Buying a Home

Maybe you've seen ads for raw land at low prices and think this could be a good investment. Before you buy any, read our 10 tips so you won't be left high and dry with some useless swampland.

By Jodie Schneider

Most of the water we drink and use is groundwater coming from rain or snow that has collected in the ground. The groundwater level on your land can impact the type of house, complex or well you're planning to build. We'll show you how.

By Jodie Schneider

Restrictive covenants help enforce standards and uniformity in neighborhoods. But they can also ban you from building fences, adding a pool and even cutting down trees. So how can you get out a restrictive covenant?

By Matt Sailor

There are many sneaky pitfalls that can hurt your chances of being accepted by a co-op board, because they have the legal right to be rather arbitrary. What are some things that might cause the board to reject you?

By Garth Sundem

It's true that anyone can shop for a house, and even get a peek inside, without formally signing on with a real estate agent. But what are some of the benefits of using an agent to buy your new home?

By Rebecca Fairley Raney

Buying a house is a bit easier these days thanks to technology. There are now so many tools to aid us in the process that we can do much of the work from home. These are 10 tools that harness the power of modern technology and make the home buying process as painless as possible.

By Wesley Fenlon

When the economy sours, home vacancies dramatically increase. But who is responsible for abandoned properties, and what can you do about it? We have the answers.

By Sarah Winkler

Your friends are meeting you to help unload the truck and arrange furniture. But what else do you need to do when you arrive at your new home?

By Katherine Neer

All your stuff is finally at the new house and most of it is unpacked. So your house is starting to feel homey, but you're not quite as at home in your new town. What can you do to fix that?

By Katherine Neer

Before you buy a home, you need to know exactly what you're spending so much money on. But what if the inspection comes back with major flaws? At what point do you walk away from your dream house? That depends on you.

By Echo Surina

Finding a real estate agent that you can trust is the first step toward a smooth process when buying a home. Learn about finding a real estate agent.

A landlord is the guy some people love to hate. He wants his money on time -- no excuses. But does renting and maintaining property really make him work hard for his money?

By Dave Roos

Buying or selling a home can be stressful, but choosing the right real estate agent can reduce the hassle. Proper interviewing will help you find one who sees you as more than just a fat paycheck.

By Caitlin Uttley

You've found your dream home. The asking price is $300,000 -- an amount you've already been pre-approved for by your bank. But is the home really worth that amount? That's the question at the heart of the home appraisal.

By Sarah Siddons

You may have heard there's still money in real estate, but it seems so confusing. Is there a way to learn more, mingle with some like-minded people, perhaps find a more seasoned investor to mentor you? Absolutely. Just find a real estate investment club.

By Sarah Siddons

The Beatles' John Lennon belonged to one. Madonna was rejected by one. So was former President Richard Nixon. What are they? Housing cooperatives, known as co-ops. But what are they? And why are they so exclusive?

By Sarah Siddons

In medieval Europe, property taxes were based on the size of a piece of land: the larger the piece of land, the higher the real estate property tax. Today, property taxes in the United States are based mostly what's on the land, too.

By John Barrymore

What do you do when you work, but can't pay the rent? Section 8 is a federal housing assistance program designed to help families overspending on rent. However, families must meet stringent income requirements and can spend years languishing on a waiting list for prized housing vouchers.

By John Barrymore

So maybe you don't have a great credit history, or you're having trouble coming up with a down payment. Renting to own is one way to become a homeowner -- but it has its pitfalls.

By Sarah Siddons & Chris Opfer

If you own a home or are interested in owning one in the future, take a look at our real estate pictures. See how the market works, what affects it and what it takes to become a homeowner or landlord.

Real estate agents tend to promote and encourage homes with southern exposure to the sun's rays. Why is this so important for a home?

Subprime mortgages allow people with a weak or limited credit history to purchase a house. Some people say that subprime lenders prey on minorities, while others claim that subprime lending is why the housing bubble has burst.

By Charles W. Bryant & Jane McGrath

Investing in income-generating real estate can be a great way to increase your net worth. But for many people, investing in real estate, particularly commercial real estate, is simply out of reach financially. Enter real estate investment trusts, or REITs

By Lee Ann Obringer

Homeowners insurance can help if your home suffers any sort of damage. Find out how homeowners insurance works and how to save money on premiums.

By Jacob Silverman

You know that you've stepped up and claimed your piece of the American dream when you finally get the keys to your first home. But how do you get there?

By Lee Ann Obringer & Dave Roos