Buying a Home Archives - Page 17 of 30

04

Nov

Buying a New Home? Use This Checklist to Ensure Your Finances Are in Order

Buying a home is a significant expense. It doesn't matter whether you're a first-time buyer or have experience. Unless you have a large pile of cash, you'll need to ensure your finances are in order before closing. In this post we'll explore four financial items you'll want to check off before buying a new home. Figure Out Your Current Monthly Budget First, you're going to want to sort out your monthly budget. If you've never done a budget before, start with something basic. Open up a spreadsheet or take out a piece of paper. Make two columns: 'income' and 'expenses'.…

26

Oct

By Jim Hasek

Home Buyer TipsBuying a Home, Home Buyer Tips, Tips and Strategies

First Time Home Buyers: 3 Essential Tips That You Won’t Hear from Your Friends

When it comes to diving into home ownership for the first time, it can seem like there are so many things you just don't know. Whether you're getting advice from your real estate agent, your friends or your family, there are so many things that seem like common sense that they might be lost in the mix of details. Instead of having to squeeze it out of them, here are three tips that are easily forgotten but still essential. Be Patient And Take Your Time It's certainly not the most popular advice, but one of the most important things when…

14

Oct

By Jim Hasek

Home Buyer TipsBuying a Home, Home Buyer Tips, Upgrades and Renovations

Buying a Solar-Powered Home? Watch Out for These Symptoms of Future Problems

Solar-powered homes are becoming more commonplace, and are an excellent step in the right ecological direction. That said, there are some aspects to consider if you're thinking about investing in solar energy. Read on for some salient points about living by the sun. The Sun And The Economy As solar power has grown in popularity, the government has introduced incentives to help homeowners combat the once-high costs of purchasing and installing solar panels. And companies are springing up to rent you panels and cover the cost of installation. This means that your initial costs are smaller, but also that those…

07

Oct

By Jim Hasek

Home Buyer TipsBuying a Home, Home Buyer Tips, Real Estate Tips

Master the Autumn Home Buying Season With Our Guide to Finding Local Real Estate Bargains

Most people have a good idea of the neighborhood they want to purchase a new home in. The problem is finding a great deal in the area, especially if it's a neighborhood that's very popular. Thinking outside the box and avoiding the standard real estate listings can result in some bargain properties for sale that most people are completely unaware of. Contemplate Investing In Foreclosed Homes When the housing market boomed, many people tried to take advantage by investing in a second home that they couldn't necessarily afford. This resulted in a huge market full of homes that were foreclosed…

30

Sep

By Jim Hasek

Home Buyer TipsBuying a Home, Home Buyer Tips, Moving

Moving with Children? Here’s How to Quickly Assess Whether a Community Is Family Friendly

If you're looking for a home that's in a family-friendly neighborhood, there are a few key things you can look for to make sure your new house is a good fit for both you and your children. Quality Public or Private Schools Are there good public schools nearby? If so, do they span from kindergarten all the way to high school? Finding a home in an area with a great elementary school can be a good fit for several years, but if you're looking for a home that will be convenient in the long-term it's important to consider your proximity…

22

Sep

By Jim Hasek

Home Buyer TipsBuying a Home, Home Buyer Tips, Investment Properties

Three Key Points to Remember When Investing in a Cottage or Waterfront Getaway

If you're looking to invest in a cottage or waterfront getaway, there are three key things to keep in mind throughout your search. How's The House? Even if the lake is the highlight of a property you're considering, it is important to make sure that the home is equally as great as the beautiful body of water it borders. How's its orientation? Is it built on the ideal angle to take full advantage of the sun? Does the deck or large windows face another house directly? The orientation is an important factor to consider as it can make or break…