Real Estate Articles

How Savvy are You about Homeowner Tax Breaks?

Here are 4 ways to get more money and stay out of trouble.

As a homeowner, your 2014 tax forms might as well have “déjà vu“stamped all over them, especially since Congress has extended some temporary forms of tax relief.

So relax. You know the drill. Or do you?

Let’s find out. Before you do your taxes or […]

By |March 5th, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on How Savvy are You about Homeowner Tax Breaks?

Top 5 Reasons to Buy a House Right Now

Buying a house is a highly individual decision—and a local one—but current trends are creating a favorable situation for many would-be homeowners.

Interest rates are low, employment is rising, home prices—in most markets—are still well below their peaks, and rents are through the roof.

Every family and each individual has various factors affecting the ability and the […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on Top 5 Reasons to Buy a House Right Now

14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. “Sometimes we want something so badly, we’re not willing to ask all the questions we should,” says Leslie Levine, author of “Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?” To make sure your dream home isn’t a mirage, follow these […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on 14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home

Should You Buy a House or a Condo?

If you’re moving to a new city, you’ll likely face a critical decision: Should your new home be a single-family house or a condo? With rates on average mortgage loans trending near all-time lows, this is certainly the time to buy any property.

Here’s a handy, five-step guide to help you make the home vs. condo […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on Should You Buy a House or a Condo?

What You Should Look for When House Hunting

By Diana Lundin

Keep your eye on these big-ticket items when shopping for a home. If you’re shopping for a home and can afford to buy one, you couldn’t be in a better position right now. In many parts of the country, housing inventory is high and both home prices and interest rates are low and […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on What You Should Look for When House Hunting

The Basics of Making an Offer on a House

Like marriage, home-buying is one part love, one part legal transaction, and starts with a proposal. When you’re ready to buy a home, making an offer is important: oral promises are not legally enforceable in real estate sales.

REALTORS® usually have a variety of standard forms (including Residential Purchase Agreements) kept up to date with the […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on The Basics of Making an Offer on a House

Owning vs. Renting a Home

Buying a home in order to build equity is one of the main financial reasons prospective buyers jump into the market. At least that was a major factor prior to the financial crisis of 2008, when the U.S. housing market suffered widespread losses. Homeowners and prospective homeowners may now look more closely at the costs […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on Owning vs. Renting a Home

So, You Want a Mortgage? What You’ll Need to Get Approved Fast

By David Weliver

What does it take to get a mortgage? Yes, you need a good credit score, but here we look at what else you need before you apply for a home loan. Usually, this includes a job and a reliable income history that can be verified by at least two years of tax […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on So, You Want a Mortgage? What You’ll Need to Get Approved Fast

Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

Buying a house can give you more than just the pride of ownership, there are several tax benefits as well. You can deduct the interest, mortgage points, property taxes, and even part of the principal of your mortgage if you have a home office. And the sellers aren’t left out, there are tax benefits for […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

7 Reasons Why It’s Still a Prime Time To Buy a Home

By Sabah Karimi

If you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge and buying a home, the last quarter of 2013 might just be the time to do it. Rates on fixed-rate loans are still appealing, and experts say it’s still cheaper to buy than rent. Some financial institutions are also a little more lax with their […]

By |February 23rd, 2015|Real Estate Articles|Comments Off on 7 Reasons Why It’s Still a Prime Time To Buy a Home