March 11, 2010
- Why Rent When Home Prices Are So Low?
Why Rent When Home Prices Are So Low?
Mortgage rates are at record lows. Home prices are at record lows, and the federal government is offering tax credits for purchasing a home.
Why then should anyone rent?
Home prices and mortgage rates have dropped so much that the cost to own and maintain a house is only a [...]
February 9, 2010
- First Time Home Buyer Program Can Save You Money
First Time Home Buyer Program Can Save You Money
If you're renting a home, you probably can’t wait for the time when you can get a place that belongs to you. Now, thanks to first time home buyer programs, it is easier to buy your first home than you may think.
First time home buyer programs were [...]
January 6, 2010
- Is Now the Time to Buy a New Home?
Is Now the Time to Buy a New Home?
We've asked this question before. But now, with the stimulus package being offered by the federal government for first time home buyers, home sales have been increasing on a regular basis. This, coupled with some of the lowest home prices in decades, and the competitive mortgage rates hovering [...]
December 3, 2009
- Tips for Buying a Foreclosure
Tips for Buying a Foreclosure
Foreclosures are dominating the housing market. Right now, there are 1.5 million such homes for sale, and more are expected to be available soon. That provides both opportunities and pitfalls for bargain hunters. Here are a few tips for making sure you don't get taken when buying a foreclosure.
1 [...]
November 6, 2009
- 10 Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make
10 Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make
Smart Money lists ten mistakes first-time home buyers make as follows:
1. Not knowing how much house you can afford.
2. Assuming foreclosures are great deals.
3. Letting your true feelings show.
4. Failing to find a good buyer's agent.
5. Underestimating the costs of owning a home.
6. Failing to budget for [...]
October 29, 2009
- Buying A Home vs Renting
Buying A Home vs Renting
If you're renting a home (as opposed to owning) is it cheaper, or more expensive? After all, if you're renting, you don't have repair costs, homeowner's insurance, mortgage payments, interest, and possibly private mortgage insurance.
Buying a home can also be a lot of work, keeping in mind the costs [...]
October 27, 2009
- Title and Escrow Services: Shop Around
Title and Escrow Services: Shop Around
When it comes to real estate, just about everything is negotiable, so don't ever let anyone tell you that services like title insurance and closing costs (escrow services) aren't.
Title insurance companies are hired, in part, to issue title insurance protection for home buyers and lenders. Lenders require the service to [...]
September 21, 2009
- Buying a Home - Where to Start
Buying a Home - Where to Start
Thinking of buying a home and don’t know where or how to start? What do you look for? How do you know you aren't paying too much? Was that the best deal you could have gotten for your money? How do you get the best deal? How much money [...]
September 15, 2009
- Questions To Answer Before Buying A House
Questions To Answer Before Buying A House
If you're buying a home for the first time you should take the time to learn something about real estate. Make sure you understand the terms of real estate contracts and mortgages. Don’t buy a home that costs more than you can afford to spend.
Make sure the house doesn’t [...]
September 10, 2009
- 2 Reasons to Buy a Home Now
2 Reasons to Buy a Home Now
While some economists believe home prices will remain low for the foreseeable future, other buyer-friendly incentives could disappear soon. If you've been on the fence about buying a home, here are some reasons why now might be the best time ever to buy:
•Record low interest rates. The average rate [...]
August 25, 2009
- Buying a Foreclosure? The Top 5 Things to Look For
Buying a Foreclosure? The Top 5 Things to Look For
If you're thinking of buying a foreclosure, there are some things you need to look for before you enter into a purchase agreement. Kathleen Kuhn, President of HouseMaster, one of the largest home inspection franchisors in the country, provides some tips for how to spot a [...]
August 13, 2009
- What Is A Short Sale?
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What Is A Short Sale?When home hunting, you many run across what is known as a short sale.
A short sale is a property that is being offered at a discounted price to buyers because the seller has fallen behind in their payments on the mortgage and they need to sell [...]
July 31, 2009
- How to Buy a House
How to Buy a House
First time home buyers have a million questions, and luckily, CNN financial editor and author Gerri Willis has a million answers. Here's what you need to know before you buy a home. (Video runs 3:45)Have additional questions not covered in this video? Use the comment link below to ask… your email [...]
July 23, 2009
- Homebuyers Need To Nail Best Offer Price
Homebuyers Need To Nail Best Offer Price
Bargains abound in today's real estate market, and buyers rule — but not necessarily lowball offers.
Steep price declines are driving a selling process now more like 2005's boom market than a bust. Priced-right properties at the lower end of the market get multiple offers and [...]
July 21, 2009
- Tips Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Consider
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Tips Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Consider1 - How Much Home Can You Afford? As a first-time home buyer, it’s important to have an accurate idea of how much money you can borrow for your new home and most importantly, how much you can afford. Sometimes those two aren’t [...]
July 6, 2009
- Pay Off Credit Cards Before Buying a House?
Pay Off Credit Cards Before Buying a House?
A reader (we'll call him Robert to protect the real identity of this comment) wrote in to ask:
Q - "I am thinking of buying a house. I have a credit card with a balance of approximately $3,000. Should I pay this off before applying for a mortgage, or [...]
June 30, 2009
- Got $2,500? Buy a House
Got $2,500? Buy a House
Rock-bottom interest rates and an $8,000 tax credit make a home possible for many first-time buyers — with no trick mortgages or financial gymnastics required.
With that tax incentive, average credit and less than $2,500 in savings, it's possible to buy a $150,000 starter home for about $1,000 a month, taxes and [...]
May 29, 2009
- Why Now is the Best Time to Buy a Home Ever
Why Now is the Best Time to Buy a Home Ever
It's no surprise to hear the term, "It's a Buyer's Market." Buy now and get the first time home buyer tax credit! Best time to buy a home, EVER!" So what's fueling this push to buy a home? What makes this the best time ever? [...]
May 19, 2009
- Buying and Selling a Home
Buying and Selling a Home
Buying and selling a home in this real estate market is not for the faint of heart!
In today’s fluctuating financial climate, there are many areas that one needs to examine before they buy or sell a home.
For instance, if you're thinking of buying a foreclosed house, you must ask not only [...]
February 2, 2009
- Home Buying: When is the Best Time?
Home Buying: When is the Best Time?
One of the questions we are asked most often is, "when will be the right time to think about buying a home?
The answer is right now, if possible, but let's expand on that a little further.
One of the main concerns of those looking to buy a property is [...]
