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.
Each day another 10,000 baby boomers enter retirement and face choices about where to spend their golden years. There’s a lot to think about when it comes to choosing where to retire. Let’s take a look at seven factors you should consider. 1. Taxes You worked hard your entire adult life and now look forward… Read more »
Perhaps you want to raise livestock and have your eye on some land in the country. Here’s how to know if that rural land is right for you. Start with experts on rural land Any real estate transaction is detailed, but land purchases have their own particulars. Get referrals to find an experienced real estate… Read more »
One strategy for lowering your mortgage interest rate and the overall cost of your loan is to pay mortgage points up front. What are mortgage points, how can paying them save you money, and when is that the right choice for you? What are mortgage points? A point is simply one percent of the amount… Read more »
Building a new home is far different from purchasing an existing house. While you may be familiar with typical purchase contracts and mortgages, here are the basics when dealing with a builder and financing new home construction. The sales contract All purchase contracts spell out the purchase price, amount of earnest money, projected closing dates… Read more »
As a thank you for their service, veterans and active military are eligible for special benefits when purchasing a home. Reaching as far back as President Herbert Hoover, the programs have helped veterans and their families find and purchase affordable housing. As a veteran or active-duty service member, here’s what you need to know. How… Read more »
Having a home inspection is an integral part of buying a house. But a basic inspection can tell you only so much. When should you bring in specialists for closer scrutiny of a home’s different systems? Big money is on the line, so use this guide to help you make that decision. What an home… Read more »
Saving enough money for a home down payment is a challenge for every generation, but millennials face extra hurdles. The good news? With determination, discipline and a plan, you can do it. Let’s make it happen. Millennials face unique challenges Career prospects for many millennials were handicapped by the great recession of 2008. Many millennials… Read more »
Millennial buyers, this one’s for you! Your cohort has different needs and wants when it comes to your homes, versus previous generations. For a variety of reasons, you’ve waited longer before purchasing, but your generation comprises approximately a third of all buyers. Now that you’re ready to buy, here are a few features to look… Read more »
Seniors who wish to age in place or families who have members with health challenges often are faced with a major dilemma: Should we renovate an existing space or move to a new home that is accessible to all members of the household. Either way, here are several things to know regarding new and retrofitted… Read more »
Moving to a new house creates a long “to do” list and no small amount of stress. If the house is in a new community, it’s just as important to get acquainted with the area and its people as it is to turn on the utilities. Here are some tips for settling into a new… Read more »
Securing a good interest rate and qualifying for a home require a good credit report. That’s easier said than done, especially for today’s millennials who are often weighed down by student loan debt. Here’s a four-step approach to building a strong credit history. Types of credit Debt falls into two categories: revolving and installment. Revolving… Read more »
Most people today are trying to eliminate paper clutter from their lives. So is it really necessary to keep instruction manuals for your new home’s appliances and other products? Let’s read up on cutting down the number of appliance manuals around your new house. Why keep appliance manuals? Sometimes it makes sense to keep paper… Read more »
Large corporations frequently relocate their headquarters to new cities. How will that affect you as a home buyer or seller? Why do companies relocate headquarters? The U.S. is always evolving. Changes in demographics, education growth, infrastructure development, and many other factors can prompt companies to relocate to new headquarters or, in the case of Amazon,… Read more »
You’ve found the home you love, but the market is competitive, and other buyers are vying for this same house. Besides offering a competitive price, what steps can you take to land the house you love? A strong home offer letter might do the trick. Here’s how. How a home offer letter helps When a… Read more »
Selling or buying a home where construction was done without required building permits can be a prickly problem that is difficult and expensive to resolve. Here’s what to consider when a home has unpermitted space. Problems for the homeowner Homeowners may be tempted to remodel without getting a building permit and related inspections. But this… Read more »
Cybercriminals are now targeting home buyers by stealing their down payments electronically. The schemes look legit but can kill a home sale and leave a buyer with no recourse. Guard yourself against this cybercrime with these tips. How cybercrime happens You probably know to be cautious about a suspicious email from an unexpected source asking… Read more »
When thinking of buying a house, a first question is often How much do I need for a down payment? Ideally, a down payment is 10 percent to 20 percent of the purchase price, which will reduce your mortgage and lower your monthly payments. But in reality, many buyers, especially first-timers, don’t have that kind… Read more »
Working with a real estate agent when buying a home will save you both time and money. The more complicated the move, the more helpful an agent can be. Here are seven advantages to having an agent guide you through the home-purchasing process. Time saver. Searching for the right home is time-consuming, and your real… Read more »
Homeowners associations, or HOAs, provoke strong feelings in some residential developments. Avoid conflicts with goodwill gestures such as these. Understanding the HOA’s purpose and structure An HOA is an organization of the owners in a condominium complex, townhome development or subdivision. These organizations allow property owners to govern their neighborhood in a way that protects… Read more »
Closing on a new home may feel like reaching the finish line. But before you kick back and relax, take these important steps to settle into your new place. Matters to take care of before closing After you sign a contract to buy a new home, ask the seller for a report on a year’s… Read more »
