Home Buying 101 Archive


How can owning a home pay off at tax time?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
A home provides many tax benefits, literally from the time you buy to the time you sell. The mortgage interest paid on a home loan up to $1 million for a primary residence or second home is tax deductible every year, as is the local property tax. Other mortgage costs---including ...
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Is there anything I should know about closing day?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Yes. The following to-do list can help save you a few headaches and keep the closing on track: ...
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Is it possible to save on closing costs?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Certainly, once you get pass the sticker shock. Closing costs are expensive. They can average between 2 to 3 percent of the total home purchase price. But here are a few ways to save: ...
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What are closing costs?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Closing, or settlement, costs are expenses over and above the price of the property. Both the buyer and seller incur some of these expenses when transferring ownership of a property. Who actually pays, however, often depends on local custom and what the buyer or seller negotiates. Closing costs normally include ...
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Do I need an attorney to buy a home?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
A lot depends on the state where the property is located. Some require an attorney; others do not. ...
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Does the seller take the furnishings once the home is sold?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Normally. This is because the fixtures---personal property that is permanently attached to a home, such as built-in bookcases or a furnace---automatically stay with the house unless noted otherwise in the sales contract. Anything that is not nailed down is negotiable, including appliances that are not built in, such as washers ...
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What contingencies should appear in the offer?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
When you look to purchase a home, anticipate potential problems. But protect against them so that if something does go wrong, you can cancel the contract without penalty. This is what contingencies allow you to do. They should be included in any offer you present to buy a home. ...
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What are some negotiating tips?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Know the seller's motivation to sell. This will enhance your negotiating position. Sellers who must move quickly due to a job transfer, divorce, or contract on another home, are more inclined to accept a lower price to speed the process along. ...
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Can you negotiate interest rates?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
A few lenders will negotiate the mortgage rate and number of points on a loan. However, this is more the exception than the rule with established lenders. As always, shop around and know the market before you enter a lender's office. Rates are often published in local newspapers and on ...
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Are low-ball offers a good idea?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Any offer can be presented, but a low-ball one that is extremely less than the asking price can dampen a prospective sale and prevent the seller from negotiating at all. Unless the home is overpriced to begin with the offer will probably be rejected. ...
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