March 3, 2010
- Why Rent When Home Prices Are So Low?
Why Rent When Home Prices Are So Low?
Mortgage rates are at record lows. Home prices are at record lows, and the federal government is offering tax credits for purchasing a home.
Why then should anyone rent?
Home prices and mortgage rates have dropped so much that the cost to own and maintain a house is only a [...]
February 19, 2010
- Buying Houses in Foreclosure
Buying Houses in Foreclosure
Buying a house in foreclosure can be the deal of a lifetime or a risky proposition. Potential home buyers are attracted by homes advertised as foreclosures available at rock-bottom prices. These 'would-be-homebuyers' hope to win the lowest bid and purchase a home, sometimes having never seen or inspected the home. This is [...]
February 15, 2010
- First Time Home Buyer Program Can Save You Money
First Time Home Buyer Program Can Save You Money
If you're renting a home, you probably can’t wait for the time when you can get a place that belongs to you. Now, thanks to first time home buyer programs, it is easier to buy your first home than you may think.
First time home buyer programs were [...]
January 3, 2010
- Is Now the Time to Buy a New Home?
Is Now the Time to Buy a New Home?
We've asked this question before. But now, with the stimulus package being offered by the federal government for first time home buyers, home sales have been increasing on a regular basis. This, coupled with some of the lowest home prices in decades, and the competitive mortgage rates hovering around [...]
December 4, 2009
- Tips for Buying a Foreclosure
Tips for Buying a Foreclosure
Foreclosures are dominating the housing market. Right now, there are 1.5 million such homes for sale, and more are expected to be available soon. That provides both opportunities and pitfalls for bargain hunters. Here are a few tips for making sure you don't get taken when buying a foreclosure.
1 - Don't [...]
November 11, 2009
- 10 Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make
10 Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make
Smart Money lists ten mistakes first-time home buyers make as follows:
1. Not knowing how much house you can afford. 2. Assuming foreclosures are great deals. 3. Letting your true feelings show. 4. Failing to find a good buyer's agent. 5. Underestimating the costs of owning a home. 6. Failing [...]
October 22, 2009
- Five Powerful Buying Strategies
Five Powerful Buying Strategies
In today's crazy Monterey California real estate housing market, making rational decisions based on sound information is a must! In reality, emotions often take over, and sometimes, it's all you can do not to lose all conscientiousness when you think you have found that dream home. But if you'll follow [...]
October 12, 2009
- Title and Escrow Services: Shop Around
Title and Escrow Services: Shop Around
When it comes to real estate, just about everything is negotiable, so don't ever let anyone tell you that services like title insurance and closing costs (escrow services) aren't.
Title insurance companies are hired, in part, to issue title insurance protection for home buyers and lenders. Lenders [...]
September 11, 2009
- Questions To Answer Before Buying A House
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Questions To Answer Before Buying A House
If you're buying a home for the first time you should take the time to learn something about real estate. Make sure you understand the terms of real estate contracts and mortgages. Don’t buy a home that costs more than you can afford [...]
September 10, 2009
- Buying a Home - Where to Start
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Buying a Home - Where to Start
Thinking of buying a home and don’t know where or how to start? What do you look for? How do you know you aren't paying too much? Was that the best deal you could have gotten for your money? How do you get the [...]
August 27, 2009
- 2 Reasons to Buy a Home Now
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2 Reasons to Buy a Home Now
While some economists believe home prices will remain low for the foreseeable future, other buyer-friendly incentives could disappear soon. If you've been on the fence about buying a home, here are some reasons why now might be the best time ever to buy:
•Record [...]
August 12, 2009
- How To Buy Your First Home
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How To Buy Your First Home
Finding the Right House
You've decided it's the right time for you to buy a house. You've gotten your finances in order, checked your credit history, and made the decision that this is the right time for you to go forward. How do you find the [...]
August 7, 2009
- What Is A Short Sale?
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What Is A Short Sale?
When home hunting, you many run across what is known as a short sale.
A short sale is a property that is being offered at a discounted price to buyers because the seller has fallen behind in their payments on the mortgage and they need to sell [...]
July 30, 2009
- How to Buy a House
How to Buy a House
First time home buyers have a million questions, and luckily, CNN financial editor and author Gerri Willis has a million answers. Here's what you need to know before you buy a home. (Video runs 3:45)Have additional questions not covered in this video? Use the comment link below to ask… your email [...]
July 23, 2009
- Homebuyers Need To Nail Best Offer Price
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Homebuyers Need To Nail Best Offer Price
Bargains abound in today's real estate market, and buyers rule — but not necessarily lowball offers.
Steep price declines are driving a selling process now more like 2005's boom market than a bust. Priced-right properties at the lower end of the market get multiple [...]
July 15, 2009
- Tips Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Consider
Tips Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Consider
1 - How Much Home Can You Afford? As a first-time home buyer, it’s important to have an accurate idea of how much money you can borrow for your new home and most importantly, how much you can afford. Sometimes those two aren’t exactly the [...]
June 29, 2009
- Pay Off Credit Cards Before Buying a House?
Pay Off Credit Cards Before Buying a House?
A reader (we'll call him Robert to protect the real identity of this comment) wrote in to ask:
Q - "I am thinking of buying a house. I have a credit card with a balance of approximately $3,000. Should I pay this off before applying for a mortgage, or [...]
June 27, 2009
- Got $2,500? Buy a House
Got $2,500? Buy a House
Rock-bottom interest rates and an $8,000 tax credit make a home possible for many first-time buyers — with no trick mortgages or financial gymnastics required.
With that tax incentive, average credit and less than $2,500 in savings, it's possible to buy a $150,000 starter home for about $1,000 a month, taxes and [...]
May 20, 2009
- Why Now is the Best Time to Buy a Home Ever
Why Now is the Best Time to Buy a Home Ever
It's no surprise to hear the term, "It's a Buyer's Market." Buy now and get the first time home buyer tax credit! Best time to buy a home, EVER!" So what's fueling this push to buy a home? What makes this the best time ever? [...]
May 11, 2009
- Buying and Selling a Home
Buying and Selling a Home
Buying and selling a home in this real estate market is not for the faint of heart!
In today’s fluctuating financial climate, there are many areas that one needs to examine before they buy or sell a home.
For instance, if you're thinking of buying a foreclosed house, you must ask not only [...]
