Home Buyers Search Real Estate Online
Many potential home buyers start their real estate search online. Listed here are several websites where home buyers can search for real estate. But despite the proliferation of online sites where home buyers can search for their dream home, they still lack uniformity and even the best websites…
Seller Financing Deadline Not Met
What is the consequence of not meeting a deadline to repay seller financing for a home? In a well-executed seller financing scenario, the buyer and seller sign a promissory note that details the terms of the seller financing. Can the owner who financed the home take it back if the deadline is not…
Real Estate Agent For Home Buyers
What qualities do the best real estate agents have when working with home buyers? While home buyers often perceive the real estate purchase process as unpleasant, a great real estate agent can change that. The best real estate agents work with home buyers to help them figure out what they want and…
When You're the Mortgage Lender
A Georgia home owner inherited a house in California from an elderly relative. The home owner wants to reward the relative's caregiver by selling her the home despite her bad credit. The home owner says he's willing to be the mortgage lender to the caregiver. He wants to find out who can do the…
Home Seller And Buyer: Negotiate Lower Real Estate Commission With Agent
Learn how to negotiate a lower real estate commission when using a real estate agent. A recent survey from Consumer Reports indicates that real estate agents are open to negotiating lower real estate commissions. In some cases, the buyer's agent and the seller's agent split the real estate…
First Time Home Buying Difficult With No Down Payment
A self-employed first time home buyer asks Ilyce for advice about buying a home without a down payment. The first time home buyer has a great credit score but no money for a down payment. Many non-profit programs that used to help first time home buyers with a down payment have gone away. What…
What To Expect From A Home Inspection
Home inspector Jamie Dunsing describes what to expect during a home inspection. You should get a home inspection before buying or selling a home. Find out what issues a home inspection can bring to your attention.
A buyer asks whether he can cancel a short sale purchase. He doesn't want to lose his cash in escrow if he cancels the short sale. He needs to check the details of his contract before canceling the short sale. To find out how to cancel a short sale he should contact a real estate attorney.
Who Has Possession At Closing?
Who legally owns a home on the day of closing? The party who possesses the home on the day of closing varies depending on where you live. If a seller stays in a home beyond the day of closing, the buyer should charge the seller substantial rent to assure the buyer that the seller will move out in a…
Think Like A Buyer To Sell Home Faster
Are you selling your house? When selling your house you have to think like a buyer. Perhaps these house selling tips can help you sell your house faster.
Mold In Purchased "As-Is" Home
A homeowner asks about mold in a house she bought in "as is" condition. Who can she hold accountable for the house mold? Should the real estate agent or home inspector have pointed out the house mold? Does she have recourse for house mold when she buys a home "as is?"
Selling Or Buying A Home: Finding The Best Real Estate Agent
Selling or buying a home is a stressful experience, and it's important to find the real estate agent who suits your needs. Real estate agents say someone with experience and knowledge of the neighborhood is important whether you're selling or buying a home. Being able to trust your real estate agent…
Buying A Home With Potential Water Damage
Water erosion can turn into water damage. Before you buy a home you should check for water damage and the potential for water damage caused by water eroding away land. Sometimes when a home has water damage it may need other repairs. Is there a way that the home could be sold despite the risk of…
Getting A Good Home Mortgage Rate
A parent asks about selling a property to her daughter who has good credit. She wonders about home mortgage rates and whether they will fall. Even if the daughter sees high home mortgage rates now she can refinance in the future.
Real Estate Agent Should Return Down Payment Money
After a home sale falls through, a buyer asks about getting earnest money back from a real estate agency. The real estate agency cashed the earnest money check. What can the buyer do to get her earnest money back?
MLS Listing Shows Time On Market
A Baltimore reader asks about how long his home has to be out of an MLS, or multiple listing service, to get a new listing. Each area's MLS has its own listing rules. Aside from adjusting the MLS listing, Here are a few ways to help sell your home in a down market.
Contract Termination With Structural Damage
A home buyer asks about breaking a home sale contract after he learns about a cracked plaster wall. The seller wants to fix the problem but the buyer still wants to terminate the contract. The buyer does not want to fulfill the contract and buy the home with the structural issue, even after it is…
Down Payment For Buying A Home As A Gift
When you're selling a home and a buyer wants to buy the property as a gift is there anything you need to watch out for? Should the earnest money, which may become a down payment, be handled in a special fashion? It's critical that the transaction be handled with care to ensure estate planning and…
What are good reasons to buy a home? Saving on taxes is not a good sole reason to buy a home. Here are several financial and personal reasons that will help you decide whether to move to buy a home.
Buying A Home With A Graveyard
A home buyer wonders about buying a foreclosed property near a cemetery. Could buying a home with a perceived defect lead to a lower price? Ilyce discusses pros and cons of buying a home in a less desirable location like near a cemetery or with a problem that you may be able to fix.
Contract Risks With Houses For Sale By Owner
A seller says he's selling his house for sale by owner. He wonders about contract risks when selling houses for sale by owner. The seller says the buyer offered to buy the home without putting money down and without seeing the home first. Sellers should have a real estate attorney help with…
No Reimbursement For Home Inspection
A buyer says he paid for a home inspection and his attorney shared the results with the seller's lawyer. The buyer can no longer afford to buy the home and wants to be reimbursed for the home inspection. He paid for the home inspection as part of his due diligence and the next potential buyer will…
Closing Date Change Could Cause Loss Of Earnest Money
When a seller changes the closing date and the buyer decides to pursue other properties, can the seller keep the buyer's earnest money? Does the seller have a right to the earnest money when the contract has been canceled and the closing will no longer occur? And can the seller lay claim to earnest…
Mortgage Requirements Stricter For First Time Home Buyers
Mortgage requirements have become stricter for first time home buyers. Lenders have tightened credit requirements for first time home buyers, making it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage loan. To qualify for a mortgage loan, first time home buyers need a credit score of at least 660 unless…
Buying A Home Without Adequate Income
Without adequate income, you can't qualify to get a mortgage loan to buy a home. In addition to income, lenders want to see that you have a good credit score before giving you a mortgage loan. Once you've got the income, a good credit history and credit score, you can start looking for a house to…
