Home Buying Costs

Is buying a house a good investment? The short answer is usually yes – but only if you’ve considered all the potential financial rewards and risks associated with homeownership. While buying a home can be incredibly rewarding when done right, it’s crucial to understand that the profitability of a home purchase will depend on many...

Buying a house with solar panels can be an appealing opportunity. It’s a modern, environmentally friendly option that can substantially lower your electricity bills, increase your home’s value and allow you to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle.  Despite its benefits, buying a home with solar panels can present some unique complications, especially if you...

Functioning, modern appliances can add a tremendous amount of value to your home. The sum value of all appliances can be worth several thousand dollars. So, getting the appliances included with your home purchase can have a tremendous impact on the home’s “true” value. As you’d probably expect, whether appliances come with the house will...

Whether you’re a new homeowner or first-time home buyer, you may have heard the terms “assessed value” and “appraised value” thrown around by your loan officer or real estate agent.  Despite sounding similar, the two names serve very different purposes when it comes to home value. This can lead to significant differences in how the...

Traditional homeowners and renters insurance does not cover earthquakes, making earthquake insurance one of the few options available to people in high-risk zones like California, Hawaii or Alaska. While many homeowners skip earthquake insurance due to high costs, that doesn’t mean you should make the same choice.  To better understand the advantages and disadvantages of...

Wondering if your homeowners insurance policy covers plumbing? Whether you’re experiencing a plumbing issue or want to understand your policy better, it’s good to be prepared.  Homeowners insurance protects your property from the unexpected, like fire or storm damage. Luckily, many plumbing mishaps are covered. But when they aren’t, reviewing your policy and understanding what’s...

Your electrical panel is essentially the brain of your home’s electrical system. It is the control center of your home’s power and one of the most crucial systems in your home.  Like anything else, your electrical panel can malfunction or break, requiring you to repair or replace it. When the time comes to upgrade (aka...

It’s no secret that home repairs are an unavoidable part of homeownership. And while some fixes may be cheap and easy, others can be more costly and quite complicated. That’s why home warranties can be such a valuable tool for homeowners. They can help alleviate your financial burden when things break or break down. Like...

Hurricane season in the U.S. typically runs from June through November, often peaking in September. Every year, meteorologists at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast the anticipated number of hurricanes and tropical storms for the upcoming season. The current prediction for 2022 is 13 storms with 3 major events. Luckily, most hurricanes...

After you buy a home, the first thing that probably comes to mind is how much it’s going to cost you every month. There’s the monthly mortgage payment, insurance, repairs, maintenance, utilities, etc. And don’t forget the taxes. Regardless of where you live, you will owe property taxes. Fortunately, most states offer an easy way...

During your home buying process, you might have heard the term cash to close. While cash to close might evoke images of showing up to closing with a duffle bag full of cash, that idea can be misleading since virtually no one uses paper money for cash to close. Though your down payment and mortgage...

Buying a home is often the most significant purchase you’ll make and one of the tenets of the American Dream. Though some people might assume that a disability can make it difficult or impossible to get a home loan, individuals with disabilities have plenty of options for getting a mortgage.  Even if your sole source...