An Overview of the Fair Housing Act
Courtesy of the National Association of Realtors® VOICEOVER: On April 11, 1968 the Fair Housing Act was enacted into law, recognizing that property rights should not be abridged because of discrimination, based on race, color national origin or religion. Resistance,...
How To Prepare for House-Hunting
Know that there’s no “right” time to buy. If you find the perfect home now, don’t risk losing it because you’re trying to guess where the housing market and interest rates are going. Those factors usually don’t change fast enough to make a difference in an individual...
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Lender
Loan terms, rates, and products can vary significantly from one company to the next. When shopping around, these are a few things you should ask about. General questions: What are the most popular mortgages you offer? Why are they so popular? Are your rates,...
Finance a Home, Creatively
Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, Getdownpayment.com, and the American...
Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
Do you belong to a professional association? There are many associations for home inspectors, but some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Make sure the association your home inspector names is a reputable,...
Checklist: Your Mortgage Application
Every lender requires documents as part of the process of approving a mortgage loan. Here are documents you’re generally required to provide. W-2 Tax returns — or business tax returns if you're self-employed — for the last two or three years for every person...
How to Recognize a Qualified Buyer
Offers can be exciting, but unless your potential buyer has the resources to qualify for a mortgage, you may not really have a sale. Your real estate professional will try to determine a buyer’s financial status before you sign the contract. But it’s good for you to...
What to Know About the Appraisal Process
Once you are under contract, the buyer’s lender will send out an appraiser to make sure the purchase price is in line with the property’s value. Appraisals help guide mortgage terms. The appraised value of a home is an important factor in the loan underwriting...
How to Attract More Buyers
These tips will help you convince buyers your property offers top value for their dollar. Amp up curb appeal. Look at your home objectively from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, and house number....
7 Reasons to Own A Home
Tax benefits The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home. Appreciation Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median...