The Experience You Need
When you buy a home, you start by making an offer to the seller. It can be for any amount that you’d like (although going too far below the asking price is unlikely to get you a response). But an offer is about more than just the price. You can also put in...
You make a bid on a home and you hear back from the seller: They didn’t say, “No,” but they didn’t say, “Yes,” either. Instead, you got a counteroffer. What does that mean for you? A deal isn’t a contract without both offer and acceptance No contract is valid until...
People can be very funny creatures, full of biases and superstitions -- and real estate agents are fully aware of how that can translate into a lost sale when it comes to homebuyers. That’s one of the many reasons that home sellers are required, by law, to disclose...
A title search is an important part of buying your home. You may wonder why it’s necessary, and the answer is simple. A title search looks for title defects. There are many different problems and mistakes that a title search can reveal. Some may include: Illegal deeds...
When you made an offer on a house that caught your eye, the seller wanted 5% in earnest money. The house was just over $300,000, so you gave them around $10,000 as, essentially, a down payment to show that your offer was serious. While that was true at the time and...
Sometimes there can be surprises in store when you find the home of your dreams. If you do not spot them soon enough, they could cost you dearly. What measures can you take to reduce the risk of a nasty shock after you have signed on the dotted line? Are there any...
You find a home that looks perfect. The walk-through goes well, the price is right and you don’t see any major defects. You know you’re going to have an inspection done anyway, just in case, but should you also call a surveyor? Most people think that a surveyor may...
When you close on your new home, you sign all of the paperwork and then get the keys. The house is yours. If the seller already bought a new home and the house is sitting empty, you may head over right away. But what if the seller is still living in the home? Do they...
Some of the expenses associated with buying a home are unavoidable. You have to pay any past-due taxes and cover closing costs. Other expenses, like the homeowner's title insurance policy or property inspections, are optional. You may choose to forgo those costs,...
It can be exciting thinking about the prospect of buying your first home. You shouldn't rush into things without thinking of them as clearly as you should, though. First-time homebuyers often make mistakes that can cost them more money than it otherwise should. One...