When you're on the market for a new home you'll have lots of housing types to choose from. One of these is the cooperative, or co-op for short. Co-ops differ from traditional housing in a lot of important ways. They won't appeal to everyone, but some are sure to see...
The day you close on your home will be a big day. After weeks of searching, open houses, negotiating and securing financing you’re finally ready to accept the keys to your new home. But what actually happens on closing day? Most buyers know they'll be signing a lot of...
Real estate transactions are rarely a done deal once the purchase contract has been signed. There are still a few steps to get through before you reach your closing day, one of which is the title search. This is when documents on the history of a property are reviewed...
In real estate, there’s often a misunderstood and confusing part of the buying process. Who pays for the buyer’s agent? Most real estate agents fall into two categories, the Exclusive Buyer Agent or the seller’s (listing) agent. As the names suggest, seller’s agents...
So after a lot of open houses and tough decisions, you finally have a signed deal. At this point, it might be tempting to pop open the champagne but don't just yet. Just because you have a signed contract doesn't mean things can't go wrong. There are still a few steps...
Anyone who's looked into the home buying process will have come across the term "earnest money" a few times. What is it? Simply put, it's a "good faith" deposit that is paid once you've made an offer on a home. It's intended as a way to show the seller that you're...
In the real estate game, you’ll often hear the phrase “Days on the Market” (DOM). For home buyers, this is a crucially important term to understand. Why? Because it tells you how long a home listing has been on the market. The higher that number gets the more its...
If you’re a home buyer looking for a bargain (what buyer isn’t?) then one option to consider is a HUD home. This is a home owned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. When a buyer who took out an FHA loan forecloses, the property goes to HUD. But...
Today we’ll be looking at the due diligence part of the buying process. This is an important process that no buyer can afford to leave out. By doing your due dilligence you will avoid buying a home which has more issues than you might first realize. What is Due...
Most people have heard of Home Owners Associations (HOA), but fewer people know about them in the detail they should. These are homes in areas that typically have walled enclosures, swimming pools, tennis courts, and other amenities. All of which are only available to...
The real estate industry is full of buzzwords and catchphrases. The one we’ll be looking at today is the price per square foot. This is a phrase you’ll hear a lot when comparing different homes on the market. It’s meant to give you an idea of a home’s market value and...
Whether it's your first home purchase or your fifth, buying a home always comes with a lot of emotional baggage. As your closing day draws near, that emotional baggage can start to grow. Was this really a good deal? Would you have been better off waiting for another...