Home Buying Tips

• 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 sell home without real estate agent
  Have you noticed when you are on an airplane, the stranger sitting next to you will often reveal secrets he probably wouldn't tell his closest friends? Continue article...
• Most Common Mortgage Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
  The Canadian Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders conducted the annual survey with sponsorship from the federal government’s housing arm. 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...
• What to consider when reviewing a home purchase offer
  A home purchase agreement is a complicated legal document. It will include all of the terms and conditions of the sale, most of which are negotiable. Some sellers focus on the price the buyer offers, minimizing the other terms and conditions. This approach can lead to trouble. Continue article...
• How to buy profitable real estate
  Are you the adventurous type of home buyer who wants to make a profitable purchase? Or are you looking for a near-perfect "model home" acquisition where all you have to do is turn the key in the front door and move in? Continue article...