Buying a new home can be quite the undertaking, and in many ways, it’s a numbers game. Here are five stats, numbers and percentages you’ll need to be familiar with – to give you that winning edge: Shopping Online Let your fingers do the walking. Did you know that today… read more →
You might be ready to buy a home, but are you armed with the knowledge you need? Do you know about credit score requirements? Are you familiar with flexible standards on Federal Housing Administration loans Whether you are a first time homebuyer or an experienced owner, buying a house requires a “pre”… read more →
One question you hear frequently through your 20s is, “When are you going to buy a house?” Some believe you are missing out on the benefits of homeownership, while others think that with careers constantly taking you to new cities, you are better off renting forever. Many people grapple with… read more →
There’s more that goes into buying a home for the first time besides shopping online for mortgage rates. To find the perfect home, you have to log off of the computer, get in your car and see homes for yourself. One way to do that is visiting open houses. First-time… read more →
You’ve checked out the schools and read neighborhood crime statistics. You’ve timed your commute and figured out where to buy groceries. But what are you missing when it comes to evaluating a new neighborhood? Don’t forget to check these seven neighborhood details before you sign a lease or buy a… read more →
No one can tell you when you’re ready to become a homeowner. But it’s probably fair to say a lot of first-time buyers wish otherwise. Buying a home is often one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. It’s also among the most infrequent. Knowing you’re prepared to buy a… read more →
Congratulations! You decided to accept that new job offer in another city or finally closed on the home of your dreams. And while you’re excited about taking that next step, you’re facing a huge frustration: You need to pack all your belongings into boxes, and lug it into another home. Moving is… read more →
Like the national pastime of baseball, purchasing a home supposedly comes with its own set of “unwritten rules.” Conventional wisdom and considered opinion have long led consumers to believe you never make an offer on the first home you tour, or you always close at the month’s end. The reality… read more →
Love is blind but mortgage companies surely are not. This fact of life is one many newlyweds encounter when hunting for their first home and discover their cumulative credit is far from lovable. So what happens to their “American Dream” when one spouse’s credit is terrific but the other’s isn’t?… read more →
You don’t need to be a world-class negotiator to nab a great deal on your dream home. More often, it’s a matter of knowing what not to say. One errant comment or paperwork misstep can compromise your negotiating position. Playing it close to the vest around home sellers and listing… read more →