buy a house « Personal Finance Blog

Posts Tagged ‘buy a house’

8 Tips For Making a Lowball Offer on a House

October 11, 2011

Hoping to take advantage of the distressed real estate market and get a great deal on a new home? In many parts of the country, there are more homes for sale than there are potential buyers, putting you squarely in the driver’s seat when looking to purchase a house. There is no precise definition of a “lowball” offer, but it is generally understood to mean a price that is substantially below the asking price or even market value.

To help you find your dream home at a discount, consider the following tips for making a lowball offer.

Pros and Cons of Paying Cash for a Home

September 20, 2011

Considering paying cash for your dream home? So are more and more people. The number of all-cash deals has risen 25 percent from a year ago, making up 30 percent of May 2011 home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors. These all-cash buyers are typically either trading down for retirement, investors or wealthy folks. Learn the pros and cons of paying cash for a home, and where this is an option for you.

Your House Is Your Home, Your Castle and Your Refuge

May 10, 2011

Your home may be your castle, but when it comes time to sell it, you have to learn to emotionally detach yourself from it. Otherwise, you may be stuck wondering why potential buyers are walking away and deals are falling apart. Certified Financial Planner, Rick Kahler, explains how to detach yourself emotionally and make the sale happen.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home?

April 26, 2011

Since the housing bubble burst more than two years ago, families all across America have been holding onto to their houses. Many who considered selling decided to wait, which is good because many who considered buying decided to wait, too. But there are some indications the real estate market is beginning to recover. Depending on where you live, now may be a good time to think about buying (or selling) a home.

How to Increase the Resale Value of Your Home

April 19, 2011

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’re undoubtedly thinking about the sale price of your home, too. If you don’t know already, you’re probably wondering what your home is worth. Maybe you’ve talked to a Realtor, he’s done a market analysis and come back to you with a suggested sale price. Are you happy with that price? If you’d like to add a few more dollars, here are some things you can do to increase the re-sale value of your home.

The Best Area to Shop for a Home

April 12, 2011

Though the United States is grinding its way through a slow economic recovery, many parts of the country are still experiencing high unemployment and low housing prices. Experts are concerned that some of the hardest-hit areas have not yet bottomed out in terms of real estate prices. News like that is preventing many would-be buyers from shopping for a new home. Those same experts, however, acknowledge that there is one region in particular that didn’t suffer the same dramatic setbacks as the rest of the country. Find out what that area is and why it’s a hot home buying market.

Home Loans 101: What You Need to Qualify for a Mortgage Today

February 17, 2011

Not sure what it takes to get a home loan today? Home Loan Expert, Eric Ehrhardt, covers the most important basics – credit, equity, income and assets – so when you’re ready to buy your dream home or refinance your existing home, you’ll have everything you need to qualify and move through the mortgage process with ease.

Is Investing in a Home in 2011 a Smart Idea?

January 18, 2011

For a few years now, many of us have been trying to decide if it’s the right time yet to invest in a home. On the one hand, we want to wait until the economy is in a little bit better shape and our own employment is a little bit more secure. On the other hand, we want to take advantage of getting the best price on a home and we know that we must be near the housing market price bottom. So, what do you think, is 2011 the year that we should invest in property?

Mortgage Rates Predictions & The Economic Crystal Ball

September 3, 2008

When people find out I work for Quicken Loans or even in the financial/mortgage industry, they begin to pepper me with questions: should they buy a house (are they ready to?), what do I think their credit score is (Duh. Quizzle knows.), and the most common: where do I think mortgage rates are headed? Honestly, [...]