Hire Real Estate Agent For New Construction Home Buying
When you're buying a new construction home you may not think of hiring a real estate agent to help you. But working with an experienced real estate agent makes sense even for new construction. Can you add an agent to the process after you've started your home buying? In a down economy a developer…
Home Values Decline, But Buyers Struggle To Afford Home Buying
With grocery stores advertising good deals, it's just one sign of retailers helping consumers. A recent study released by the Center for Housing Policy compared housing affordability against how much people earn. The study found that while the home prices have declined, many people still cannot…
Credit Crisis, Recession Eases With Home Buying And Jobs
How can you tell when the recession has eased? Some of it is just a feeling, such as when the news doesn't sound as bad as it used to. Other signs of the recession lifting include an uptick in home buying at higher market values and a decline in customer service. Finally, people's worries about…
Can Real Estate Agent Help With Foreclosure Home Purchase?
Do you need a real estate agent when you're buying a foreclosure? If you already have a property in mind and have a real estate attorney, you probably don't need a real estate agent to help you with a foreclosure home purchase. The lender who's selling the foreclosure may be working with a real…
Home Renting In Short Term, Buying For Long Term
With mortgage rates at record lows and the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit many Americans are thinking about buying a home. What should you consider when you're buying a home? What financial calculations could you make to decide between buying and renting? While renting does appear more cost…
Tax Credit Eligibility Depends On New Construction Completion
You may decide this is the year to buy a home so you can take advantage of the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit. Can you get the first time home buyer tax credit if you buy new construction? Can you close on the mortgage loan prior to the completion of your new construction home? No, you…
Home Inspection Reimbursement For Inadequate Seller Disclosure
When you're buying a home it's up to you as the buyer to search the address in public records. While seller disclosure does include material defects, it doesn't necessarily include crime disclosure. If you pay for a home inspection and later decide to cancel your home buying contract can you get…
Partnership Agreement Ensures Estate Planning Wishes
When you're buying a home with a partner but you're not married you may be concerned about protecting each of your interests in the property. A partnership agreement drawn up by a knowledgeable estate planning attorney can help. The partnership agreement will spell out who gets what in terms of…
How To Buy A Home For Less Than Listing Price
Since the collapse of the housing market many buyers have started to make low-ball offers when buying a home. How can you buy a home with an offer that's less than listing price? You have to do your research -- look closely at foreclosures, short sales and comparable properties before making an…
Contract States What Appliances Come With Home Buying
When you're buying a home you decide you want to include certain appliances in your home purchase. To ensure that you get the appliances you want they should be listed in your home buying contract. If the appliances, such as a pellet stove, aren't listed in the contract, the seller may be able to…
Use Developer's Mortgage Lender Or Your Own?
Because the mortgage market is very local, it's tough to say what lender will offer the better deal. Developer of new construction homes often work with lenders to put together long-term financing packages for buyers and could be a viable option. The way to get the best deal is to call three or four…
Double Property Taxes On Discounted Home
High property taxes are a red flag for future buyers no matter where you live. This prospective home buyer is interested in a home between two taxing bodies, so property taxes are double what the neighbors pay. The tax authorities in both communities could determine whether there's an error in how…
Don’t Buy A Home You Cannot Afford
If the house you want is more than you can afford, you’ll need to reevaluate the kind of home you’d like to buy. Having bad credit makes it even more difficult, because high interest rates will put that dream home even more out of reach. Working on your credit score will put you in a position to…
Finding Good Allies In Home Buying
To have the best home buying experience possible, you’ll want a good agent, attorney and lender on your side. The way to find your home-buying team is through referrals from friends and relatives. You can find an attorney to assist with your home purchase through your local bar association.
Making Sure Your New Neighborhood Is Safe
When moving to a new neighborhood, you can you ensure it’s safe? Consulting with locals in the neighborhood will give you some insight to the area and its safety. If you’re unsure of a neighborhood’s safety, renting before buying could ensure you don’t get stuck in a location you don’t love.
Buyer Protected By Ratified Contract?
A home buyer had an offer accepted to purchase a condo with a ratified contract. After accepting, the seller wants to counter the buyer’s offer. Whether both sides signed the contract and what they signed to will direct this buyer on how to proceed.
Agents know that, even if they work very hard, a sale won’t always go through. It’s a thoughtful gesture to thank an agent for their diligent work and to ensure them you’ll call them when it’s time to buy again. Here are a couple of appropriate gifts to thank your great real estate agent.
Raise Credit Score Before Refinancing For Better Rate
If your home loan has a high interest rate because of a low credit score, you’ll want to take time to raise it before refinancing for a better rate. Raising your credit score can be done my paying all of your bills on time for up to a year. You can stay on top of your credit history by getting your…
Pinpointing The Right Time To Buy
How do you know when interest rates and home prices will align and make the perfect time to buy a home? If you’ve found the right house, in the right neighborhood for the right price, it’s always a good time to buy. An agent can help you find a home that will make you confident you’ve bought at just…
Final Walk-Through Will Avoid Surprises After Closing
Doing a final walk-through of a purchased home will ensure a buyer that the home is in the same condition as when the offer was accepted. If problems are found in the final walk through, the buyer will be able to negotiate a settlement at the closing for any new damage. Without a final walk through…
Determining Amount Of Down Payment
To avoid PMI, or private mortgage insurance, you’ll need to make a down payment of 20 percent of a home purchase. If you’ve already avoided paying PMI, is it worth it to make a down payment more than 20 percent? Determining the best amount for your down payment means figuring out what the best…
Decision To Buy Or Rent Depends On Location And Cost
Deciding whether it’s a smarter financial move to rent or to buy often depends on where you’re located and the cost of property in the area. If you’re going to move often, buying a home might not be as lucrative, considering the costs of buying and selling. One good option for buying could be a…
Helping Daughter Purchase Home
Homeowners can sell their property for the amount they wish, but if it is sold for much less than it is worth, it will need to be determined if that difference is a loan or a gift. Giving cash or a home itself as a gift can trigger taxes from the IRS. Lending, rather than gifting, the cash to buy a…
Fixing Home Inspection Issues When Home Buying
When you're buying a home, a home inspector will go over the property with you to point out any issues that may require home repair. It's a good idea to walk around with the home inspector during a home inspection because he may make comments that won't appear on the final report. After you know the…
Real Estate Agent Grants Home Buyer Access Too Soon
What can you do if you're selling a home and the buyer moves in before closing, on the advice of the real estate agent? At a minimum, you can file a complaint against the real estate agent with the licensing board and the managing broker of the real estate firm. You should also look at the home sale…
