Home Buying Articles and Advice

Benefits of Owning Your Own Home

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

Important Things To Avoid Before Buying a Home

• Don't Move Money Around
• The Effect of Changing Jobs
• No Major Purchases of Any Kind

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

• When Income Grows and You Want to Buy "Stuff"
• Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments
• How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price

The Business Cycle and Buying a Home

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

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
• Other Factors Influencing Your Offer Price

Major Factors Influencing 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 Should Require
• Final Walk-Through Inspection

How Financing Details Affect Your Offer

• Down Payment
• Interest Rates
• Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
• Seller Financing
• Cash Offers
• Other Financing Details in Your Offer
   

How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer

• Extra Costs for the Seller
• VA and FHA Appraisals

Selecting Service Providers

• You and the Seller Must Agree
• Escrow and Settlement
• Title Insurance
• Termite and Pest Inspection