Home Buying Tips

• 10 Benefits Of Buying At The End Of The Year
  In addition to low interest rates, there are other benefits to buying at the end of the year, including: Continue article...
• What Type of Real Estate Makes the Best Investment?
  During the economic downturn of the early 1990s, a home in the Crocker Highlands area of Oakland, Calif., sold twice in two years. The house did not change substantially during this time, nor did its price. But, average prices in the neighborhood dropped about 15 percent during the same time. Continue article...
• What is the disadvantage of an older home?
  Maintenance will be higher on an older house if major components such as the plumbing, heating and electrical systems, roof, major appliances or drainage system need repair or replacement. Before you purchase the home, find out the age of the major systems. Have they been updated or are they original? Ask the sellers to provide a list of repairs and modifications they have made to these systems, including the date the repairs were made. Also, find out how much it costs to heat the house and if it is insulated. Another consideration is that most older homes often do not meet modern building code requirements. Older houses can be updated or retrofitted to conform to current code—but the price can be steep. Also, older houses may contain materials that are hazardous, such as asbestos or lead. Continue article...
• Is private mortgage insurance good or bad?
  Unless you are involved with real estate you probably have never heard of PMI. No. It's not a serious disease. In fact, PMI can be extremely beneficial if you are a "cash challenged" home buyer without a sufficient down payment. Continue article...
• "First-Hand Advice" Builders Offer Five Tips For Buyers
  When it comes to home sales and construction, it is certainly the builder's responsibility to make sure the process goes smoothly. Continue article...
• Back out legally
  When can I pull out of a purchase contract? Continue article...