- Pros and Cons of Buying a House on Contract
Buying a home is a major financial achievement, but for some would-be buyers, the path to the American Dream is littered with obstacles. Tighter lending restrictions and raising interest rates have pushed a number of people out of the market altogether.… read more…
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Townhouse
With land in desirable neighborhoods at a premium, townhouses represent a growing share in the real estate market. Townhouses can be an attractive option for many new homeowners–offering something of a “middle ground” between single family homes and condominiums. A townhouse can give you what feels like a single family home in prime urban centers.… read more…
- Top 5 Tips for Buying Renters Insurance
According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, renters account for more than one-third of all U.S. households. Renting can be less expensive than buying since you’re not shelling out money for things like maintenance, repairs, property taxes or homeowner’s insurance. The… read more…
- 3 Things to Consider When Buying a Retirement Home
Leaving the workforce behind for good means making some important decisions that impact both your lifestyle and your finances. One of the biggest questions for many retirees is where they’ll live once they reach the golden years. Buying a home… read more…
- What Is Home Buying Season?
The months of April through July generally account for more than 40% of a year’s housing transactions. This is when people think about whether to keep renting or if it’s time to buy a home. What Is Home Buying Season?… read more…
- What Is Title Insurance And Do You Need It?
If you recently bought a home, you may be considering title insurance. This protects you from taking a financial downfall triggered by property ownership issues. Believe it or not, someone may have a legal right to the home you’re in,… read more…
- What Is the Typical Down Payment on a Home Purchase?
Most people have to borrow money in order to afford a house. No matter how big your mortgage is, though, you generally need to have at least some cash on hand for the down payment. Historically the rule was that homebuyers… read more…
- Veterans Home Buying Guide
Tools & Calculators Getting Started With VA Loans All About VA Loans Eligibility & Forms
- When to Leverage a 401(k) for a Home Down Payment
Wondering where to get the money to make a down payment on a new home? As home prices quickly increase, the amount to make an optimal 20 percent down payment also increases. Meanwhile, you may already have a substantial nest egg… read more…
- 9 Books to Read Before Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home will be the biggest decisions you’ll make in both your personal financial lives. In fact, it ranks as one of the hardest, most frightening, long-term commitments you’ll ever undertake. It can become especially daunting if you don’t educate yourself before putting pen to paper on a mortgage contract. But if you take… read more…
- Should First-Time Homebuyers Build Their New Homes?
Americans are very keen on having the newest thing whether that is a car, following a fad or even buying a house. Many people believe that the American dream is to build their own house one day. What if you… read more…
- How Credit Score Affects Your Home Buying Power
If you are thinking about buying a home, one of the first steps you should take is to find out your credit score. Your credit score is one of the primary metrics used to determine whether you will qualify for… read more…
- Buying vs. Renting by Age Group
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to buy a home or continue to rent. Many prospective buyers also wonder how the numbers of renters vs. buyers breaks down by age group. Although the market has changed over the last three years, the information from the 2010 census is the most accurate available… read more…
- How Rising Interest Rates Impact Buying vs Renting
Over the last month, mortgage interest rates have risen half of a percentage point for most lenders. Forecasters expect the trend to continue. It is highly possible that the record rates seen this spring (below 3.5% for 30 year fixed… read more…
- 10 Common Real Estate Agencies
The home-buying process can seem incredibly stressful, regardless of whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran. Fortunately, you can find a real estate agent who’s willing to do a lot of the grunt work for you. SmartAsset took the time to create a list of some of the most common real estate agencies in the… read more…
- Home Buying Fees- Part 3: Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners insurance (HOI) is a must-have for any homebuyer, and will likely be the most demanding portion of your budget. There are several different types of homeowners insurance and it is helpful to know a bit about each in order… read more…
- Home Buying Fees- Part 2: Real Estate Taxes
Real estate taxes, or property taxes, are levies on property that the government requires owners to pay. The value of property has much to do with where we decide to live, our quality of life in those places, and how our communities are shaped. These values also reflect the amount of tax money that goes… read more…
- Buying vs. Renting: Important Factors to Consider
Buying versus renting is the one question that most often plagues first time home buyers. It usually goes something like this: “should I continue shelling out money to a landlord, or dig a hole for myself and buy a home?”… read more…
- Should You Buy a House Without a Realtor?
Can you buy a house without a realtor? That’s one of the decisions you’ll have to make when you begin the home-buying process, but you technically can. While going without a realtor could save you a little bit of money, a buyer’s… read more…
- Does Buying a Home Before Your House Sells Make Sense?
Many homeowners wait to search for a new house until their current house sells. But these days, houses can spend months on the market. While putting a contingency offer on a new home is an option, there’s no guarantee your offer will be accepted in the current market. Find out now: How much mortgage can… read more…
- The Hidden Costs of That Second Home
Tired of showing up at that pricey hotel only to find that the sheets are dirty and your no-smoking room reeks of cigarette smoke? Why not purchase a second home, a vacation home that you can control? When you hit… read more…