Should you continue to rent or is it time to buy? Generally, the more time you plan to live in a home, the more sense it makes to buy. If you have just moved to a community, renting — at least initially — may be a better option as you get to... (Read More)

"New car smell" is divine, but nothing quite like the smell — and look — of a newly-built home. Pristine carpets, unblemished walls, the smell of freshly-cut lumber lingering in the air — it's hard to beat the excitement of taking ownership of... (Read More)

No one likes to read mounds of paperwork when buying a home. But there's one form you definitely don't want to gloss over. The closing disclosure form is one of the most important documents you'll review when buying a home. It explains the terms and... (Read More)

The appraisal is an important part of the home buying process. But what happens if the appraisal comes up short of the agreed-upon selling price? Here's an example: A home is listed for sale for $350,000. It's a multiple bidding situation, so you... (Read More)

Which renovation projects provide the biggest return on your investment when it comes time to sell your home? You can get a pretty good idea of which upgrades offer a better ROI than others by taking a look at Remodeling Magazine's Cost Vs. Value... (Read More)

The right moving company can help make your move to a new home a success. But the wrong one? It could lead to a moving day disaster. Here are some ways to tell if you are hiring a reputable moving company: —They come to your home, inventory... (Read More)

Mortgage rates are on the move. When is the best time to "lock" your mortgage rate? And for how long should your lock be effective? If you're buying or building a home, you'll have to answer both of these questions. Unfortunately, there's not a... (Read More)

You found a home that's in the right neighborhood and an easy commute to work. The only problem: It's listed for sale in 'as-is' condition. What does that mean? A home that's being offered for sale in 'as-is' condition means that the owner is... (Read More)

When purchasing a home, your mortgage pre-approval is based on your current financial situation. That's why once you are pre-approved, you should avoid making big changes to your finances. Here are several things you'll want to avoid doing while... (Read More)

The spring home buying season typically doesn't shift into high gear until April or May, but if you're thinking about purchasing a home this year you may want to consider getting started now. Mortgage rates remain low, and lenders aren't quite as... (Read More)