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.
The trend in home buying has moved away from large down payments. In fact, today’s average down payment is just 6 percent, with zero-out-of-pocket deals more common than you might think. Accumulating savings while working can be difficult, especially for young first-time buyers with large amounts of student loan debt and beginner-level salaries. Here are… Read more »
If you’re in the market for a new home, should you buy a house before selling your current home? That’s a tough call. Here are some important considerations to help you come up with the answer that’s right for you. Market conditions are very important An important question to answer as you begin considering whether… Read more »
When you close on the purchase of a house, it seems the stream of documents will never end. Closings can easily involve 100 pages of records. It’s a fact that, for most people, their home is their biggest investment. That’s why homeowners should keep important closing documents. After the writer’s cramp eases, what do you… Read more »
Green building is now the name of the game in both new construction and the retrofitting of existing homes. The real estate industry has joined consumers, builders, and local government codes in recognizing the importance of green building and renovating. Here’s what’s happening. Buyer demand for green building Today’s home buyers are savvy about protecting… Read more »
Homebuyers are looking for the perfect house, but which rooms are the most important? Here are the three rooms that will help sell a house. Top Choice: the Kitchen Easily the key room that helps sell a house, the kitchen should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. A great kitchen allows space for the family… Read more »
Everyone shopping for a home looks for a house that best fits their current needs. But savvy shoppers also think ahead to what a property offers future buyers and buy with resale in mind. Here are some considerations to consider so that your dream home doesn’t turn out to be a nightmare to resell down… Read more »
Buying a home for the first time often constitutes a long-awaited dream. After completing a little bit of financial prep work, feel free to enjoy every minute of the house-hunting journey. Here are the top four items to take care of before the fun begins. 1. Your credit score. Lenders typically like a higher score,… Read more »
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Technology has revolutionized the real estate industry. Agents once spent long hours showing homes in person to prospective buyers. Now, thanks to virtual reality home tours, buyers can take their first look at a home from the comfort of their sofas. Let’s take a tour of a new technology that is changing home shopping. Evolution… Read more »
Buying a home is an exciting process requiring lots of decisions. What common mistakes do people make, and how can you avoid them? Here is a list of things to avoid. Glossing over pre-approval. Don’t mistake “pre-approved” for “pre-qualified.” They are not the same. Pre-qualified means the lender might approve a mortgage range, based on… Read more »
Nationally, about a quarter of homes are sold in all-cash transactions. If you have sufficient cash to purchase outright without a mortgage, is this the best choice? Let’s examine the factors to consider. What an all-cash transaction means to the buyer. Buying a house for cash can feel liberating. Cash purchases eliminate not just your… Read more »
When building a new home or remodeling, it’s exciting to choose from all the latest and greatest options — especially when we’re talking about kitchens and bathrooms. But many of today’s “luxuries” can become tomorrow’s nuisances. Here’s a list of high-end items worthy of adding and another list of luxury upgrades you might want to… Read more »
When shopping for a home, you have three options: choose an existing house, buy a tract home or build a custom property to your exact specifications. One of the ways these options differ is in how long the purchase process takes and time until move in. Depending on the option you choose, the time between… Read more »
A growing national trend finds multiple generations of a family living together in one house. Far from a new fad, this way of living is a return to the way things were from America’s earliest days until the early 20th century. Let’s look at the trend, its benefits and how to make it work. Turning… Read more »
The housing crash of 2008 led to a tightening of mortgage lending standards. Now rules are loosening again. What can you expect when applying for a loan to buy a house? Is the Water Just Right? Mortgage lending rules are loosening slightly because of both a slowdown in the number of applicants and increased competition… Read more »
Baby boomers and millennials may not like the same clothing or music, but they’re finding common ground when it comes to real estate. Together they comprise the fastest growing segment of apartment dwellers in America. The younger generation has long found the rental life a convenient bridge between college dorms and homeownership. But why are… Read more »
Buying a first home is a rite of passage. After crunching the numbers, receiving preapproval for a mortgage and finding a trustworthy agent, you’re ready to go house hunting. To make the adventure less daunting, check out these programs to help accomplish your goal of homeownership. FHA Loans The Federal Housing Administration (FHA for short)… Read more »
A hot real estate market is generally great news, signifying a thriving economy and an attractive place to live. But hot markets can also be problematic for certain buyers, particularly those purchasing for the first time. Here’s what the novice needs to keep in mind about a bidding war. Know your budget and stick to… Read more »
When considering the purchase of a home or land with an underground storage tank on site, prospective buyers should proceed with caution. The tanks are expensive to inspect and could pose a health risk. Underground storage tanks are usually filled with oil or fuel and those made before the mid-1980s are known to corrode over… Read more »
Even in a so-called sellers market, it can still be a good time to purchase a home. Here’s why. Are You a Renter? If you’re currently a renter, you’ll likely face an increase in rent at the end of your lease — especially in a tighter market in a robust economy. With interest rates still… Read more »
