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