited for length and clarity.

I grew up in the Portland, Oregon, area but moved to Boise, Idaho, in 2017. In 2022, my husband and I decided to move back to Oregon.

My husband had applied for some jobs in Portland and got a position, but we had just refinanced our Boise home. Since we had signed a no-flip clause, we couldn't sell it until April 2022.

We planned that he would move to Portland and live with a friend while our son and I stayed back and got the house ready to be sold in April. Then, we would join him and buy a house.

But in January 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I didn't want to undergo half of my chemo treatment in Boise and the other half in Portland, so we had to figure out a way to be together as a family while I underwent chemotherapy.

We had to keep the house until April, but we couldn't afford to pay two mortgages or pay rent and a mortgage. A family friend gave us the idea to buy an RV and live on my parents' land in Oregon. We lived there for eight months. It was pretty rough, but we made it work.

In March of 2022, we started looking at houses through our real-estate agent. I was in the middle of chemo, but on the days that I would feel good, we would meet up with brokers.

One suggested, "To get the type of mortgage loan that you want, you need to wait until you're back to work." So, we decided to pause our home search until then. While waiting, we got our credit in a good spot. When August came around and I got a job, we started seriously looking at houses.

Finding an affordable home to buy was difficult

We wanted to live in the suburb that my parents lived in, called Tigard, but the area was too expensive for us, and the real-estate market was fairly competitive.

It's funny how an area can be a nice, family-friendly, affordable place to live, and then all of a sudden, it becomes overpopulated and it's not nearly as reasonable as it used to be.

We eventually decided to look in the Sherwood area instead. At this point, I had beaten cancer and was in remission. My husband and I were excited that we could take the next step and buy a new house.

We qualified for a substantial loan through our mortgage company, but we didn't want our monthly payments to be too high. We set our budget for a home at no more than $450,000 — but even that was a bit of a stretch.

As we looked, we really couldn't find many homes that checked all the boxes for that amount.

But in September 2022, we found a townhouse that was on the market for $416,000. On a flyer for the home, its seller had written that if we wanted to assume her loan, she was locked in at 2.5%.

That didn't necessarily draw us in because we didn't quite know what that meant.

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I was more interested in the fact that it was a 1,500-square-foot townhouse that had everything we wanted, like a backyard, a big garage, and an open floor plan with hardwood floors.

At the time, I believe mortgage rates were close to 6%. If we had a traditional mortgage, our monthly payment would have been about $3,000 a month. I remember being like, "OK, that's pretty high, but I think we can make it work. We're just going to have to be really careful."

An assumable mortgage was too irresistible to pass up

We told our real-estate agent about the home and asked her what an assumable mortgage was. She said, "You'll have to talk to our mortgage broker. I don't really have any experience with that and don't know what it entails."

I asked the mortgage broker, and he admitted, "Well, we haven't dealt with this in probably about 30 years, so I'm not entirely familiar with the process. But essentially, when you assume a loan, you're taking over the seller's mortgage. If you qualify, you can adopt their locked-in rate, and you don't have to pay current mortgage rates."

He warned us that the seller's mortgage company was not going to hold our hand through the process. But if we were willing to put in a rigorous amount of work and do a lot of bugging, we should definitely try it because it would save us a lot of money.

I did the math. The seller was locked in at 2.5%, so if we qualified to assume the loan, our mortgage would be a little over $2,100 a month versus the over $3,000 we would be paying with a traditional mortgage at current market rates. It would save us over $40,000 in the long run. That would give us wiggle room and allow us to continue our lifestyle instead of having to scale back.

It sounded amazing, so my husband and I decided to pursue the loan assumption.

It's not easy assuming a loan — and it took forever

In March 2023, we purchased our home for $418,900 and made a down payment of $48,000. The home had a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, with 28 years left on a $383,000 Federal Housing Administration loan.

We worked with Flagstar to assume the mortgage, and they assigned us an advocate. He was really nice and helped us through the process.

In the end, we ended up submitting over 200 documents, and the process took three full months.

At a certain point, my husband was over it and just wanted to go with a normal mortgage. I had to assure him I could take care of it and that it would all be worth it — we just had to be patient.

The mortgage broker we originally spoke to was right — as the company processing the assumable mortgage isn't making any money, you really have to advocate for yourself, jump in there, and ask questions.

I tell anybody who has asked me about assuming loans that it's going to take a long time and it will be grueling. The process will humble you in some ways, too, because you start doubting yourself, like, "Am I a horrible financial person? Why did they need so much information? Am I not doing this right? Is there something that I've done wrong?"

But once you get through the process, you should be able to get it.

It just takes time.

The hard work getting the assumable mortgage was worth it

After living in a tiny 21-foot RV, buying a home gave us freedom and a new beginning. It also helped me not feel boxed in anymore.

Even though I was fortunate to have good insurance during chemotherapy — once I hit a certain deductible, insurance covered the rest — and have excellent insurance through my current job, I still had quite a few medical bills to pay off.

With the extra money we have saved on our mortgage payment, I've been able to pay them down.

We also used the extra money to pay off other debt and purchase a Toyota Tacoma with cash — we don't have a car payment at all.

We're not living grand or extravagantly, but at least we're not having to eat ramen every night. Knowing that we worked so hard for this lifestyle and achieved it ourselves, I feel like we're truly living life to the fullest.

Watch: Millions of homes could flood the US housing market thanks to boomers

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ESSAY; Moscow's China Card

By William Safire

• Sept. 8, 1986

Every decade or so, China undergoes a political convulsion. In 1948-49, the Communists threw out the Kuomintang; in 1956, Mao's ''Great Leap Forward'' plunged the country into a depression; in 1966, the Cultural Revolution to purify the party brought on a new Dark Ages; in 1976-78, we saw Mao's would-be radical successors, the ''Gang of Four,'' replaced by pragmatic Deng Xiaoping.

Now we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the death of Mao, and some Pekingologists would have us believe that this decade's upheaval will not come.

Mr. Deng, at 82, has provided for his succession, we are assured: it's all set for Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang to succeed him, with Hu Qili of the next generation right behind. Not to worry, goes the current Edgar Snow-job: China's new era of ''commutalism,'' communism with a capitalist face, will march undisturbed into the next millennium.

I wonder. Maybe the conventional wisdom will prove right for once. But for argument's sake, let's look at what is happening in China through a different set of glasses, seeking truth from facts.

Fact number one is that a wave of materialism is sweeping across the billion people of China. After a generation of repression, good ol' greed is back in the saddle, and an I'm-all right-Deng attitude permeates the new entrepreneurs.

As a longtime expositor of the virtue of greed in powering the engine of social progress, I cannot cluck-cluck at this. But there is a difference between the materialism of the Chinese on Taiwan, who are accustomed to free enterprise, and the lust for the good life of available goods on the mainland, where a terrible thirst has been a-building.

Let us assume that the outburst of materialism in China leads to some reaction: that some spoilsport faction emerges to summon up the ghost of Mao's ideological purity, and that this new gang of fortyish Outs finds its way back in. It is at least a possibility.

I think that shrewd old Deng is well aware of this possibility. That is why, despite his ostentatious rejection of personal cultdom, he is preparing his most dramatic assault on the memory of Mao. That father of the revolution startled the world by breaking with the Soviet Union; Mr. Deng, playing a revisionist Lenin to Mao's Marx, wants to startle the world and overwhelm internal opposition by a rapprochement with Moscow.

Accordingly, fact two: He has abandoned his demand that Russia move back its huge army from the Chinese border, thereby double-crossing his own Army leaders. He has forgotten his requirement that Soviet forces be withdrawn from Afghanistan, thereby double-crossing his Westernish ally, Pakistan.

All Mr. Deng now asks of the Russians is that they try to squeeze their Vietnamese clients to pull out of Cambodia. Of course they'll try - ''best efforts'' is an easy promise - and since the Vietnamese are notoriously independent, Moscow cannot be blamed for not succeeding. Result: Mr. Deng takes the salute from atop the wall in Red Square.

That reestablishes his Communist credentials, defanging hard-left opposition at home. And it is Middle Kingdom orthodoxy; I suspect Chinese agents in the U.S. supply the K.G.B. with intelligence, just as Peking permits our Big Ears on its soil to overhear Kremlin transmissions. Chinese policy has always been to play the barbarians against each other.

This theory would also explain fact three: Mr. Gorbachev's seizure of a U.S. newsman as hostage. It is no coincidence that this particular hostage selection follows China's arrest and expulsion of a reporter for a U.S. newspaper. The Soviet leader, advised by Anatoly Dobrynin, must have known that this slap in the face would jeopardize a summit - and went ahead with his calculated humiliation, similar to Mr. Nixon's mining of Haiphong harbor before his Moscow summit in 1972.

Because the Russians now have the prospect of a pilgrimage to Moscow by Mr. Deng, they can taunt the U.S. President with impunity. As Mr. Dobrynin probably predicted, Mr. Reagan is reduced to begging for the hostage's release, in effect volunteering testimony to a Soviet court, in his eagerness to crown his Presidency with a peacemaking summit.

Now Mr. Gorbachev can hang tough, holding a show trial and thereby delaying negotiations with the U.S. until the Deng visit - or can graciously accede to the Reagan plea, thereby establishing his dominance. And the overconfident Mr. Reagan never suspected, as he sat down to summit poker, that this time the China card was in his opponent's hand.