home buying: Buying a House? How to work with your realtor - 01/24/18 11:46 AM
Buying a house? How to work with your realtor.
 
When you hire a realtor to assist you in buying a house, it is  important that you get the most bang for the buck. Here are some tips to help you maximize your resourse and make your home buying experience go more smoothly.
 
Be Punctual.  Make sure you keep your appointments and be on time. While the agent works for you don't assume that you are the only client that they have. Most realtors have several clients that they are working with at any given time, their schedules can be very hectic. Respect your … (2 comments)

home buying: 3 Great Reasons to Purchase a House This Spring - 02/16/17 12:08 PM
3 Great Reasons to Purchase a House This Spring
 
As New England slowly recovers from the impact of several snowstorms this past week, it is difficult to think that Spring is just right around the corner. Spring is a great time to purchase a home. It is a wonderful season with blossoming flowers, plenty of sunshine and comfortable tempetures.
 
There are many reasons to buy a home in the Spring. Here are three:
 
You can take advantage of your tax refund check.
Use your tax refund check to help your home purchase this Spring. When it comes to buying a house, every penny counts. Whatever … (1 comments)

home buying: Why Live in New England? - 06/13/16 01:58 AM
Why Live in New England?
The United States offers many great places to call home. From the Pacific Northwest , the majestic Rockies, the beautiful Great Lakes, the charming South, as well as other regions, we are blessed with living in the most dynamic and beautiful countries in the world.
However, perhaps the best region of the country to live in and call home is New England. The six states, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hampshire, are rich with history and boast some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire country. In my opinion, New England has it all. … (0 comments)

home buying: Are You Financially Ready to Purchase a House? - 06/06/16 02:22 AM
Are You Financially Ready to Purchase a House?
 

Home ownership is a lifetime milestone, it gives you a sense of fulfillment and helps boost your self-esteem. Home ownership is a long term investment and should not be taken lightly. The most important factor when thinking about becoing a home owner is the present state of your finances.
Before you start shopping for a house, take into consideration the following factors:
 
Have you set aside enough money for the down payment? The amount you will need will vary based on the price of the home and your lender. Zero down mortgages are possible, but the interest … (0 comments)

home buying: Be a Decisive Buyer - 04/28/16 01:56 AM
 
Be a decisive buyer.
 
Before you and your real estate agent start searching prospective properties, there are several decisions that you need to make. These include a definitive price range, a relatively specific location, and the type of property you want.
 
Let's  face it, you're busy and taking the time to develop a precise budget, property type, ans a short list of communities that you would like to live in, ensures you are makingthe most out of your time in your home search.
 
Get to know the area and the communities that you will be looking in. … (0 comments)

home buying: Finding the Right Neighborhood - 04/05/16 02:26 AM
Finding the right neighborhood.
 
When shopping for a home, most people concentrate on searching for the perfect home with all the amenities and features that they desire. But equally important is finding the right neighborhood. To find the ideal setting for your new home, both the house and the neighborhood need to offer what your family desires.
 
The following information should be helpful when trying to find the right neighborhood for you and your family.
 
Establish a list of the characteristics that fit your idea of the perfect neighborhood, making sure to consider both your long and short … (1 comments)

home buying: Pet Proofing the Backyard - 09/09/15 01:45 AM
Pet proofing the backyard
 
 
If you are a dog owner, and you are making the transition from an apartment or condo into a home, complete with a backyard, then your life is about to get a lot easier.  You'll no longer have to take your dog on long walks for bathroom breaks, and your dog will be a lot happier being able to freely roam an outdoor area without a leash.  Win-win for everyone, right?  Not so fast.  There's a few things you'll need to do in order to avoid some potentially stressful headaches in the very near future.  I'll attempt to … (0 comments)

home buying: Is a Condo Right for You? - 06/30/15 01:13 AM
 
 
Is a Condo Right for You?
 
Condos are a popular alternative to owning a single family home, appealing to many segments of the population.  From couples who are just starting out together to retirees, and everyone in between, condos are a smart choice that offers many advantages.
 
There are different types of condos. They take the form of apartment-style complexes, townhouses or converted multi-family dwellings. Most condominiums have common areas, such as fitness centers, pools, walking paths and gardens. These common areas are under shared ownership. Each unit owner holds an interest in these spaces.
 
To deal with the maintenance and upkeep of … (8 comments)

home buying: Buying Your First Home - 04/29/15 03:23 AM
Buying Your First Home 
 
Owning your own home is part of the "American Dream" and now you have decided that it is time for you to follow in that part of the dream yourself. But remember that buying a home is a big decision, and typically not one you make overnight. You need to take the time to prepare yourself.
 
Here are some basic steps you should follow when you have decided the time is right:
 
Ask yourself, am I ready? Owning a home is quite different than renting. Owning a home is more expensive than renting. There are added expenses such as … (0 comments)

home buying: So what makes a good neighbor? - 04/05/15 11:42 PM
 
One of the most important things buyers are looking for when searching for a home is that it is located in a “good neighborhood”. But what makes a “good neighborhood”?  The answer is the people who live there, of course, the neighbors. So what makes a good neighbor?
 Good neighbors are usually taken for granted. Most people usually do not comment that they have a good neighbor but they are quick to comment and complain about a bad one. Follow these tips on being a good neighbor.
Maintain your home and the area around your home so that it's neat and attractive.  Perform … (11 comments)

home buying: The Final Walkthrough: What to Look Out For - 03/30/15 04:08 AM
 
The Final Walkthrough: What to Look Out For
 
 
 
When purchasing a home the last thing you do prior to closing is the final walkthrough. The purpose of this walkthrough is to make sure the house is being delivered as agreed in your contract. You will want to make sure the seller is leaving the house in working order and no problems with the house have occurred since the last time you where there, which was several weeks ago, probably at the home inspection.
 
 
Here is a quick checklist that will help you make the most … (0 comments)

home buying: Things to Consider when Buying a Home - 03/19/15 04:53 AM
 
Things to Consider when Buying a Home
 
 
 
When buying a home there is a lot to consider and it can be easy to become overwhelmed with all the possibilities. It is important to look past the cosmetics of the house and keep focused on the important aspects when house shopping.
 
There are a few key features that are the most important things to consider when buying a house, outside of finances:
 
Space
 
Before looking at houses, decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you absolutely must have for the size of your family. Then, … (1 comments)

home buying: Are you ready for home ownership? - 03/09/15 01:43 AM
 
Are you ready for home ownership?
 
 
 
Owning a home is part of the American Dream. Owning a home gives you a sense of fulfillment, and helps boost your self-esteem.  However, it is a long term investment and should not be taken lightly. The most important factor to consider before taking the road towards home ownership is the current state of your finances.
 
·         Have you set aside enough money for the down payment?  The amount you need for a down payment varies on the price of the house, the type of mortgage loan you plan … (0 comments)

home buying: Finding the Perfect Neighborhood - 02/13/15 04:39 AM
 
Most buyers when searching for a new home really want to find the perfect house. They should also be searching for the perfect neighborhood as well. The perfect house in a not-so-perfect neighborhood can result in dissatisfaction of the perfect house over the course of time.  To find the superb setting for your new home, the house and neighborhood need to offer what your family desires.  The following information should be helpful when trying to determine if a neighborhood is right for you.
 
Start by making a list of the characteristics your ideal neighborhood should have, taking into … (0 comments)

home buying: Moving Out of State - 10/14/14 05:01 AM

Moving Out of State
 
If you happen to find yourself moving to another state in the near future, you've got your work cut out for you.  On top of having to deal with the stress of relocating your family in an unfamiliar place, you'll have a lot of paperwork and research to consider before the big day.  Here are four things that you'll need to have covered if you hope to have a seamless transition into a new residence. 
 
 1.  Cost of living. - The cost of living can vary dramatically from state to state.  If you're … (0 comments)

home buying: How to Get Ready to Buy Your First Home - 10/10/14 07:01 AM
 
 
How to Get Ready to Buy Your First Home
 
 Are you ready to buy your first home? 
 
Home ownership is quite different than renting. Owning a home is a lot more expensive than renting. You, not your landlord, will have the added expenses and responsibility of owning property. There will be expenses like repairs, added utility costs, plus taxes and insurance related to your home.  You will want to get your finances squared away before you purchase your first home.

 
 
Here are some tips to get you on the right track:
 
Get … (1 comments)

home buying: Things You Might Not Think Of When Buying a Home - 10/07/14 07:40 AM

 
 
 
 
Things You Might Not Think Of When Buying a Home
 
Buying a home is a big undertaking; there are so many things to consider and think about. When you are house shopping it can be difficult to think of everything,   it can be easy to get caught up in things that may not be as important after you move in like storage, parking, and privacy.
 
It is a good idea to make a checklist of the things that you must have in a home so you don't get caught up in the new granite … (0 comments)

home buying: Picking the Right Neighborhood - 09/26/14 08:12 AM
 
Picking the Right Neighborhood
 
When shopping for a home, most people take their time searching for the perfect house. As well as the perfect home, buyers should also consider searching for the perfect neighborhood. To find the ideal setting for your new home, the house and neighborhood need to offer what you and your family desires.  The following information should be helpful when trying to determine if a neighborhood is right for you.
 
Paint a mental picture of your perfect neighborhood.  Make a wish list of the characteristics your ideal neighborhood would have, taking into consideration your … (5 comments)

home buying: How to Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time - 09/20/14 09:25 PM
 
How to Sell and Buy a Home at the Same Time
 
 
Trying to buy and sell a home at the same time can be a challenge. The reason this can be difficult is because there is no guarantee that your new home will close at the same time as your old home. However, selling and buying a home at the same time is possible but you will need help. Here are a few tips on how to get into your home while closing on your own home:
 
1. Hire a real estate professional. This is almost … (2 comments)

home buying: Buying a Home in the Fall - 09/18/14 05:38 AM

 
Buying a Home in the Fall
 
When people think of a hot real estate market they usually think about the spring market but the fall is also a busy time for real estate and a great time to buy.  There are many benefits to buying a home in the fall:
 
 
·         Tax Breaks Buying a home towards the end of the year is a great way to get a tax break. Home buyers can deduct both mortgage interest and property taxes from gross income on their taxes. Buyers may also be able to deduct prepaid interest … (0 comments)