Posted on October 22, 2009Buying Your First Home in Summerville, SC
Summerville, SC is one of the most affordable cities in the Charleston metro area for buying a home. As a result, it attracts many of Charleston’s first time home buyers. If you’re one of the many home buyers in this category, here are some tips to...
Buying A Home Articles
Posted on October 21, 2009Bidding on a Deal: Some Considerations for Buying a Home
There are currently many home buyers looking to take advantage of the glut of foreclosures and short sales on the market. Some of the better priced homes are getting snatched up quickly; these fast transactions are making some home buyers make hasty...
Posted on October 20, 2009Find A Home Like an Expert - Don't Hate Your Home!
A home does much more than provide shelter. More importantly, its the jumping off point for your lifestyle. Read this article to find out about the synergy created by finding the right home in the right neighborhood.
Posted on May 30, 2009Thinking about Buying a Home?
Buying a home is a tremendous step in the lives of most individuals. Make sure that when you find the home you have dreamt about, you can make the process go smoothly by being prepared with documentation and financial history. There are many details...
Posted on February 2, 2009Become Familiar with Your HOA Before Buying
HOA's are great for keeping up appearances, but some buyers aren't aware of the need to become familiar with the rules of the HOA before buying. You can usually ask for a history of the HOA's transactions to become more comfortable with the goals and...
Posted on February 2, 2009Bank-Owned Properties or REO Homes Provide Great Deals in a Tough Real Estate Market
Individuals seeking to invest or buy a personal property are met with many options on today's real estate market. Learn about the difference between a real estate owned (or bank-owned property) and a foreclosure and what the difference can mean to...
Posted on January 29, 2009Biggest Home Mortgage Mistakes
Some of the most common mistakes include biting off more than you can chew, opting for an adjustable rate mortgage, getting mortgage life insurance, relying on prequalification, and choosing a back lender. The good news is that all of these mistakes...
Posted on December 31, 2008New Neighborhoods Need Researched
Moving to a new home can be fun and stressful, but before you fork over the down payment, make sure to research the neighborhood too.
Posted on December 30, 2008Financing Timeline for Home Buyers
I've included a short timeline for financing to help buyers plan for their closing date. But, know that it's never too early to start planning and saving!
Posted on December 30, 2008Should I Get Re-Approved for My Home Loan?
A lot of buyers who have been sitting the fence the past few months are now worried that they're going to be stuck on this fence and won't be able to get the home they wanted. Learn how the mortgage changes will affect your approval.
Posted on December 29, 2008The Multiple Offer - Coming Out on Top
The multiple offer is probably one of the most stressful situations for any potential home buyer. The whole process resembles a silent auction, where multiple buyers place offers on a home, with no idea of what the other is bidding. Generally, at the...
Posted on December 28, 2008Buying a Home for Your Home Office
If you work at home and are looking at purchasing property, you should think of how your home will impact your business. The neighborhood, building appearance and inner structure will all have a bearing on your work, especially if you meet with...
Posted on December 28, 2008Getting Qualified in Today's Mortgage Market
Is it harder to qualify now than it was 3 months ago before the mortgage crunch? Learn how the mortgage industry will affect your next home buying experience!
Posted on December 11, 2008Steps to Becoming a Homeowner
So you've considered buying your own home. You have the down payment, and a decent job. Sounds great - what's holding you back? With most people, fear of the unknown keeps them from taking the first steps toward home ownership. Here are the basic...
Posted on October 27, 2008Government Help: Buying A Home
Even if you owned a home before - you can still jump on the bandwagon of the government tax credit for buying a home - even a houseboat. Amazingly enough, this home does not have to be a single-family detached run of the mill type home to receive...
Posted on October 26, 2008HOA Pro's and Con's
The pros and cons of an HOA may not be readily apparent. While most buyers understand that an HOA will keep the streets looking nice and ensure that your neighbor does not place an old sofa on their front porch, many do not realize that even...
Posted on October 23, 2008Benefits of Selling and Buying a Pre-Inspected Home
This article discusses how home sellers can gain a competitive advantage by investing a pre-inspection and home warranty coverage.
Posted on October 23, 2008Reasons to Own Instead Of Renting
There are many reasons why people rent but the primary reason is because most people believe they can not afford to buy a home. The question they should be asking themselves, though, is can they afford not to?
Posted on October 23, 2008Why You Shouldn't Buy a House you Can Afford
There's more to an affordable house than how much you pay for it. Sure, it's important to get a good deal and find a mortgage you can carry comfortably but when there's an endless stream of daily expenses tied to your home's location, you could blow...
Posted on October 19, 2008Be Careful Not To Overspend On Real Estate
Overspending on a home can be tempting but there are several pitfalls in doing so that you want to avoid.
Posted on September 28, 20083 Tips for Finding a Good Real Estate Agent
One of the most important parts of buying or selling a home is finding good representation. Trust and reliability is a big issue in problems with the Real Estate Agent you choose. Many times people have little to no trust in them and hold information...
Posted on September 18, 2008Why Do I Need a Buyers Agent When Buying a Home?
When buying a home it is important to be represented by a buyer's agent. Having a buyer's agent will allow you to get the home at the best price, in the right time, and with the fewest problems.
Posted on August 24, 2008Women Are Buying Homes For Themselves
Did you know that women who live alone are more likely to own their homes than single men? It's true, statistics show that women are the second largest home-buying force next to couples, and the percentage of female homeowners is growing. So how are...
Posted on August 24, 2008Tips For New Buyers
So it's finally time to realize your dream of buying a home. This is a major step in your life, and your home will likely be your biggest asset ever. What's next, and how are you going to make the most of this new adventure?
Posted on August 16, 2008Getting the House of your Dreams through Thoughtful Bidding
Approaching the bidding process as an informed consumer may make a difference in whether you are able to attain the property you are making an offer on. You may be able to speak with the seller for a more direct connection.
Posted on August 10, 2008Secrets to Finding the Right School When You're buying a Home
There are so many things to take into consideration when you're buying a house. Will your furniture fit? Will your life fit? Is the foundation sound? But if you have children, finding a house near a school that's a good fit is probably the single...
Posted on August 9, 2008Tips for Making Effective Contingencies
Buying real estate in the near future? Learn how to make effective contingencies in your offer so that you can have a solid contract while protecting yourself as a buyer.
Posted on August 9, 2008Which Neighborhood is Right for You?
Finding a neighborhood that is a good match for you can be very difficult, especially with so many homes on the market to choose from right now. So, we've come up with seven steps to help you find the right neighborhood!
Posted on August 2, 2008My Dream Home May Be in Another City
I guess I have reached that age (39) where I am starting to think of buying a home. Maybe I am starting later than most. But to me the price of homes in my area are beyond unreasonable which presents some difficult choices.
Posted on July 23, 2008The New Real Estate Demographic: Young Single Women
Now more than ever single women are stepping up to the plate as some of the prime movers and shakers in the real estate market. Currently they make up for nearly 22% of all homeowners, and are beating out their single male counterparts who seems more...
Posted on July 18, 2008The Real Estate Contract
You don't have to be an attorney or a real estate agent to appreciate the basic legal requirements of owning a home. We're going to explain the real estate contract using everyday language so that you can sign your contract with confidence!
Posted on July 18, 2008The Many Faces of Solar Power
There's no doubt about it, the internet is now an intrinsic part in the process of buying and selling homes. The majority of people looking to buy a home search the web for homes for sale in their desired area. Savvy buyers and sellers can compare...
Posted on July 7, 2008Don't Be Home When Your House Is Shown
Again and again, I hear stories from fellow real estate agents that affirm what I also see as true: it is not a good idea for the seller to be present when their home is being viewed by buyers. While it may be inconvenient for the seller to stay...
Posted on July 4, 2008The Homeowners' Association
Learn more about how the HOA can affect your next home purchase!
Posted on May 16, 2008Be Prepared Before You Buy
Before you buy a home, there will be a few things you need to do to get ready. Here's a list to help you know where to focus your energy, and make the process go as smoothly as possible.
Posted on April 2, 2008Practical Goals Toward House Buying
Setting goals to help buy the first home is one form of encouragement for ourselves. As we achieve each stepping-stone-goal we realize that we are actually getting closer to the once-unattainable dream. So how could goals for this dream be set up?
Posted on March 9, 2008The Ins And Outs of Buying and Selling
While buying and selling real estate can be exciting, it is also very challenging, and can be stressful at times. Because of the conflict created by both the buyer and seller and trying to get the most out of a real estate deal, negotiations can drag...
Posted on January 16, 2008Second Home Buying - Use the Professionals
Many of us like to think that one day we will be buying our second home - some of us already have one. Exotic homes often beckon us to foreign shores, but there is always slight trepidation when buying a property overseas, some of their laws are...
Posted on December 28, 2007Making The Most of a Buyer's Market
Markets are always fluctuating, so it's difficult to guess when the dropping prices will level out or start creeping up. This means that prospective buyers have to be more vigilant when hunting for that bargain. As the market drops, it is easier to...
Posted on December 28, 2007Make the Perfect List, Find the Perfect Home
Shopping when you're hungry can lead to disaster. Either you spend too much, fail to get the food you came for - or both. Though you went to the store for a week's worth of meals and with the best intentions, you'll arrive home with a bag of oatmeal,...
Posted on December 7, 2007Bargain-Hunting for Real Estate at Christmas!
Christmas and New Year is a very good time to be looking for your bargain buy in real estate. If you are on a budget, and need to edge the seller's price down a little, then try buying in the Christmas and New Year period. Contrary to what you may be...
Posted on April 1, 2006Home Buyer Incentives - It Doesn't Hurt to Ask
In a seller's market, a prospective home buyer needs to be a little more cautious when negotiating a purchase; however, in today's buyer's market, incentives are an accepted part of the deal.
Posted on November 29, 2007Finding a Home with Resale Value
If you are looking to buy a new home, try to find a home that will have a good resale value down the road. This concept applies to first time home buyers who are just looking for a “first home" as well as home buyers who plan on living in the home...
Posted on November 7, 2007The factors influencing whether to buy or rent real estate
There are many factors that are currently influencing the new home and resale home market. One factor that is not given enough weight is the rental market and the influence it is having on the real estate market. This could be one of the most...
Posted on October 18, 2007House, Townhouse, or Condo?
When looking for a home, you will generally find three home types - single family house, townhouse, and condominium. It is important to know the difference between these home types so that you can understand which type of home will suit your needs.
Posted on September 25, 2007Buying the Less Expensive Home in a Neighborhood
When you're looking at homes to buy, be sure to keep in mind the basic real estate principles of progression and regression. In a nutshell, these principles state that it is better to buy a lower priced home in a neighborhood of varying real estate...
Posted on April 1, 2006Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
Buying a home for the first time can be a very overwhelming experience. After all, we were once first-time home buyers, and we remember buying our first home. Add our personal experiences to the experience we've had helping first-time buyers, and...
Posted on September 20, 2007The Costs of Owning a Home
Some home buyers (especially first-time home buyers) think that a down payment is the only cost of buying a home. However, they soon realize that their down payment is one of many costs that require cash or a check upfront. So, how much should you...
Posted on July 19, 2007Where to Get Free Money to Buy a Home
Learn how to get government grants for buying a home. Tens of thousands of dollars may be available for your home purchase and not have to be repaid.
Posted on June 29, 2007What to Know Before You Close.
You've done your shopping, found a beautiful, functional home close to everything you need, and your offer has just been accepted. Before you close the deal, here are a few things to consider.
