Home buying is difficult whether you know the area or not. If you're leaving a location you're used to, it can be overwhelming to decide on a new place to live. There are some questions you can ask to determine your priorities and whether a new location is a good fit. Here are some to begin with: How's...

Buying the house itself is only part of home buying. When you buy a new home, you choose a brand new place to live. In some cases, that place might be unfamiliar or far away from where you lived before. So, it's important to keep the local area in mind during your search. But how can you determine...

When preparing for a new home purchase, it’s crucial to plan for the average closing costs for buyer hopefuls on a budget. Closing costs are made up of various service charges associated with the entire home buying process, including appraisals and title paperwork. Because closing costs can add up to thousands of dollars, it’s helpful to prepare for...

In real estate, a contingency is any clause in the purchase offer that gives the buyer a way to back out if certain requirements aren’t met. There are many types of contingencies used in home sales all covering different circumstances to protect the buyer’s best interest. The most common type of contingency is a home inspection contingency, which...

For many prospective homebuyers, the thought of waiting for a forever home instead of a starter home can be tempting. After all, there are plenty of advantages to patience and careful saving until you can afford or find the house that’s perfect for you and your future plans. However, there are downsides to consider. Here we’ll go over...