Guide to Buying A Home
Top 5 tax breaks for homeowners
The Internal Revenue Service reports, in Publication 530, "You cannot deduct transfer taxes and charges on the sale of a personal home." Q: We bought a house this year! We put $33,000 down and the bank financed $28,000. CanRead more
Don’t Overlook a Home’s Potential
Home shopping for first-time homebuyers it's an exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, experience. If you're like others in the market for their first home, you probably have in mind exactly how your soon-to-be home will look. But it's important not toRead more
Closing Costs – What Are They
Following are definitions of typical closing costs faced by sellers: Escrow/attorney fees: Some states require third-party escrow companies handle real estate closings, while others dictate attorneys perform the function. Title companies, title agents, lenders, brokers and even real estateRead more
Title Insurance: Who Needs It?
You do, but make sure you know your options During the real estate transaction (especially if you're a first-time buyer), you're hit with so many foreign terms, fees and requirements your head spins. One of those strange and unfamiliarRead more
14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home
Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment When buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality, or get sudden amnesia about factors that may make a difference. Sometimes we want something so badly,Read more
Five Key Areas to Pay Attention to When Buying a Home
You may save money in the long run Looking for a new home can be exciting and frustrating. You can help alleviate the frustration by paying close attention to five key areas of the homes you're considering buying; itRead more
Find the Perfect Neighborhood
How to scout out the best place to call home Once you've become pre-qualified for a loan, you should be ready to put your house-hunting efforts into full gear. But don't skip the important step of scouting out neighborhoodsRead more
Getting the Best Mortgage
What did you do? You went hunting and not fishing. What is meant by that? You have to decide up front, at the very beginning which loan program works best for you. Cross your heart and hope to die.Read more
Should You Pay Discount Points?
It depends on how long you plan to keep the mortgage "Points" are mortgage loan costs typically in association with an interest rate. One point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount, so one point on aRead more
Credit Report Guide
Learn how your credit can affect loan prospects Step 1: Get a copy of your credit report. Errors in credit reports are often difficult and time-consuming to correct, even when they're not your fault. That's why it's wise to reviewRead more
How to Repair your Credit
Take the steps to make bad credit repair a reality Achieving bad credit repair--whether bad credit is the result of unpaid credit card balances, a home foreclosure or a bankruptcy filing--is not an easy task, but it is notRead more
Down Payment
Size doesn't always matter The down payment presents the biggest obstacle to homeownership for most buyers, especially first-time buyers and those in lower income brackets. Fortunately for those people, lenders have become more willing to underwrite mortgages with smallRead more
How Much Can I Afford?
Look at your income to get an idea As you think about applying for a home loan, you need to consider your personal finances. How much you earn versus how much you owe will likely determine how much aRead more
Be Careful When Pre-qualifying Online
Signing with too many lenders can hurt your credit While shopping for the best loan terms, you may be tempted to pre-qualify with more than one lender. If so, be careful. Too many pre-qualifications could affect your ability toRead more
Five Terrible Mortgage Mistakes
Make sure you're making the right choices before you sign Stay clear of the following pitfalls and you'll likely fare well in your mortgage search. Mistake 1: Not doing your homework. Don't assume that all 30-year fixed loans are theRead more
Ten Questions to Ask Your Lender
The answer to these queries will help you find the best mortgage Here are the 10 key questions to ask at application time to help you find the best overall mortgage loan. If you have already selected a lenderRead more
Mortgage Nightmares to Avoid
Here are a few mortgage nightmares to avoid Nightmare One: Pile on those debts. Henry was a successful stock trader and a newlywed in his late-20s. He had no problem qualifying for a mortgage loan—his credit was excellent and heRead more
Renting to Own
A good option for first-time homebuyers? Renting to own, otherwise known as a lease-option, provides a way for those not in a position to make an immediate purchase to settle on something that is right for them — andRead more
Making the Transition from Renting to Buying
Here are a few points to consider as you weigh the pros and cons of home ownership. No doubt you've thought of how nice it would be not to write a rent check every month, but have you doneRead more
Should You Buy or Rent?
It's not just about the numbers Emotions, family and personal reasons all come into play in any home-buying decision. No one knows what the future holds for you, your family, your job or your finances. But we can help youRead more
House-Hunting Tips
Buying a home? These eight tips can help make your house-hunting experience positive and rewarding. Location counts. You've probably heard the old real estate joke about "location, location, location," but the point still bears repeating. Location is crucial. HowRead more
Borrowing From Family and Friends to Buy a House
Parents, other relatives, or even friends who lend you money for a house can benefit too Bob Hope once said, “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it.”Read more
Ten Mistakes You Can’t Afford
Save time and money by following these rules Buying a home is complex enough but when it comes to financing, you need to make sure you are as prepared as possible in order to get a loan. There are aRead more
Take Charge When Buying A Home
Let's face it. Approaching the task of buying your next home can be overwhelming. I mean, there's so much to consider. How much house can I afford, and how can I find the best loan? Where will I comeRead more
Trouble Pulling the Trigger on Your First Home?
Tips on making the move to homeowner You’ve made up your mind to buy a place of your own. You’ve saved for a down payment and have poured over the local listings for months. Touring open houses is partRead more
Do You Have Buyer’s Paralysis?
Many issues can be at root of indecision You've looked at dozens of homes. Your SDHomeMap REALTOR® is about to tear her hair out with frustration. You are paralyzed, letting one great home after another pass you by. WhyRead more
Debating Between a Condo or a House
Which is right for you? Buying a home is one of the biggest and most important decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you are a first-time buyer, or a veteran homeowner looking to trade up or make a new start,Read more
New House or an Old One?
Consider the pros and cons to each As you embark on your venture to buy a home, one of the first decisions to make is whether to buy new or purchase an existing home. Each choice has its advantages,Read more
How to Choose a Home
Here are some tips to help determine which house is best for you. Once you've settled on a couple of neighborhoods for your search, it's time to pick out a few homes to view. Your wish list can remindRead more
Signs That You’re Ready to Buy
Six tips that tell you it's time Figuring out whether you're ready to buy a house -- whether you're a renter or are aiming to move up or size down -- can be a daunting task. But there areRead more
Can You Afford to Buy a House?
Be sure to factor in all the costs Although the thought of paying a mortgage is more enticing than paying rent, it's important to understand all the costs involved in buying and owning a home as you determine whetherRead more