What A Home Inspector Should Cover

April 30, 2015

Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more  specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might purchase. For more information, try…

Take The Stress Out Of Home Buying

April 30, 2015

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both…

Common Closing Costs For Buyers

April 30, 2015

You’ll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for: Down payment Loan origination Points, or loan discount…

17 Tips For Packing Like A Pro

April 30, 2015

Moving to a new home can be stressful, to say the least. Make it easy on yourself by planning far in advance and making sure you’ve covered all the bases. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical on moving day, and create an estimate of moving costs. (A moving…

10 Questions To Ask Home Inspectors

April 30, 2015

Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors: Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet…

What You Can Do To Improve Your Credit

April 30, 2015

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are big factors in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following: Check for and correct any errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else's poor financial management.…

Budget Basics Worksheet

April 30, 2015

The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to know exactly how much money comes in and how much goes out. Use this worksheet to list your income and expenses below. Income  Take home pay (all family members)  Child support/Alimony  Pension/Social Security  Disability/Other Insurance  Interest/Dividends  Other  Total Income  Expenses  Rent/Mortgage (include taxes, principal, and…

8 Tips For Your Home Search

April 30, 2015

Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing. Be realistic. It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a…

6 Creative Ways To Afford A Home

April 30, 2015

Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, www.getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov. Explore seller financing. In some cases, sellers may be willing…

Common First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes

April 30, 2015

They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the homebuying process. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.…

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