Home Buying Articles & Advice

The articles below are set up to be a tutorial, taking you step-by-step through the home buying process.

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

Things Not To Do Before Buying a Home
   No Major Purchases of Any Kind  
   Don't Move Money Around  
   Should You Change Jobs?

Reasons to Delay Buying a Home

Why Buying a Home is a Good Idea
   The Best Investment
   Income Tax Savings
   Stable Monthly Housing Costs
   Forced Savings
   Freedom and Individuality

The Business Cycle and Buying a Home
   Recession and Expansion
   Supply and Demand
   Should You Try to "Time the Market"?

What's More important -  Buying a House?  Or a Home?

Why Search for A Realtor?
   Finding an Agent by "Accident"
   Listing Agents vs. Selling (Buyer's) Agents 
   Should You Call the Listing Agent?
   Agent's Advertising - Is the Purpose What You Think?
   Finding Your Own Realtor
   Some Basics About the Search
   How to Conduct the Search
   Interviewing A Good Realtor
   When the Agent Asks You for an Appointment

Looking Ahead - Buyer's Remorse

Buying a Home With Resale Value - Location
   Location, Location, Location?
   Location - Local Community, Town or City
   Location - the Local Neighborhood
   Location - the Residential Neighborhood

Buying a Home With Resale Value - the House
   A Home With a View?
   Lot Choice and Landscaping
   House Size
   Bedrooms & Bathrooms
   Closets, Garage & Laundry
   Kitchen
   Fireplaces
   Swimming Pool?

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

Factors Affecting 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 May Require
   Final Walk-Through Inspection

How Financing Details Affect Your Offer
   Down Payment
   Interest Rate
   Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
   Seller Financing
   Cash Offers

How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer
   Extra Costs for the Seller
   More Detailed (and expensive) Appraisals

You and the Seller Must Agree on Some Services
   Settlement and Escrow
   Title Insurance Companies
   Termite and Pest Inspections

Buyer's Remorse- Did You Make a Huge Mistake?