Home Buying Articles and
Advice
Buying a home can be one of your most significant
investments in life. Not only are you choosing your dwelling
place, and the place in which you will bring up your family,
you are most likely investing a large portion of your assets
into this venture. The more prepared you are at the outset,
the less overwhelming and chaotic the buying process will
be. The goal of this page is to provide you with detailed
information to assist you in making an intelligent and
informed decision. Remember, if you have any questions about
the process, we're only a phone call or email away!
Benefits of
Owning Your Own Home
•The Best Investment
•Income Tax Savings
•Stable Monthly Housing Costs
•Forced Savings
•Freedom and Individuality
•More Space
Important Things To Avoid Before Buying a Home
•Don't Move Money Around
•The Effect of Changing Jobs
•No Major Purchases of Any Kind
Don't Buy a Car - or Did You Already Buy One?
•When Income Grows and You Want to Buy "Stuff"
•Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments
•How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price
The Business Cycle and Buying a Home
•Recession and Expansion
•Supply and Demand
•Should You Try to "Time the Market"?
Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price
•Determining Your Offer Price
•Comparable Sales in the Public Record
•Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service
•Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions
•Other Factors Influencing Your Offer Price
Major Factors Influencing your Offer Price
•How Property Condition Affects Your Offer
•How Home Improvements Affect Your Offer
•How Market Conditions Affect Your Offer
•How Seller Motivation Affects Your Offer
•The Final Decision on Your Offer Price
Offering to Purchase Real Estate- the Basics
•Introduction and Overview
•Contingencies in a Purchase Offer
•Earnest Money Deposit
•The Closing Date
•Transfer of Possession
Writing an Offer - Safeguards Regarding the Property
•Disclosures From the Seller
•Condition of the Property Upon Transfer
•Inspections You Should Require
•Final Walk-Through Inspection
How Financing Details Affect Your Offer
•Down Payment
•Interest Rates
•Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
•Seller Financing
•Cash Offers
•Other Financing Details in Your Offer
How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer
•Extra Costs for the Seller
•VA and FHA Appraisals
Selecting Service Providers
•You and the Seller Must Agree
•Escrow and Settlement
•Title Insurance
•Termite and Pest Inspection
