Buying stuff online has spoiled us with “one-click ordering.” If only buying a house were so easy. A lot of people stumble into the whole thing and try to figure it out as they go. That’s tough; we’ve been there. From that first home — little more than a cottage, really, but what seemed like…
It would be nice if houses for sale came with giant price tags so a buyer could easily compare “all-in” costs. Imagine trying to buy a gallon of milk and having to separately compute what it costs to feed the cow, distribute the inventory and stock the shelves. Let’s bottom-line your homeownership costs, from one-time…
You may feel the urge to buy a house, but is it the right decision? There can be advantages and disadvantages to homeownership, but when it comes to such large financial transactions, the best thing you can do is take the emotion out of your decision. Consider the way investors often get worked up about…
An interior designer can bring out the best in your home — and help you avoid costly remodeling mistakes. If you have a dream project, there’s probably a design professional who can turn it into reality. According to HomeAdvisor.com, most homeowners spend between about $1,800 and $8,500 to hire an interior designer or decorator, though some homeowners…
Live in a hot real estate market? If you’re selling your house, you might be lucky enough to receive more than one offer. If so, it’s a good idea to let potential buyers know. That way, they can tailor their offer with the competition in mind. You’ll then need to evaluate each offer fairly and…
If you’re selling your home, you should expect a list of expenses. The commission you pay the seller’s agent is usually one of the biggest, around 6% of your home’s selling price. This pays for the valuable work your seller’s agent, also known as a listing agent, does for you: preparing the home, marketing it, showing it to…
You’ve found a house you love, and now you’re ready to make an offer. This is where the process really begins to get serious and the paperwork starts to build. Buying a home isn’t a handshake deal; verbal agreements just don’t count. That’s why everything important — in fact, any little detail expected to be a part…
Buying a house is a give-and-take process. But it’s more than just giving your money and taking the keys. The contract process is wrapped around a series of contingencies and disclosures. Let’s break it down. Contingencies are “walk-away” clauses in a contract that allow you to back out of buying a house if certain conditions aren’t…
When making an offer, a real estate agent brings some pretty powerful assets to the table: market knowledge, objectivity and (hopefully) some well-honed negotiating skills. Buying a house is emotional, and your agent can help level the field by bringing a more rational approach to the transaction. Here’s how the two of you can work…
If you’re fresh out of college and settling in at your first or second job, homeownership might be out of sight, out of mind. But there’s a lot you can do in your 20s to better position yourself for buying a home when the time is right. You’ve got plenty of company if you’re not ready…
