Examining the Pros and Cons of Buying Versus Building a Home

Everybody loves getting brand-new things, especially if the new thing has been custom-made to fit your needs. However, whether it is a suit, a car, or a home, new things that are custom-made are more expensive and usually take longer to deliver. This is an important factor to consider when determining whether you should buy a house or have it custom-built.

A house is a major financial responsibility. Making the wrong decision could affect your budget and the level of happiness you have with your new home. The following are a few pros and cons of building a home versus purchasing one that's already built.

Is It Less Expensive to Build or Buy?

According to the National Association of…

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Why a Home Inspection Is Worth It

Purchasing a home is likely one of the biggest expenses you will ever have. Even if you are able to negotiate a great price for the home, it can be tempting to get around some costs that are considered optional. This includes the home inspection.

Depending on where you live, a home inspection will cost between $400 and $1,000. Saving a few hundred dollars upfront might seem like a good deal. However, down the road, it could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars.

You Want to Know What You Are Purchasing

You would not go to a fast-food restaurant and just take whatever food they give you. You want to know what you are paying for before you get it. The same principle applies to the most expensive…

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4 Red Flags Home Buyers Should Be Aware of

As of Dec. 2020, the median sales price of an American home is roughly $263,000. Although real estate pricing is highly influenced by geography, homes are expensive no matter where you live. During the home-buying process, it's normal to feel nervous. By keeping an eye peeled for these red flags, you'll have a much easier time avoiding problem homes.

1. Never Ignore Stubborn Doors

Homes usually have several interior doors. Traditionally outfitted on bedrooms, closets, and bathrooms, interior doors are primarily used for privacy or decor. Although you frequently use bathroom doors, you might overlook stubborn bedroom or closet doors. 

When touring homes, open and close every interior door at least…

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6 Tips to Stage Your Home for a Fast Sale

If you're going to put your house on the market, it's because you want it to sell quickly and are hoping to get your asking price for it. The way you stage your home will do a lot to improve your results. The following are some tips and tricks that can help you sell your home fast.

1. Improve Curb Appeal

This is advice you hear frequently. People will typically do a drive-by of your home before touring the inside. Based on what they see on the outside will determine if it's worth their time to look inside.

You can improve the curb appeal by power washing the walkways and siding. Make sure the house numbers are visible and easy to read. Plant attractive flowers, mow the lawn, and wash the windows. Stain…

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4 Tips for Selling Your Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Real estate activity plummeted after the COVID-19 pandemic first came around in March 2020. Although the market has since shown signs of recovery, many would-be homebuyers are taking precautions to guard their families against the coronavirus. Tasked with selling a home, taking precautions of your own can improve your chances of making a sale. These tips will improve your ability to move a home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Make Sanitation-Friendly Goodie Bags

Goodie bags aren't just for kids. Although sanitation products won't bring the same joy as candy, they will give them comfort. At minimum, include face masks and alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Consider adding other items such as…

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4 Ways to Sell Your House for the Most Money

Your home is the biggest source of wealth you likely have. It gives you the potential to reap major financial rewards. However, those rewards can only be yours if you know how to market and sell your home at the best possible price.

Selling a house for the most money is challenging. However, if you do your due diligence and learn from trained real estate agents, the process can become drastically easier. Here are a few things to think about if you want to sell your property at the highest possible price.

1. Know the Local Market

The housing market is in constant flux. This flux is seen on a national level, state level, and local level. It is unwise for you to think that market conditions will stay…

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How to Read a Property Purchase Agreement Like a Pro

Buying property can be a time consuming and stressful task. However, with the right knowledge of all the legal terms in purchase agreements, you can go through it in the blink of an eye. As a novice investor, you have to be aware of what is essential to look at in a property sale agreement. Ravi Goenka, an advocate at Goenka Law Associates, warns that the property purchase agreement is a contract that highlights a lot of crucial decisions you have to consider to close the deal, including timing, price, and conditions.

Parties Section

A purchase agreement has to identify the buyer and seller in writing. Information on the address, tax identification, and lot number of the home are also included…

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4 Signs That Now Is a Good Time to Sell

You will hear people say it is a buyer's market or a seller's market. However, things are usually not that cut and dry. It could be a seller's market on one side of the city and a buyer's market on the other side.

Market conditions vary by the type of home being sold. For example, a single-family home might be sought after by an investor who wants to use it as a rental property. In the same area, commercial real estate may be difficult to sell. The following are a few factors you can consider when determining if now is the right time to sell.

1. Look at the Inventory

When the market is balanced, which means a market that does not favor the buyer or the seller, there is typically six months of inventory…

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5 Questions to Ask the Seller When Buying a Property

Buying a piece of property is a big investment. If you have plans for it, you'll need to ask the seller some specific questions before proceeding with the transaction. The ability to make an informed decision will give you peace of mind and confidence in making the purchase of a property.

1. What Type of Zoning Does It Have?

When you're buying a single-family home, the zoning is clearly residential. However, if you're purchasing a property with no structures, you'll need to know if it's zoned for residential use, commercial use or a mix of these. The zoning will specify how you can use the property and what type of structure you can build on it.

2. Where Is the Property Line?

Before you…

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4 Things to Do Immediately After Buying a Property

As soon as you've signed your name on the paperwork to become the new owner of a property, your business isn't done. You'll still need to handle a lot of administrative tasks to protect yourself, your property and your rights as a property owner. Follow this list of four things to do immediately after acquiring a property.

1. Obtain Insurance

No matter what type of property you've just purchased, you need to insure it. Property owner's insurance provides you with liability coverage if someone gets hurt while on your property. If they were to file a lawsuit, and you didn't have insurance, they could come after your personal assets. Those assets include the property you just purchased. Homeowner's…

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