It’s difficult to call a house a home if it lacks creature comforts. Without the right furniture and accessories a house is just an empty shell. Nevertheless, deciding how to furnish a home can be intimidating when you’re staring at blank walls. Here are six tips to help furnish your new home.… read more →
The doors, the windows, and most likely the azalea bush by the driveway—you’d expect those to stay with the new house you just bought, and you’d be right. But what stays in the house when you buy it? Who claims the washer and dryer? Will the sellers bequeath the lawn mower? What… read more →
Buying a house is slightly more complex when looking for a place to raise a family. A single person may be willing to settle for a smaller home or one in a less attractive location. It could be difficult, however, to raise children in such an environment—they need a place not only… read more →
Homeowners who decide they’re ready to become move-up buyers face a chicken-or-egg dilemma: Should they see their current home first and then buy another, or buy a new one and then sell? The answer depends on several factors, including your local market conditions, your financing options and your feelings about potentially… read more →
Homeowners in cold-weather climates—such as the Northeast, Midwest, and mountain areas—face icy conditions, blizzards and other cold-weather storms. Beyond requiring a quick trip to the convenience store for milk and bread, severe cold weather can threaten your home’s structure and your safety. Therefore, it’s important to take measures and invest in… read more →
VA appraisals are a critical part of the 70-year-old VA loans benefit program. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. VA appraisals help ensure veterans purchase homes that are safe, structurally sound and salable. There are two elements: a valuation of the property and an assessment of property conditions. We’ll take a… read more →
When involved in the sale of a home, it’s crucial for the buyer and seller to understand the details of the real estate contract before it’s signed and, in particular, to recognize the points at which the contract can be cancelled without penalty. A real estate contract, once signed by… read more →
Before purchasing a house, it’s important to hire a home inspector to evaluate the home from bottom to top—including the attic. This often-overlooked storage space can provide visual cues to potential problems in the safety and structural integrity of a home. If there is damage present, the inspection can help you determine… read more →
When you apply for a loan,you need to submit a ton of documentation and answer a bunch of questions from your lender. Turning over all this information about your personal finances and financial history may seem intrusive, but it makes sense: The lender needs to gather all the information they can to decide on the… read more →
There’s plenty to worry about when you’re ready to purchase a home. From concerns over possible leaks in the roof, to worrying about the age of the pipes in the bathroom—or whether a crack in the wall is a sign of a larger issue—there are plenty of items to fret about. With the structure… read more →