Getting Started

Figuring out if you are ready to buy a home by weighing the benefits is exciting. It’s always a stressful time, no matter how well you plan for it. But doing your homework will definitely pay off in the long run.

Finding a Home

Buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming for many first-time home buyers because few home buyers know where or how to begin the search to buy a home. You can cut down on the red tape and save a lot of time if you figure out what you want before meeting with a lender or real estate agent.

Working With Real Estate Agents

A good real estate agent can make or break your deal. You want to hire the best real estate agent you can find, which means hiring an agent who will put your interests first, above his or her own.

Home Buying Mistakes

Home buyers hope they have made the right choice when they find that dream home. After planning, searching and successfully buying that new home, nobody wants to later discover it was all a big mistake. These tips will help home buyers avoid the costly mistakes that often plague the less educated.

Mortgages and Home Financing Tips

Shopping for the best mortgage rate can mean navigating a sea of confusing terminology, and understanding the lingo is only the first step. Buyers should feel comfortable with mortgage lenders and the financing choices selected should fit their individual situation. No two buyers’ financial needs are the same.

Purchase Offers and Negotiations

How you write a winning offer depends on your marketplace and whether it is a seller’s or buyer’s market. Find out what needs to be listed in your offer to give you the edge. As a buyer, how do you write contingencies that will let you cancel the deal and get your deposit back?

Home Inspections and Disclosures

Knowing exactly what you are buying is probably the biggest hurdle to jump in a real estate transaction yet many people gloss over due diligence and end up regretting it. Here is your guide to an assortment of inspections and disclosures to consider and conduct before you hand over cash to close.

Home Design, Improvements and Maintenance

Every home is special because it’s where you live your life. Homes reflect their owner’s personality. Most people want to live in comfort, if not necessarily in style, and many enjoy designing a space. So even though trends come and go, good basic home design can last for years.