Buying a home

• Buying a home: Overview
  Over the course of one's life, there will be no greater financial commitment made than purchasing a home.
• Buying a home: FAQs
  What is the most important thing I need to do to buy a home?
• Should you buy?
  If you're renting a property and are thinking about buying, keep in mind that both renting and buying have their own advantages and drawbacks.
• Old, new or custom home?
  When considering home ownership, there are three options, each of which brings its own sets of advantages and disadvantages to the table.
• Agents vs. FSBOs
  Buying a home can be a daunting task, but there are different ways to complete the same journey.
• Choosing a realtor
  It might make sense to work with a real estate agent who is well acquainted with the community and the things that make that community tick.
• What neighborhood?
  Personal taste and choice will play a big part in what you expect from a neighborhood, but there will be other factors to consider.
• Finding a house
  Finding the right home can be like appraising art. You're not sure what it is, it just seems to resonate with you.
• Making an offer on a home
  Because an oral offer isn't legally binding when it comes to buying and selling real estate, it is essential that the prospective buyer and seller enter into a written contract.
• Home inspections
  With a purchase as sizable as a home, you'll want to make sure there are no surprises - and no headaches.
• Checklist for buyers
  Here's a list of things to be aware of during the final walk-through of the property.

Financing Tips

• Your credit
  Anyone who plans to buy a home must make sure they have no credit problems.
• How much to spend?
  Whether you can afford the home you've always wanted will boil down to a simple factor: How much you make versus how much you owe.
• Getting a loan
  You see the home of your dreams and decide to purchase it? Now you need to pay for it.
• Should you refinance?
  While refinancing may be the right move for many, the important question remains: Is it right for you?

Selling a home

• Selling overview
  Odds are that if you've ever bought a house, you're either going to need to sell one or you've already sold one.
• Selling a home: FAQs
  If I hire a real estate agent to help with the sale of my home, what information do I need?
• Timeline for selling a home
  Each real estate market is unique, which is especially important to remember when trying to figure how long your home might be on the market.
• Choosing a realtor (when selling)
  Though there are other avenues available, experts consider it critical that someone interested in selling a home locate a Realtor to make sure the matter runs smoothly.
• Costs of selling
  Putting a home on the market can be an expensive venture, so preparation and planning can help avoid unforeseen costs, which can add up in a hurry.
• Pricing your home
  Setting an asking price for your home isn't simply a matter of remembering what you paid, marking it up for your own investment and waiting for the offers to roll in.
• Getting the house ready
  When you prepare to put your home on the market, remember this rule of thumb: If what the buyer can see looks well cared for, he or she will generally assume what they can't see has also been well cared for.
• Evaluating offers and negotiating
  The dream scenario for someone selling his or her home is a long line of prospective buyers shouting at the top of their lungs in a protracted bidding war for the home.
• Closing the sale
  Just because you've found a buyer and reached an agreed upon price, it doesn't mean the process is over. Now you have to close the deal.

Relocation & Moving

• Overview: Relocating
  You have found the house of your dreams, and signed all the mortgage papers. What next?
• Relocation: FAQs
  Frequeny asked questions about the process of relocating.
• Moving options
  When it's time to move, you have several options. You can handle the move yourself or turn the moving over to the pros.
• Moving tips
  Moving is a complicated process. Keeping up with belongings, family members, movers and a number of other tasks can be a daunting proposition.
• Storing property
  If you are between homes, or have less space available than you need, you may need a storage unit.