When it comes to making major life decisions, especially those when one could make an argument for or against the decision with plenty of evidence, sometimes making a good, old-fashioned pros and cons list can bring some clarity to the decision. In an unprecedented housing market over the past 12-18 months, prospective homeowners and renters
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Rural Housing Programs Defined According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development’s purpose is to provide, “Well built, affordable housing [that] is essential to the vitality of communities in rural America. Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, or repair affordable homes located in
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For many military families with children, one of the greatest decision points when buying a home at a new duty assignment comes down to the quality and reputation of schools. However, when you are a newcomer, it may be difficult to get a pulse on what a particular school is like. Before you do any
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There are a variety of considerations when purchasing a home and one that is becoming increasingly important is the commute time and distance to and from work. Whether you are taking your personal vehicle, riding public transit, or carpooling with neighbors, a commute can have a significant impact on your quality of life. The past
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According to PropertyShark, over the past 100 years, homes in the United States are now 74% larger and personal living space went up 211%. On average, today, the typical U.S. home boasts around 2,430 square feet as opposed to that of our grandparents’ generation at around 957 square feet. Whether your current home falls above
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1. Expect an adjustment to the costs of home ownership. For many first-time homeowners, the adjustment to the costs of owning a home can feel unexpected and expensive. Going from renting where most maintenance and upkeep costs are covered by a landlord to footing the bill yourself can come as a surprise. In addition to
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Earnest Money Defined If the word “earnest” is defined as showing sincere and intense conviction, then “earnest money” can be considered the good faith deposit in a real estate transaction that shows a buyer’s sincere and intense conviction (interest) to purchase the home upon agreement of a signed contract. Essentially, earnest money is a deposit
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Just hearing the name, Homeowners Association (HOA) may conjure images of grown adults huddled together in folding chairs in the pool house, arguments ensuing, and that one neighbor on the board who has let a little too much power go to his head, rapping the wooden gavel trying to maintain order in the ranks over
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The housing market has gone through many changes as a result of the pandemic and its economic consequences. Seemingly gone are the days when home prices were reasonable and buyers had the luxury of taking their time to really weigh the pros and cons of a property and linger with their offer-making efforts. These days
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Whether you are planning an upcoming wedding or have recently tied the knot, these are exciting times all around. Everything feels new from name changes and establishing new rhythms as a married couple, to learning the art of compromise and teamwork in most decision making. One such area that will require the ultimate exhibition of
Newlyweds: A Checklist for Buying Your First Home Read More »