Buying

6 Creative Ways to Afford a Home Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov.Explore seller financing. Continue Reading about Creative Ways to Afford a Home & A Guide for Your Home Search

What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-through It’s guaranteed to be hectic right before closing, but you should always make time for a final walk-through. Your goal is to make sure that your home is in the same condition you expected it would be. Ideally, the sellers already have moved out. This is your last chance to check that appliances are in working condition and that agreed-upon repairs Continue Reading about The FINAL Walk-Though for ANY Purchase

What a Home Inspection Should Cover Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might purchase. For more Continue Reading about Why Get A Home Inspection

How to Find the Perfect Neighborhood Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities — movies, health club, church, etc. — you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering Continue Reading about Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, Continue Reading about 8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR

They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the home buying process.They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time Continue Reading about First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes

Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and Continue Reading about 10 Ways to Prepare for Home Ownership