Buyer Tips

Don't Buy a Car - or Did You Already Buy One?
When Income Grows and You Want to Buy "Stuff"
Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments
How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price

Things Not To Do Before Buying a Home
No Major Purchases of Any Kind
Don't Move Money Around
Should You Change Jobs?

Reasons to Delay Buying a Home

Why Buying a Home is a Good Idea
The Best Investment
Income Tax Savings
Stable Monthly Housing Costs
Forced Savings
Freedom and Individuality
 
The Business Cycle and Buying a Home
Recession and Expansion
Supply and Demand
Should You Try to "Time the Market"?
Why You Should Not Wait  

What's More important -  Buying a House?  Or a Home? 

Why Search for A Realtor?
Finding an Agent by "Accident"
Listing Agents vs. Selling (Buyer's) Agents
Should You Call the Listing Agent?
Agent's Advertising - Is the Purpose What You Think?
Finding Your Own Realtor
Some Basics About the Search
How to Conduct the Search
Interviewing A Good Realtor
When the Agent Asks You for an Appointment

Looking Ahead - Buyer's Remorse

Buying a Home With Resale Value - Location
Location, Location, Location?
Location - Local Community, Town or City
Location - the Local Neighborhood
Location - the Residential Neighborhood

Buying a Home With Resale Value - the House
A Home With a View?
Lot Choice and Landscaping
House Size
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Closets, Garage & Laundry
Kitchen
Fireplaces
Swimming Pool?

Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price
Determining Your Offer Price
Comparable Sales in the Public Record
Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service
Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions

Factors Affecting Your Offer Price
How Property Condition Affects Your Offer
How Home Improvements Affect Your Offer
How Market Conditions Affect Your Offer
How Seller Motivation Affects Your Offer
The Final Decision on Your Offer Price

Offering to Purchase Real Estate- the Basics
Introduction and Overview
Contingencies in a Purchase Offer
Earnest Money Deposit
The Closing Date
Transfer of Possession

Writing an Offer - Safeguards Regarding the Property
Disclosures From the Seller
Condition of the Property Upon Transfer
Inspections You May Require
Final Walk-Through Inspection

How Financing Details Affect Your Offer
Down Payment
Interest Rate
Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
Seller Financing
Cash Offers

How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer
Extra Costs for the Seller
More Detailed (and expensive) Appraisals

You and the Seller Must Agree on Some Services
Settlement and Escrow
Title Insurance Companies
Termite and Pest Inspections

Buyer's Remorse- Did You Make a Huge Mistake?