Here’s our one-stop shop for everything you need to know about acquiring a home you’ll love. Browse our articles for valuable information on buying an existing home, finding new construction, or building your dream house.
Prospective homebuyers will get more bang for their buck on a two-story home, but one-story houses definitely have their advantages. What works best for your family? Take a look at the pros and cons of each. Lot size. The footprint of a one-story home is much larger than a two-story, making one-story homes harder to… Read more »
Security is a concern in every neighborhood — regardless of status or ZIP Code. Here are six things you can do to make your neighborhood a safer place. Know your neighbors Don’t let your busy schedule keep you from getting to know your neighbors. It’s one of the best crime-fighting measures you can take. Let… Read more »
If you’re in the market for a house with a pond, you’ve got a lot of homework to do before making an offer to purchase. Government regulations, potential flooding, safety issues and added costs are among the concerns that need to be addressed by a prospective buyer. Safety first. Living near a pond is most… Read more »
Housing developments built around a country club typically offer a long list of amenities, from golf and tennis to dining and social activities. But are the perks worth the price? And don’t forget to ask whether membership is voluntary or mandatory. Benefits of country club life. Most people associate country clubs with golf, having as… Read more »
Elegant, sweeping stairs are one of the central contributors to a home’s beauty. Here are the latest trends in stairs, which just might sweep you off your feet. Anatomy of a staircase. If you are updating a staircase or in the process of a building a new one, it’s helpful to know the lingo. The… Read more »
While the stunning views and clean air of mountain living are certainly appealing, be sure to weigh the challenges of mountain life before making a move. Here’s a checklist of things to consider. Positives. Living in the mountains is probably rivaled only by living near a beach for tranquility. The majestic scenery and vacation-like settings… Read more »
As technology has grown and land has become more scarce, more and more subdivisions are being built near high tension power lines. Is this potentially harmful to residents’ health? The National Institutes of Health, the agency of the federal government commissioned with researching and analyzing health and medical topics, has devoted considerable research to this… Read more »
You’ve bought and closed on a house and moving day is fast approaching. You’ve likely made arrangements to transport your belongings, but what about your mail? The U.S. postal service website allows you to change your address online, which the service prefers for speed and efficiency. The step-by-step process can be found at www.usps.com/move. The… Read more »
When shopping for a home, potential buyers can make things easier on themselves — and sellers — by following certain rules of real estate etiquette. Take a look. Have your money in order. Make sure your finances are in tip-top shape. Resolve any unpaid bills that could be dinging your credit. Seek pre-approval with a… Read more »
Veterans and active-duty military require special help when buying and selling real estate. From frequent moves to special government loans, members of the military need a specially trained real estate agent who knows the ins and outs of military life. Agents with knowledge and experience. When looking for a good real estate agent, ask other… Read more »
It’s awkward when you’ve signed a contract to buy a house and then discover that you can’t go through with it. Let’s look at the proper steps to cancel so it doesn’t become expensive, too. Canceling during negotiations. If you have extended an offer to a seller by signing a contract, but the seller has… Read more »
For most people, their home is their biggest investment — and their biggest tax benefits. As always, it’s best to consult your tax adviser for specific information, but let’s walk through the most common, basic tax savings of homeownership. Income Tax Savings When you file your federal income taxes each year, you are allowed to… Read more »
When buying your first house, the terms and conditions of the mortgage process can be confusing. Here’s a primer on two such terms: points and the origination fee. Origination fee. This is the cost that the mortgage company charges you for borrowing money. When you take out a mortgage, it is a new loan in… Read more »
When you buy a home, your mortgage is sold to you by a banker or broker on the primary mortgage market. When that first lender sells your mortgage to another firm, your mortgage enters the secondary market. Does it make any difference to you as a consumer? Primary mortgage market. When you decide to buy… Read more »
Each month you send off a hefty chunk of money to your mortgage company. If you’re like most people, it represents 25 percent to 30 percent of your income. That payment is split into as many as five parts. Take a look. The payment against the principal amount of the loan. Say you took out… Read more »
Scanning the real estate ads, astute readers will notice a lot of the same phrases popping up. That’s not an accident. Like every good sales rep, real estate agents utilize certain words and phrases to make their sales pitch. Here’s what the terms could mean. Cozy affixed to anything usually equates to small. Cozy living… Read more »
When buying a house, how much importance should you put on size when it comes to hosting out-of-town family and friends? Here are some things to think about before investing in extra guest rooms and bathrooms. Season of life. Are you still raising children or are you empty nesters? If the kids are grown, how… Read more »
Homeownership is the dream of millions of Americans, and should never be denied because of an applicant’s race, color, national origin, sex, religion, marital status or age. In 1974, Congress sought to remove such discriminatory obstacles from the approval process. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act was created to weed out discriminatory practices in lending. It’s… Read more »
The financial crisis of 2008 started with shoddy mortgage-lending practices. Congress answered this problem with the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, which was designed, among other things, to tighten mortgage lending standards and disclosures, keeping consumers better informed and curbing predatory lending practices. Here is a quick overview of what the Dodd-Frank Act means to you as… Read more »
If you haven’t bought a home in recent years, the paperwork you’ll be confronted with will look a little different this time around. That’s because of new regulations put in place following the 2008 financial crisis. Under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), the decades-old Good Faith Estimate and… Read more »
