If you (or you and your partner or spouse) want to buy your first home, start by determining if you are ready to make a long-term (and expensive) commitment to a house. Your short-term or long-term plans, such as starting a family or moving out of state, could inform that decision...
So let’s cover how to buy a house—without a Sears catalog. 1. Determine if it’s the right time to buy a home The very first question in the homebuying process is a Shakespearean one: To buy, or not to buy? You can gauge whether it’s a good time to buy a house by lo...
When a home appraises for less than the offer amount, your financing may fall through, or you may have to put more money down to buy the property. A property appraisal contingency lets you back out if the appraisal comes in lower than a certain amount. » MORE: Appraisal gap: When a...
Buying a house: A step-by-step guide1. Determine why you want to buy a housePurchasing a home is a major decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you’re not clear on exactly what you want out of homeownership, you could end up regretting your choice....
seek out recommendations from friends or family, or ask your real estate agent for a list of home inspectors they've worked with in the past. Getting your home inspection taken care of within the contingency period of your offer allows you to renegotiate based on the findings of the inspectio...
When looking to buy a home, pay for the title insurance to ensure that the house does not have a lien or judgement on it. Liens and judgements can be placed on the home or property by other companies, unpaid bills or individuals. If a lien is attached to the home or individual, it ...
The house is also directly across the street from Interstate 5, on the other side of the freeway’s sound barrier wall. But that didn’t stop 14 people from making offers to buy the bungalow. The 1,400-square-foot home sold this month for $908,000 — well over the $800,000...
Is now the right time to buy a home? How much can you afford to spend on your first home purchase? Getting your down payment monies squared away. Planning to pay the closing costs. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Choosing the right home loan. ...
We talked to real estate brokers, lenders and recent buyers to put together a more realistic picture. Before you buy Saving up:Long before you set up your Redfin alerts, your financial status will shape your homebuying experience. How much do you make? How much have ...
Pay attention to the contingency dates you include in your contract, especially if it’s for financing, and meet those deadlines to avoid losing your deposit. Book a home inspection immediately. In California, all contingencies must be fulfilled within 17 days of an executed contract; other state...