Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

Some benefits of home ownership are obvious: there's the investment value, the pride of ownership, the privacy… What you might not have realized is that the tax benefits are one of the greatest benefits to owning a home. In fact, many of the … [Read more...]

The High Cost(s) of Buying a Home

If you’ve never bought a home before, you may see a $300,000 asking price and think,“I can afford that” (with a mortgage, most likely). But, can you really? Are you aware of the fees and expenses involved in purchasing a home? … [Read more...]

Buying a Condo? What You Need to Know About Homeowners’ Associations

In this tight economy, many would-be home buyers find that a condominium is more affordable than a single-family house; offering amenities, such as a swimming pool or fitness room, which they could not afford on their own. Condo owners may also … [Read more...]

The Secrets to Winning a Bidding War

Putting an offer on a home can be exhilarating, especially if the offer you submit is exactly what the seller has asked for. When you reach this stage, chances are you've already started to fall in love with the home and are picturing yourself … [Read more...]

Do It Yourself Credit Repair: 6 Steps To Recover From Bad Credit

If you’ve had an overdue student loan, years of high credit card balances or even a foreclosure, you probably have a low credit score, which can cost you a bundle if you ever want new credit. With poor credit, you may simply not be able to get … [Read more...]

All About Earnest Money

When you make an offer to buy a house, the seller may ask you to remit money as an earnest deposit. Most purchase contracts stipulate a specific amount of earnest money to be given by the buyer along with the offer. What is an appropriate amount? … [Read more...]

Is a Short Sale Right For You?

Are you or someone you know having trouble paying a mortgage? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans are still grappling with the fallout from the recent recession. And for many, that means falling behind on mortgage payments. If you’re … [Read more...]

Get a Mortgage Pre-Qualification Letter Before House Hunting

Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a home, I recommend you get pre-qualified for a home loan as soon as possible. Pre-qualification is a quick but very important step you should take before making any offers. Why? Pre-qualification … [Read more...]

How to Find a Good Realtor When Buying a Home

You’ve seen the “For Sale” signs and you’re anxious to buy a home. But, how do you navigate all the various kinds of home loans and figure out how much house you can really afford? Plus, how will find out the inside scoop on each home and how … [Read more...]