Buying

Learn more about the home buying process from start to finish, including how to save money to buy a house, how to make an offer, and more.

Buying How to Reduce Your Interest Rate: Mortgage Buydowns This blog post contains contributions from Penrith Home Loans. When mortgage rates are up, prospective buyers can often feel like they’re at a disadvantage as they go about securing a home loan. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your interest rate to make your monthly mortgage payments more affordable. What are mortgage buydowns? A mortgage […]
Buying 8 Costs of Renting a Home If you’re not quite ready to buy a house, it may be better to rent for the time being. Though renting can be the more affordable option, being a tenant in someone else’s home still comes with its own unique set of costs. Here are eight common costs you should be aware of before signing […]
Buying What is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? In the process of buying or selling a home, you’ll frequently come across the term “MLS.” The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a group of regional databases of homes for sale accessible only to real estate agents and brokers. Their ability to access the MLS makes it easier for buyers to find the right home […]
Buying Real Estate Terminology: Contingent, Pending, Under Contract, and More Different real estate transactions have different conditions based on the status of the listing. The following information is meant to clarify some common real estate terms that describe a home for sale and its position in the closing process. For sellers, understanding this terminology will inform your conversations with your agent when it comes time […]
Buying Homeownership Terms to Know: Rent-Back Agreement, Joint Tenancy & More From the outside, buying a home may seem like a zero-sum game: the seller relinquishes ownership of a property to the buyer in exchange for money and the buyer becomes the property’s new outright owner. However, there’s more nuance to homeownership than meets the eye. The following homeownership agreements provide alternatives to a traditional home […]
Buying The Importance of Working with an Experienced Equestrian Real Estate Agent Equestrian properties are not your typical residential homes. The land serves a purpose beyond addressing the homeowner’s needs, and everything on the premises revolves around making sure the horses are at their best. And horses are not your average domestic pets. Tending to them is a full-time job that consists of constant hard work. When […]
Buying House vs. Townhouse vs. Condo Deciding between a house, townhouse, and condominium can be a difficult process. Knowing how their characteristics align with your life and goals as a homeowner will help guide you to the right choice.
Buying Buyer Beware: Is That House For Sale Haunted? A trope as old as horror movies: a family moves into a beautiful house that they bought for well under market value. They’ve put all their savings into the move, and they’re looking for a fresh start. When they meet the neighbors and other townsfolk, they quickly learn that there’s a history to the home […]
Don't Miss Our Next Post
Subscribe Now
Buying How to Save Money to Buy a House It’s no secret that buying a home is a serious financial undertaking, but aspiring homeowners are often left wondering what the methods behind the process actually look like. One of the telltale signs that you’re ready to buy a home is having substantial savings to use toward the purchase. The following information goes under the […]
Buying What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)? An integral part of the formula to successfully buying a home is securing the correct amount of financing. Once you’ve found the home you’d like to pursue, one of your primary tasks is exploring different loan products to see which best fits your situation. Eventually, you’ll come to a fork in the road where you’ll […]
Buying Making a Down Payment on a Home Imagine the process of financing a home purchase as a relay race. From start to finish, the baton must be passed several times between interconnected transactions. The down payment plays an important role in the relay race and will help you cross the finish line, but how much money do you put down? And when […]
Buying Making a Contingent Offer: Common Real Estate Contingencies Imagine a home-buying scenario where you make an offer, the seller immediately accepts, and the two of you move through closing without any hiccups until you have keys in hand. It’s possible, but a more likely home buying experience is marked by negotiation, counteroffers, and a back-and-forth dialogue between both parties to reach a deal. […]
Buying What Is a Homeowners Association and How Much Are HOA Fees? Becoming a homeowner comes with many responsibilities, but if the home you’re purchasing requires you to be part of a Homeowners Association (HOA), you’ll have to follow additional guidelines and pay additional fees. As you’re looking for homes, talk to your agent about whether purchasing a home that’s part of an HOA is right for […]
Buying How to Win a Bidding War When Buying a House In a seller’s market, many buyers are competing for a limited number of homes. This creates fierce competition amongst buyers and ideal selling conditions for sellers. Sellers will commonly receive multiple offers for their home, often over their original asking price. As the offers stack up, bidding wars will ensue, since only one buyer can […]
Buying The Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and a Mortgage Broker Throughout the course of buying a home, you’ll work with a variety of professionals, all with specific training to help you through each stage of the process. With such a cast of specialists around you, it’s helpful to know everyone’s responsibilities and which questions to ask whom. One important distinction to be made is the […]
Buying What Happens After Making an Offer on a House? Making an offer on a house feels like a reason to celebrate. You’ve applied for financing, worked with your agent to search for available listings, put in time attending open houses, and have found the place you’re ready to call home. However, celebrating at this stage in the buying process could leave you heartbroken if […]
Buying Managing Expectations as a First-Time Home Buyer There’s a first time for everything. As a first-time home buyer, navigating the uncharted territory of the home buying process can be challenging to say the least. Although every home purchase is unique, there are certain knowns that can help you manage your expectations. Once you’re ready to buy, knowing a bit more about how […]
Buying When is the Best Time to Buy a House? There’s a factor of the home buying process that can often be the catalyst for everything that follows. That factor is timing. Much of the dialogue—rightfully so—around buying a home is focused on the “what.” However, it’s often the case that the “when” is just as important. So, when is the best time to buy […]
Buying Renting vs Buying: Which is better for you? The debate about whether it makes more financial sense to rent or buy has been raging for decades. Advocates of buying argue that when you pay rent you’re paying for someone else’s mortgage. When you buy, you are making an investment, which can significantly increase in value every year you live in the home.
Buying What to Consider When Buying a Second Home In some ways, the process of buying a second home is like buying a primary home. However, there are several key differences that require consideration before you make an offer. Whether you have visions of curating your ideal vacation home, are planning for retirement, or view the property as an investment opportunity, a second home […]