Trying to weigh the risks of buying a home is like evaluating the risk/reward of any other major investment. But perhaps more so than with other investments, it’s hard to keep your emotions out of it. Steps: Determine the costs of home ownership (down payment, mortgage payments, insurance, real estate Read more…
Why pay for a home inspection? A home inspection will help buyers uncover defects in a home before they invest. For sellers, getting a home inspection before the home goes on the market will avoid unexpected costs, delays or cancellations after an agreement has been reached. Steps: Include a clause Read more…
If you’re in the market for a motor home or a recreational vehicle (RV), shop around to get the best buy for your recreational dollars. Steps: Determine what type of motor home suits your needs, desires and budget. Consider such factors as size, price, usage (weekend trips or extended travel), Read more…
Buying a vacation home is exciting – but as with any other major purchase, it’s important to think things through carefully. Here are some suggestions to help you make the best buy. Steps: Decide whether this is a place where you’d like to spend every vacation. Base your decision Read more…
When you’ve found a home you love that’s priced within your budget, it’s time to make an offer. To make an offer on a home, you and your real estate agent draw up and give to the seller a document called a purchase contract. The Purchase Contract Your real estate Read more…
Before you start house hunting, you should have a good idea what size and type of mortgage you want and can afford. Thinking about mortgages early on in the process, and getting either prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage, will improve your house-hunting efficiency and your ability to close the Read more…
Few home buyers are wealthy enough to pay the entire purchase price of a home up front. Instead, most pay a down payment, a percentage of the total purchase price of the home, and get a mortgage loan to cover the rest of the expense of buying the home. Mortgages Read more…