Buyer Tips

Benefits of Owning Your Own Home

  • The Best Investment
  • Income Tax Savings
  • Stable Monthly Housing Costs
  • Forced Savings
  • Freedom and Individuality
  • More Space

Important Things To Avoid Before Buying a Home

  • Don't Move Money Around
  • The Effect of Changing Jobs
  • No Major Purchases of Any Kind

Don't Buy a Car - or Did You Already Buy One?

  • When Income Grows and You Want to Buy "Stuff"
  • Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments
  • How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price

The Business Cycle and Buying a Home

  • Recession and Expansion
  • Supply and Demand
  • Should You Try to "Time the Market"?

Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price

  • Determining Your Offer Price
  • Comparable Sales in the Public Record
  • Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service
  • Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions
  • Other Factors Influencing Your Offer Price

Major Factors Influencing your Offer Price

  • How Property Condition Affects Your Offer
  • How Home Improvements Affect Your Offer
  • How Market Conditions Affect Your Offer
  • How Seller Motivation Affects Your Offer
  • The Final Decision on Your Offer Price

Offering to Purchase Real Estate- the Basics

  • Introduction and Overview
  • Contingencies in a Purchase Offer
  • Earnest Money Deposit
  • The Closing Date
  • Transfer of Possession

Writing an Offer - Safeguards Regarding the Property

  • Disclosures From the Seller
  • Condition of the Property Upon Transfer
  • Inspections You Should Require
  • Final Walk-Through Inspection

How Financing Details Affect Your Offer

  • Down Payment
  • Interest Rates
  • Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
  • Seller Financing
  • Cash Offers
  • Other Financing Details in Your Offer

How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer

  • Extra Costs for the Seller
  • VA and FHA Appraisals

Selecting Service Providers

  • You and the Seller Must Agree
  • Escrow and Settlement
  • Title Insurance
  • Termite and Pest Inspection