Home Buying Tips

• Should You Buy A Home Through A Real Estate Agent?
  One of the first things many people do when beginning their search for a new home is enlist the help of a real estate agent. It is the realtor's job, after all, to help you find the home that is perfect for you. Continue article...
• Pros and cons of old and new homes
  When deciding between an old or new home, the list of pros and cons is lengthy. Continue article...
• Do You Know The Real Price Of Your ARM?
  Adjustable-rate mortgages are complicated instruments. No one characteristic fully describes one. Continue article...
• Why Buy a New Home? (Or, Why NOT Buy a Re-sale Home?)
  There are many factors one must consider when deciding between the purchase of a new or re-sale home. 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...
• How to protect yourself in a real estate transaction
  It's no wonder that buying or selling a home ranks high on the list of the most stress-provoking events one can experience, up there with the death of a loved one and divorce. There's a lot at stake financially when you buy or sell a home. A good or bad outcome can affect your net worth, as well as your sense well being. Continue article...