Millions of you want to know the answer to one seemingly simple question: How much is my home worth? Sadly, in many cases, the only simple answer is "much less than you paid for it." (Go ahead, you can share your story in the comments. This should … [Read more...]
Buying a Short Sale: Is It Worth It? (And Does It Really Take Six Months?)
July 6, 2011 by Sarah Davis
Many U.S. real estate markets are flooded with short sales and, according to the National Association of Realtors, that number is only expected to increase in the near future. So if you’re in the market for a new home, there’s a good possibility … [Read more...]
How to Buy a House at Auction: Can You Really Get a Home for 50 Percent Off?
March 3, 2011 by Sarah Davis
You’ve heard the stories and seen the ads. Perhaps you even know somebody who bought a home for cheap at a foreclosure auction. Now, you’re thinking about buying a home of your own. You have CASH from savings or an inheritance. And … [Read more...]
Sell Your House! How to Beat the Market, Find a Buyer, and Fetch More for Your Home
December 15, 2010 by Sarah Davis
Do you need to sell your house? Then it’s time to stand tall, roll up your sleeves, and get down to business. I don’t need to tell you that real estate market isn't so hot right now, but if you’re committed to selling and are willing to go … [Read more...]
House-Hunting Secrets: Three Ways to Make the Most of Open Houses
November 4, 2010 by Sarah Davis
Home buyers, listen up: If you’re savvy, you can get more out of open houses than free cookies. Realtors use open houses to find buyers, but clever buyers can use open houses to scout properties quickly, shop for a Realtor, and get the skinny … [Read more...]
What Happens at a Closing?
November 3, 2010 by Sarah Davis
You found the perfect home and, after a few negotiations, the seller accepted your offer. You’ve been to the bank and have your mortgage approval in hand. In fact, the only thing standing between you and your new home is the closing. So just … [Read more...]
Online Home Searches: Convenient, But Not Always Accurate
October 15, 2010 by Sarah Davis
These days, the first thing many Americans do when they decide they want to buy a home is search for real estate online. In fact, over 80% of homebuyers start their search for a home on the Internet, according to the National Association of Realtors. … [Read more...]
Your Down Payment: Sources of Cash to Buy Your First Home
October 4, 2010 by Sarah Davis
Want to buy a home? Nine times out of 10, you’re going to need a down payment. Only VA loan programs for qualified veterans and active military personnel offer loans with no down payment. And even if your lender doesn’t require it, a down … [Read more...]
Why We Bought a House, and Why We Bought It Now
September 20, 2010 by David E. Weliver
When is the right time to buy a house? Certainly not when you've got a brand-new baby commanding every waking second of your time. But that's exactly what we did. We just became new parents, and we’re buying a home. We close in ten days. But … [Read more...]
Bank Owned Homes: Should You Buy a Foreclosed Property?
September 14, 2010 by Sarah Davis
Bank owned homes are still flooding our nation’s real estate market. For buyers who can handle risk, some are incredible deals. But if you’re gearing up to buy your first home, take a hard look at whether buying a foreclosed property is a good … [Read more...]
