Buying a Home
Thanks to the Internet, being an informed home buyer has never been easier. No longer are buyers completely dependent upon real estate agents and mortgage lenders when it comes to gathering information. House listings are readily available online, as are interactive tools that can estimate mortgage payments and percentage rates. If you have never bought a home before, you can find step-by-step guides to the process online. Even seasoned real estate investors can turn to the Web for news and advice, as the market is constantly evolving. Whatever your needs, the Internet is an invaluable source of information for buying a house.
The purchase of a home is likely the single largest transaction you will ever make. If you're ... read more »
Finding the right neighborhood can be just as important as finding the right home. Maybe ... read more »
As your hunting begins, you will soon find that there is no shortage of properties for sale. While this affords you many options, you are now burdened with narrowing the field and deciding what it is you should be looking for in a home. Fortunately, there are plenty of places on the Internet to help you narrow down your choices.
- Be sensible when determining whether a house is in your budget range. Even if you are approved for a large mortgage loan, it doesn't mean you should accept the largest amount and buy a house that will leave you penniless in six months' time.
For a list of things to look for in a house …
National Inspection Services
explains the elements of a home that you should examine when you are house hunting. Some of the items on this list might be better left to a professional home inspector, but many potential problems identified here can be spotted easily by even the most uneducated home buyer.
To review architectural styles …
Realty Advocates
explains the history and various aspects of several types of housing styles, including Queen Anne, Mediterranean, and "Classic Box." This page comes with basic illustrations, rather than full-color photographs of each style of home. The site is hosted by a California real estate agency and thus the information is geared toward local readers, but many of the house styles described can be found all over the United States.
Jamaica Plain Real Estate
reviews the elements of many popular housing styles seen in New England (and many other parts of the country), such as Cape Cod, ranch, and federal styles. Color photographs show examples of each style of home.
If you're thinking of buying a fixer-upper …
Home Inspector Locator
is not a pretty Web site but it does have an extremely useful, detailed chart of some common home repairs, such as roofing or plumbing work, with cost estimates for each specific type of project.
LetsRenovate.com
provides tips about remodeling your home, starting with a handy remodeling checklist and pictures of home remodeling ideas. Browse the rooms in the "
Home Improvement Gallery” for suggestions on sprucing up the various areas of your home. You'll also learn how to develop your remodeling plan, and find a contractor if you need one.
REALTOR.com
has this advice to offer for people thinking of purchasing rundown homes, fixing them, and reselling them for a higher price.
For a second home …
Lifestylehomesearch.com
contains a series of articles about the various considerations you should take into account when purchasing a second home, whether it's an investment property, a vacation home, or you eventually plan to retire there some day. This site is a partnership of real estate companies and agents around the country.
Who knew?
The New York Times
discusses how housing styles have changed in New Orleans, Louisiana, as people there work to rebuild their homes after Hurricane Katrina. The article states that many individuals are focusing on designs that will better withstand future storms, and some are looking at the city as a "blank slate" to introduce new home styles.
There was a time when the only way to find homes for sale was through newspapers or signs in ... read more »
Whether you hire a broker to help you purchase a home is a personal decision. Some people feel ... read more »
Now that you've found a home you like, it's time to do a little more sleuthing. As soon as possible ... read more »
Negotiating the price of a home requires the same level of research and preparation you've put into ... read more »
The process of obtaining a home loan can be arduous and confusing if you're not prepared before you ... read more »
The day you close on your new home can be a very exciting one but if you want it to go smoothly ... read more »
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