Advice For Buyers

               Home Buying Articles & Advice

 

Don't Buy a Car - or Did You Already Buy One?

The Desire to Spend Money Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price

Things Not To Do Before Buying a Home

No Major Purchases of Any Kind Don't Move Money Around Should You Change Jobs?

Reasons to Delay Buying a Home

New to the Area Uncertain Job Future Marital Problems

Why Buying a Home is a Good Idea

The Best Investment Income Tax Savings Stable Monthly Housing Costs Forced Savings Freedom and Individuality

The Business Cycle and Buying a Home

Recession and Expansion Supply and Demand Should You Try to "Time the Market"?

What's More Important - Buying a House? Or a Home?

A House A Home

Why You Should Search for Your Realtor

Finding Your Realtor by "Accident" Listing Agents vs. Selling (Buyer's) Agents Should You Call the Listing Agent? Agent's Advertising - Is the Purpose What You Think? Using Your Own Realtor Finding Your Realtor Some Basics on Shopping for an Agent How to Conduct the Search Interviewing A Good Realtor When a Realtor Asks to Meet With You

Looking Ahead - Buyer's Remorse

Write Down Advantages and Disadvantages Realize There May Be Moments of Doubt

Buying a Home With Resale Value - Location

Location, Location, Location? Location - Local Community, Town or City Location - the Local Neighborhood Location - the Residential Neighborhood

Buying a Home With Resale Value - the House

A Home With a View? Lot Choice and Landscaping House Size Bedrooms & Bathrooms Closets, Garage & Laundry Kitchen Fireplaces Swimming Pool?

Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price

Determining Your Offer Price Comparable Sales in the Public Record Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions

Factors Affecting Your Offer Price

How Property Condition Affects Your Offer How Home Improvements Affect Your Offer How Market Conditions Affect Your Offer How Seller Motivation Affects Your Offer The Final Decision on Your Offer Price

Offering to Purchase Real Estate- the Basics

Introduction and Overview Contingencies in a Purchase Offer Earnest Money Deposit The Closing Date Transfer of Possession

Writing an Offer - Safeguards Regarding the Property

Disclosures From the Seller Condition of the Property Upon Transfer Inspections You May Require Final Walk-Through Inspection

How Financing Details Affect Your Offer

Down Payment Interest Rate Closing Costs and Financing Incentives Seller Financing Cash Offer Other Financing Details

How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer

Non-Allowable Fees FHA and VA Appraisals

Service Providers When Buying a Home

Escrow and Settlement Title Insurance Companies Termite and Pest Inspections