Buying a home is often the biggest single purchase you’ll ever make. But it isn’t just choosing a home to buy that’s complicated. You’ve got to think through neighborhood issues, size issues, and cost issues. Buying a home can also include legal issues, construction or building concerns, and have serious tax implications. Financing your home purchase is another big topic of interest for most home buyers. From this topic page, you’ll be able to find articles and videos that help you understand how to balance what you want in a home with what you can afford to spend. You’ll also be able to refine your search about buying a home by using the topic cloud on the right navigation.
Buying Real Estate: Decision Points
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-06-10T00:00:00-05:00 June 10th, 2006|
With the real estate market in a slowdown, and interest rates on the rise, what had been a relatively simple decision over the past dozen years or so has become more complicated. What should you consider when you're buying your next home? When you're buying a home you should consider where you are in your life, where the property is located, whether there are amenities nearby and also whether you want to buy a stand alone property.
Fixer-Upper As Primary Residence
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-05-01T00:00:00-05:00 May 1st, 2006|
Is it worth it to buy a fixer-upper townhouse as a primary residence? Will you recapture financially the time and effort you put into repairing a fixer-upper? A fixer-upper may be a good primary residence option for first time home buyers, who may not be able to afford the best home right away. Learn what factors to consider before buying a fixer-upper as a primary residence.
Buying New Ranch Condo
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-04-25T00:00:00-05:00 April 25th, 2006|
One of the benefits to buying into a master planned development is the ease of living in the community. Brand new, well-planned communities have been appreciating faster than older homes in more established communities. But there are still issues to think about before buying into a planned community property.
Buying This Spring: 10 Things You Need To Know
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-04-04T00:00:00-05:00 April 4th, 2006|
Because the market has changed, savvy home buyers need to think about the home buying process a little differently. If you're a buyer right now, there are a lot of changes to be thankful for. Here are 10 things buyers need to know to make the most of today's marketplace.
Buying Unusual Landmark Property
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-04-04T00:00:00-05:00 April 4th, 2006|
Have you seen the show "ReZoned" on HGTV that features unusual landmark properties? How would one ever find a cool landmark property to buy?An experienced real estate agent can help you track down a hard-to-find landmark property.
Lawsuit May Be Only Way Out Of Ownership Dispute
By GlinkAndTamkin| 2006-04-04T00:00:00-05:00 April 4th, 2006|
A home owner helped a friend with bad credit by purchasing a home with him. His name is on the mortgage but the title is in the name of the friend. Now that the friend has turned up missing, what recourse does the home owner have? The buyer needs continue paying the mortgage and possibly file a lawsuit to get the title into his name. He won't be able to take his name off the mortgage unless the loan is paid off or the friend reappears and refinances the property into his name.
Real Estate Contract Determines Sale Status
By GlinkAndTamkin| 2006-03-14T00:00:00-06:00 March 14th, 2006|
Is a home sale still valid when a home burns down? It depends on the real estate contract. The real estate contract may discuss what happens when the home is destroyed prior to the completion of the home sale. The real estate contract may allow the home buyers to receive a new home built using insurance money or it may allow the new owners to receive the insurance money directly. Consulting a real estate attorney to look at the real estate contract will help sort out this home sale.
Including Preapproval Letter With Contract
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-03-07T00:00:00-06:00 March 7th, 2006|
Often you can be preapproved for a mortgage at an amount higher than you are willing to pay. It is good to be clear with your agent, exactly the amount you are hoping to spend, regardless of what your preapproval letter states. Not disclosing exactly what you've been preapproved for will allow you to better negotiate.
Cost Of Condominium Raised At Closing
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-01-16T00:00:00-06:00 January 16th, 2006|
A new condo buyer learns the hard way about working with a builder when buying her first home. At the time of closing, a new $4,000 marble floor appears to have become part of the deal through a mistake of the builder. The condominium buyer wonders if she was taken advantage of as a first time home buyer. It may be difficult to recover any of the costs, and every home buyer should make sure they are informed every step of the way.
Buyer’s Remorse Not Cause For Cancelling Contract
By Ilyce Glink| 2006-01-09T00:00:00-06:00 January 9th, 2006|
A buyer is in the escrow period of purchasing a new home. During this time, prices in the neighborhood have dropped and the buyer feels he no longer has made a good deal. Unfortunately, buyer's remorse does not give you a legal right to bow out of the deal.