Whether it’s your first or fifth home, there is still so much to learn about the homebuying process. Get advice from real estate experts on everything you need to know before investing in a new home.
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Buying Your First Home
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
Buying a home can be a complicated process for anyone, especially for first-time home buyers. Since it is such a huge investment involving a lot of legal procedures, paperwork, and time, buying a home is never easy. Fortunately, there are many tips you can follow to make your...
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Finding & Buying the Perfect Home
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
The home-buying process can be one of life's most stressful – yet rewarding – experiences. While there are likely to be plenty of ups and downs along the way, there is nothing comparable to finally owning your own home. But, long before that happens, you'll need to...
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Buying: Using a Real Estate Agent
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
Buying a home is a complicated process - hiring a real estate agent can make it a lot less stressful. Find out where to find an agent and what you should ask before you hire.
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Buying a Home Independently
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
You might think that it's absolutely necessary to hire a real estate agent when buying a house, but you can actually purchase your new home independently if you wish. Though a real estate agent takes care of all of the work for you, it can cost quite a lot to hire one. Depending...
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Rights as a Buyer
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
The housing market can be a treacherous landscape. The sheer amount of money, time, and emotion you are probably investing in your search for a new home is enough to deal with without having to look over your shoulder for people who are out to get you. This is why there are...
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Mortgages 101
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
A big part of anyone's home-buying experience is the mortgage . However, many first-time home buyers may be unsure exactly what it is and why it is so important to understand all the terms of the mortgage. Once you have a firm grasp of the different types of mortgages and what...
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Payment Plans for Your Mortgage
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
Taking out a mortgage is often an inescapable part of the home-buying process . It is a long commitment, involving between 15 and 30 years of monthly payments until it is finally paid off. While there might not be too many ways to get out of paying your mortgage , there are a...
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How to Buy Foreclosures
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
Due to the current state of the economy, more and more homes are being foreclosed. This most commonly occurs when a homeowner is unable to make his or her mortgage payments . At this point, the lender of the loan will take the legal steps and put the home under foreclosure. If...
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Deeds and Titles
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
When you buy a new home, you're going to hear a lot of talk about deeds and titles. These two terms, like many other real estate terms, can be somewhat confusing. Oftentimes, they're even confused for one another. Following are explanations of both terms and why you need to know...
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How to Choose an Adult Community
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
Adult communities, also known as active adult or retirement communities, are communities designed for people who are of, or approaching, retirement age. There is a distinct difference between this and a retirement home, which usually has no social areas. Adult communities are...
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Tips for Buying Timeshares
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
What if there was a way for you to go o n vacation each year without having to put up the megabucks it can take to stay at a resort for the week? Maybe you just don't like the uncertainty that comes with getting a hotel. After all, it can be hard to know for sure just how big the...
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International Home Buying
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
As complicated as buying a home is, going international with it is adding a lot more to the mix. There are certain things you'll have to take into consideration that you would not have to deal with domestically, but getting the home of your dreams is worth almost any kind of...
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Financing Your Home
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
A home is one of the most expensive things you will ever buy in your life. Most people do not opt to save the full amount of money prior to buying a house; they take out a loan. This type of loan is called a mortgage , and it is how one finances his or her new home.
What is a...
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Home Appraisals
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
So, you've made a decision to buy a house. You've been to the bank, and they've said, "Okay. $250,000 it is." A new home is almost within your reach. Now, you've just got to get that thing appraised.
What is a home appraisal? The seller might be asking for $250,000, but your...
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Buying: Things to Look Out For
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
You probably have a good idea of what you're looking for in a home, the obvious considerations being the number of rooms, number of bathrooms, and location. There is, however, much more to consider. If you don't take a closer look at the home you want to buy, you may end up...
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Real Estate Taxes
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
Along with owning a home comes the responsibility to pay property taxes. Learn more about real estate taxes and what you should expect as a home owner.
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RESPA – Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was originally passed by Congress in 1974. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the purpose of RESPA is "to help consumers become better shoppers for settlement [mortgage closing] services" and...
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Buying: Closing Procedures
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on May 14, 2010
The process of closing on a house involves reviewing, making any last minute adjustments to, and then signing all of the final paperwork. The following will explain the details of the closing procedure and what your responsibilities will be in the process.
Who is involved?...
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Pros and Cons of Owning a Timeshare
Posted by Nicole La Capria on May 22, 2013
If you love returning to the same beautiful vacation spot year after year, a timeshare can be an economical and convenient way to spend your annual trips. Timeshares are shared property owned by a variety of buyers that each take turns using the unit for one week to several weeks...
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How to Get Your Finances in Order to Buy a Home
Posted by Kelly Martini on April 8, 2013
With nearly 50 percent of us living pay check to pay check, saving the money to buy a house may seem like an impossible task. You may feel as if you will never be able to save a down payment or improve your credit rating so you can afford to finally own your home. This guide will...
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Guide to Buying a Home
Posted by Robert Moreschi on February 26, 2013
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a veteran, there are some ground rules to follow when purchasing a house. Get tips on where to get started in the process.
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Questions to Ask Before Closing on a Home
Posted by Robert Moreschi on July 11, 2013
At first, closing on your new home may sound a little scary. After all, you're making that final decision to sign a sizeable chunk of money over to the bank that will be handling your mortgage. It's not exactly something that happens every day, and it's something that many people...
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2013 Real Estate Trends
Posted by Staff Writer on July 30, 2013
Sixteen million foreclosures in five years is frightening to say the least. But it is a reality thousands of Americans must wake up to every day as they fight to keep a roof over their heads during this dire economy. Needless to say some families are forced out of their homes,...
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What You Need to Know About Buying a Foreclosure
Posted by Robert Moreschi on August 28, 2013
Foreclosures are typically sold as-is, meaning that the buyer is responsible for all repairs and maintenance problems. Get tips on what to look for if you're considering purchasing a foreclosed home.
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How to Prepare to Buy a Home
Posted by Robert Moreschi on August 28, 2013
Deciding to buy a home is a major step in anyone's life and it's usually a decision that is reached after a lot of thinking and planning for the future. It's incredibly important to go into the process carefully and to make sure that you're fully prepared for whatever you may...
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5 Common Mistakes People Make When Buying a Home
Posted by Robert Moreschi on December 20, 2018
There are several mistakes that prospective buyers and homeowners make that can cost them a deal. Learn more about these mistakes and how to avoid them so you can land that dream deal.
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Most Affordable States to Move To
Posted by Robert Moreschi on September 6, 2013
The United States is a diverse land with unique flavor and different regions that offer something for just about anyone. No two cities or states are quite the same --which can also be said about the costs of living in these places. Some cities and states demand a higher cost of...
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Understanding Short Sales
Posted by Robert Moreschi on November 12, 2013
It's easy to get confused with all of the real estate and financial terminology that gets thrown around when discussing things like short sales, so get some helpful information to better understand short sales before going any further.
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Different Types of Alternative Homes
Posted by Robert Moreschi on January 6, 2014
Alternative homes can be a great way to express yourself and save some money. Learn about some different types of alternative homes before choosing one that could be right for you.
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How to House Hunt Online
Posted by Ana M. Ferrer on November 14, 2014
Buying a home is a long and in-depth process that starts off with a lot of research and planning. Part of that researching is finding the home of your dreams. With online real estate websites popping up more frequently, house hunters are increasingly searching online to find...
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How Low of an Offer Should You Make on a Home?
Posted by Kelly Martini on November 19, 2018
What happens after you find the perfect home? How much should you offer, and how low is too low? Everyone loves a great deal, but a low-ball proposal can insult and turn off the seller. Realtors suggest no less than 85 percent of the original asking price.
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How to Avoid Buying a Haunted House
Posted by Cassandra Rose on February 11, 2015
<a href="https://www.movers.com/real-estate-guides/how-to-avoid-buying-a-haunted-house.html"><img src="https://www.movers.com/images/guides/guideImg/Haunted%20House%20Infographic.png" alt="Is a Haunted House Right for You Infographic" title="Avoiding Buying a Haunted...
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To Build or Buy a Home
Posted by Ana M. Ferrer on February 18, 2015
A house is usually the largest investment a person can make in a lifetime. Buyers spend a great portion of their time shopping around, searching for that perfect place to call their own. But what happens when you just can’t find that perfect place? Many buyers become...
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Moving in Together--Buying a House Before Marriage
Posted by Nicole La Capria on February 16, 2016
Buying a home is a big step--especially when you enter into this significant financial investment with another person. If you and your partner aren't married, things can get even more complicated. If you are considering buying your first home with your partner without a wedding,...
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How to Save Money When Buying a House
Posted by Adam Mandelbaum on November 16, 2018
Its undeniable that buying a home costs a lot of money. In addition to the cost of the house itself, you will need to spend money on furnishings, improvements, and of course, the process of moving. Other unavoidable costs include the fees associated with using a real estate...
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How Many Open Houses Should You Attend?
Posted by Kelly Martini on December 14, 2018
Asking how many open houses you should go to before committing to an offer is a hard question. While there is no right or wrong answer, realtors suggest attending at least two open houses. That way you have some basis for comparison.
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How to Check Plumbing Before Moving Into a New Home
Posted by Kelly Martini on December 14, 2018
When moving into a new home, it is vital to inspect the entire structure before signing your closing papers. One of the most important things in your new home is the plumbing system, which can cause you great distress and a number of problems if there’s something wrong after you...
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Final Walkthrough Checklist For Homebuyers
Posted by Staff Writer on June 6, 2022
Have you decided to buy a house? Are you going to close the deal? Don't forget to do the final inspection before you sign the deal and avoid surprises in the future. For example, you can check if a repair supposed to be done by the seller has been fixed or not, otherwise, you...
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All You Need To Know About A Mother-In-Law Apartment
Posted by Staff Writer on March 9, 2023
Are you looking to offer a comfortable place in your house for your parents or guests to stay? A mother-in-law apartment would be an excellent choice for you! A mother-in-law apartment is one of the most current trends in real estate and has many names like granny suite, Ohana...
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Tips To Identify A Good Bones House During House Inspection
Posted by Staff Writer on March 9, 2023
When searching for a new house, you might hear a real estate agent say that a house has good bones. It's something that you may often hear them saying when you walk through a house that doesn’t look very attractive. Usually, a realtor will use this phrase to describe a...
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A Guide For Buying Or Building A Tiny House
Posted by Staff Writer on May 17, 2023
Buying a house is a big deal, both financially and emotionally. Many people spend years planning and preparing just to buy or build a home. Buying a tiny house over a traditional house, however, is altogether a different story. Some may assume that just because a house is small,...