Tips for Buying a House

Knowing when to buy a house comes down to two key things: how bad you want it and how financially prepared you are to pay for it. Here’s a common scenario: Your heart says, “Go on, make the dream real!” But your head demands proof that you’re not about to blow up your budget. It’s...

Moving into a new home can be a big deal, even when you’re just moving to a new neighborhood or a nearby county. When the move crosses state lines, buying a home in the area can feel like exploring another planet, especially if it’s somewhere you haven’t lived before. The good news is that you’re...

You’ve hit the big leagues now. Batter, batter, you are up! But before you start sweating under the stadium lights, call a TIMEOUT. You’ll want to read this handy little home buying checklist before you take a swing. Buying a home is exciting, but it takes some prep to pull off. Don’t dive into a...

Buying a new home is exciting, but it can also be a complicated process. If you’ve never owned a home before, you may be confused about who’s involved. As you’ll quickly find out, there are many more people involved besides the buyer, the seller and the real estate agent. And once you factor in the...

You’ve been shopping for vacant land and found a parcel you love – but there’s one problem. The property is landlocked.  Landlocked property doesn’t have direct access to a public road and is only accessible by crossing another property. While landlocked real estate can be an exciting investment opportunity, it may involve legal risks because...

You know how the story begins: You’ve found your dream home. But, plot twist: It’s not even on the market yet! But you love the home, and you’re a highly motivated buyer, so you decide you want to be first in line to buy your dream home if the owner ever decides to sell. To...

Owning multiple rental properties can be a lucrative way to build wealth over the long term, but, unfortunately, financing rental properties isn’t always as simple as applying and getting approved for a mortgage. If you plan on building a real estate portfolio, it’s important to know what potential financing challenges and hurdles you might face....

Home improvement shows make flipping houses look so simple, don’t they? You buy a cheap home, slap some fresh paint on the walls, and then you turn around and sell it for a huge profit, right?  While house flipping may occasionally work this way – let’s not make the exception the rule. The reality is...

Does the current seller’s market make you feel like you need to take a stealth approach to negotiations? When there are lots of buyers interested in a home, you may find yourself on the frontline of a bidding war. Sometimes buyers try to offer more than the seller’s asking price to give them the best...

If you’ve been looking around for the perfect house, you may feel anxious about how to buy the one you’ve set your heart on at a price that won’t bust your budget.  We know negotiating a home price may seem intimidating, but knowing the right moves to make ahead of time can relieve a lot...

Buying a home is an exciting step to take – especially if it’s your first home. It’s a milestone many of us hope for. Whether you’re an aspiring home buyer or a seasoned home buyer, there’s always something to learn about buying a home.   From deciding what type of mortgage you want to deciding if...

The all-important home inspection can be as revealing as expertly peering into a crystal ball, especially if it turns out the home needs repairs you didn’t foresee when you first toured it. If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may not even know what to ask for after a home inspection report comes back recommending...

So, you’ve found your dream home and submitted an offer. Now you’re moving to the next phase, the home inspection. The home inspector discovers some problems that require repairs. You ask the seller to fix some of those problems, but they refuse to negotiate. This can be an awkward and, oftentimes, common situation that may...

When you’re house hunting, it’s easy to fall in love with a home that feels like a good fit. But finding your dream home should go beyond the feeling a house gives you. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced homeowner, you need to ask the right questions about every home you consider and...

So you want to buy your first home, but buying a home on your own feels next to impossible. If you want out of the rent game but aren’t quite ready to tackle homeownership by yourself, co-ownership is a viable option. Living your best financial life looks different for everyone. And, for some, it can...

A charming house has caught your eye, and it’s landed at the top of your dream-home wish list. Whether it’s the features, the retro facade or the low purchase price, you love it. In fact, you love it as-is. But love can be blinding. There are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration...

When you inherit a home or other property, you have a lot of decisions to make. Maybe you’re thinking about moving in, selling the property or converting the home into an investment property. It’s important to remember that when you inherit a home, you inherit the home’s value and any debts or legal claims connected...

Adulting ain’t easy, we know. One of the more challenging adulthood milestones to reach is buying your first house. And one of the most challenging parts of buying your first house is saving up for the down payment.  Inflation plus stagnant minimum wages equals a generation that makes less money and has fewer opportunities to...

Buying a home can feel exciting. And, no matter who you are, getting a mortgage can feel stressful – especially when you’re self-employed.  Mortgage lenders examine your personal financial history and your business’s financial history as well. But you’re not alone.  As of July 2021, you and over 16 million people in the U.S. are...

Before you buy your dream house, make sure it doesn’t turn into a nightmare. Do yourself a favor and get a home inspection done. It’s the best way to avoid moving into a house that will require expensive repairs. What Is a Home Inspection? A home inspection is like a checkup for a house. It...

Before forging ahead with your house hunt, it’s important to weigh the advantages of buying a house against (sorry to say it) the disadvantages. Homeownership should bring a little zen to your life, which is why creating a pros and cons list for buying a house is so important. It’s also personal: One person’s pro...

Learn how delayed financing can help potential homebuyers compete with other buyers who can pay cash to get their dream homes.