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.
New Construction Condo Change Could Affect Earnest Money
By GlinkAndTamkin| 2008-03-27T00:00:00-05:00 March 27th, 2008|
When you buy a condo or a home as part of a new construction development the developer will provide you with a contract outlining the specifications of the property you're buying. What if your condo then does not meet those specifications? Can you break the contract and let the bank keep the earnest money? Does the lender have a right to sue the buyer in this case?
Condominium Contract May Allow Builder To Keep Earnest Money
By GlinkAndTamkin| 2008-03-12T00:00:00-05:00 March 12th, 2008|
When you put earnest money down on a condominium with the intention of buying it you risk losing that money. Even if you can't sell your current condominium, that doesn't mean you'll be able to ignore the terms of the contract. It may mean that the builder will keep your earnest money even if you don't end up buying the condo.
Buying A Home In Need Of Remodel
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-03-07T00:00:00-06:00 March 7th, 2008|
A reader asks about buying a home that needs remodeling. He wonders about the costs of the home and remodeling it. How much less should the buyer offer for the home that will be remodeled, if it's facing foreclosure?
Sheriff’s Sale Looms Over Home Purchase
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-02-26T00:00:00-06:00 February 26th, 2008|
A home buyer purchases a home that's set to be sold in a sheriff's sale. The timing of the home purchase and the sheriff's sale conflict. The home buyer wonders if there's a way to save the home from the sheriff's sale.
What’s A Town House?
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-01-14T01:00:54-06:00 January 14th, 2008|
Town houses are another option when you want to buy a home. They tend to be larger than a condo or co-op but likely still have a homeowners association. Make sure you understand the terms of the sale as a home buyer.
What’s A Co-Op?
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-01-13T23:41:09-06:00 January 13th, 2008|
Another home buying option is purchasing a co-op. Buying a co-op is actually buying shares into a corporation that owns the building. Co-op boards control who can buy a home in their buildings.
Buying A New Or Used Home
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-01-03T22:22:38-06:00 January 3rd, 2008|
When you're in the market to buy a home you should ask yourself if you want a new or existing home. If you want to buy a new home make sure to research the developer. If you're buying an existing home you may face renovation costs.
Finding a Home on the Internet
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-01-03T17:55:34-06:00 January 3rd, 2008|
More than 70 percent of Americans start their house hunt using the Internet. When you want to buy a home, the Internet can be good for researching neighborhoods and schools. The Internet lacks the personal touch of dealing with an agent, the feel of walking around a neighborhood and some of the information is outdated or inaccurate.
Buying A Home With A Broker Or Agent
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-01-02T23:56:36-06:00 January 2nd, 2008|
Once you have decided to buy a home, you may decide you want to work with a broker or an agent. Brokers and agents provide a variety of services to home buyers. These include education, legwork and guidance.
The Cycle Of Life And Home Buying
By Ilyce Glink| 2007-12-29T19:35:51-06:00 December 29th, 2007|
Buying a home is not just about bricks and mortar. Home buyers should think about where they are in the cycle of life: single, married, divorced, with kids, without. The shape of your family affects your needs as a home buyer.