Home Buying Tips

• Low price not always best value
  A home at a low price may be no bargain at all if the maintenance costs are prohibitive Continue article...
• Mortgage disclosure amendments do more harm than good
  "The grapevine says that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seriously considering a proposal by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) for amending mortgage disclosure requirements. Is their proposal good for borrowers?" Continue article...
• How much work should you do before selling?
  Recently a couple that owned a home in Berkeley, Calif., decided to move to neighboring Piedmont. They started their search by visiting Sunday open houses. It was quite apparent to them which listings had been prepared for sale and which ones had not. They were invariably drawn to listings that were charming, clean, and uncluttered. Continue article...
• Taking possession of home before closing gets risky
  Rarely do you find a home to buy that's in exactly the condition you'd like it to be. Even if the home is new, relatively new or well-maintained, you may want to make changes to the decor so that it suits your style preferences and works with your possessions. Continue article...
• When is the best time to sell?
  Many people think that spring is the best time to sell a home. Continue article...
• How To Plan Custom Home and Cut The Cost
  Last spring I participated in an "Ask the Experts" panel in Sarasota, Fla. Afterwards, a woman in the audience asked me to review her plans for a new beach house overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Continue article...