Buying a home is often the biggest single purchase you’ll ever make. But it isn’t just choosing a home to buy that’s complicated. You’ve got to think through neighborhood issues, size issues, and cost issues. Buying a home can also include legal issues, construction or building concerns, and have serious tax implications. Financing your home purchase is another big topic of interest for most home buyers. From this topic page, you’ll be able to find articles and videos that help you understand how to balance what you want in a home with what you can afford to spend. You’ll also be able to refine your search about buying a home by using the topic cloud on the right navigation.
Lower House Payment: Buying a House With No Mortgage.
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-09-23T17:00:00-05:00 September 23rd, 2008|
If you had the choice, would you buy a house with no mortgage? Would you pay all cash for a home? What would it take for you to lower your house payments to a level that you could retire and no longer carry a mortgage?
New Home Construction Buyers Feel Satisfied
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-09-12T00:00:00-05:00 September 12th, 2008|
The 2008 J.D. Power and Associates survey of new home construction buyers showed an increase in home purchase satisfaction from 2007. A J.D. Power spokeswoman says buyers get more for their money because home builders include once optional features such as granite countertops as standard. Builders are finding out how to satisfy customers and stay alive in this market.
Canceling A Real Estate Contract Leads to Lawsuit
By GlinkAndTamkin| 2008-09-11T00:00:00-05:00 September 11th, 2008|
A home buyer decides to drop financing for a new home purchase after discovering high financing fees. He's canceling the real estate contract but the sellers have threatened to sue. How can the home buyer break the real estate contract but not be sued? Ilyce suggests the buyer contact a real estate attorney.
Home Buyer Or Home Seller Should Offer Real Estate Contract
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-09-11T00:00:00-05:00 September 11th, 2008|
A home seller asks whether he should approach a home buyer with the asking price for his home. The seller says the real estate agent wants him to approach the buyer. Ilyce asks whether the real estate agent represents both the buyer and the seller, as a dual agent. Ilyce also discusses why the real estate agent's proposal may reveal strange circumstances around the home sale.
Home Buyers Search Real Estate Online
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-08-28T00:00:00-05:00 August 28th, 2008|
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 don't have complete information on every listing.
When You’re the Mortgage Lender
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-08-21T00:00:00-05:00 August 21st, 2008|
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 mortgage loan paperwork if he decides to hold the mortgage. The home owner has some options so that he can reward the caregiver and protect his interests.
First Time Home Buying Difficult With No Down Payment
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-08-07T00:00:00-05:00 August 7th, 2008|
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 options does the first time home buyer have without money for a down payment?
Design Your Own House
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-08-04T15:57:06-05:00 August 4th, 2008|
Architect Sarah Susanka talks about designing your own house with an architect. When you design your own house you should design it for you, not for resale. What's the best way to design your own house?
How Much Does An Architect Charge?
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-08-04T15:52:47-05:00 August 4th, 2008|
Architect Sarah Susanka describes how architects charge for their work. The more experience an architect has the more he or she will charge a client. Younger architects will cost less but can be very talented. Learn about how much architects charge and why.
Buying A Home With A Graveyard
By Ilyce Glink| 2008-05-28T00:00:00-05:00 May 28th, 2008|
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.