Buying a Home

Buying a home can be a daunting task, no matter how many times you've done it before. Find tips and tricks to finding the perfect house in these articles.

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The market is still saturated with distressed homes for sales -- homes whose owner is in default on the mortgage. That means they could be a great bargain -- if you know what to look for and what you're up against.

By Matt Sailor

There's a lot to know about buying a distressed property -- one whose owner has defaulted or is about to default on his or her mortgage. So is a short sale or foreclosure right for you?

By Matt Sailor

So you're ready to purchase a home. But exactly how much should you have saved before you even begin the process? You might be surprised to find out.

By Terri Briseno

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How are you supposed to know when buying a home is right for you? That's hard to answer. But one thing is for sure: It's never too early to know what financial factors you need to consider when the time does arrive.

By Terri Briseno

Nearly two in five existing homes suffer from some type of major defect. Will your home inspector catch those problems?

By Bambi Turner

In cities across America, street-level homes have come in and out of vogue several times over the years, especially with people seeking an urban lifestyle. What are some important things to know before buying one of these properties?

By Jacob Clifton

Many factors contribute to a property's desirability. Find out what factors make a house’s location desirable in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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A buyer's agent helps you in your search for a new home. Learn the benefits of hiring a buyer’s agent in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

When purchasing a house, it’s best to use a buyer’s agent who looks out for your interests. Learn more about some tips for dealing with a buyer’s agent from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You don't want to spend too much on a house, but you don't want to lose the house of your dreams either. Learn how to negotiate the price of a house from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

While it’s not often that a buyer buys a house “sight unseen” over the Internet, you can learn useful information online about a property. Learn more about buying a house online from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Before you buy a house, it's recommended that you always get a home inspection to weed out any problems. But the inspection doesn't cover everything, so you'll have to be a super sleuth yourself to expose potential issues.

By Sara Elliott

You've discovered a great resort community and had a wonderful time. You'd love to go back whenever you want and enjoy a home there for years, maybe making money in the process. What are some tips for investing in a vacation home?

By Rebecca Fairley Raney

To those who enjoy the life of the city, a garden-level home is not just a dark basement dungeon: It's a whole new view of the world. But what should you look for if you're in the market for a garden-level property?

By Jacob Clifton

Myriad tax incentives exist at the local, state and federal levels to encourage responsible citizens to pony up the costs of upkeep on historic property. What are some tax benefits you could receive by owning one of these properties?

By Garth Sundem

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In the hangover following the crazy lending spree that led to the nation's credit crisis, the banks are sticking to strict standards when it comes to lending. In these tough times, can you afford a vacation home?

By Rebecca Fairley Raney

To apply for a mortgage you need to go to a lender, and the lender does a background check to assess your credit rating. Learn what you need when applying for a mortgage from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Costs for buying a home go beyond the mortgage and down payment. Learn what the extra costs for buying a home are in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You're interested in purchasing property, but not just any property -- you want something historic. What are some important things to know before you start shopping for a historic property?

By Garth Sundem

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While the name might imply that a short sale is a quick transaction, it can be anything but. "Short" refers to the bank taking a loss on the property, not the amount of time it takes. So why do short sales take longer to close?

By Becky Striepe

A short sale is accomplished when a bank accepts an offer lower than the amount owed by the homeowner, and this can lead to a deal for an investor.

By Denise Harrison

Finding out the name of a property's owner is usually fast and easy. Learn about how to find out who owns a property in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The process of purchasing a home through NACA includes several months of counseling. You can learn more about how NACA mortgage consultants operate from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Unfortunately, many people have fallen prey to predatory loan practices and have lost their homes and savings to the banks. Learn how NACA raises awareness of these issues and helps fight for borrowers in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Rental applications help landlords assess whether or not a prospective tenant will pay the rent on time. Learn about what should be included in a rental application in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors