Buying a house is a huge financial step, and is one you need to take with careful consideration. It’s the quintessential American dream, but can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t do your due diligence. Typically, it’s new home buyers that tend to experience the worst nightmares because they simply overlook the fine print.…
Every home comes with extra costs, like property taxes, insurance, and maintenance fees. But when you buy into a condominium, townhouse complex, or gated community that’s governed by a homeowners association (HOA), you and other residents are also financially responsible for maintaining the common areas.…
You’d have to be living under a rock not to have noticed how much technology has taken over every aspect of our lives. But technology isn’t just about waiting for the next generation of smart phones and tablets to come out: it can also play a key role in helping you save energy in your home, and ultimately save you money.…
Many people quash their dreams of building their own homes simply because they believe they can’t afford to do so. While it’s true that building a custom home can be pricey and generally more expensive than just buying from a builder in a subdivision, there are a bunch of ways that you can shave off a few bucks here and there to make the entire process a lot more affordable.…
As you’re decorating your house, you may spend an inordinate amount of time choosing furniture and area rugs, as well as painting your walls the latest popular colors. But as you look around your rooms, you’ll undoubtedly notice something’s missing, but you can’t quite put your finger on what that something is.…
While certain buying decisions can be made on a whim, others require careful consideration. The decision to buy a home is a big one, and is likely the biggest expenditure you’ll ever make in your entire life.
While there are several factors you need to consider before pouncing on a property, now just might be the perfect time to buy – as long as all your ducks are in a row.…
You’ve installed your cabinets, countertops, and appliances in your newly remodeled kitchen. To round things off and add an dash of ‘oomph’ to your kitchen, install a custom DIY backsplash.
When it comes to this area above the countertops, there are a variety of methods and ideas you can employ, all of which are affordable and easy to install.…
Location, location, location. It’s the crux of real estate. But when it comes to buying a home in a new neighborhood, there are other factors to consider in addition to the location itself.
If you’re planning on sticking around your new neighborhood for the long haul, or want to raise a family in a good area, you’d be well-advised to do some homework and research on the community you’re contemplating.…
When it comes to buying a house, coming up with a big chunk of cash in the form of a down payment is typically the biggest obstacle.
Buyers will usually be advised to put a down payment of 20% on a home because mortgage insurance will need to be tacked onto a mortgage if it’s any less.…
A home purchase is most likely the biggest you’ll ever make, so you want to make sure you make the right decision. But mention your intentions of buying to anyone around you, and you’ll probably get an influx of opinions – whether they’re right or wrong.…
