10/04/03 - Home Buyer Downpayment Gift Assistance Programs
Downpayment gift assistance programs help home buyers close on a home by providing funds for downpayment and closing costs. Find out how they work and how you can take advantage of a gift assistance program.

10/3/03 - e-mail Course - Shape-Up Your Credit

10/03/03 - Profiles, Downpayment Gift Assistance Organizations
Basic profiles of several organizations that offer downpayment gift services to home buyers.

09/30/03 - Get Up Close and Personal With Your Credit Report
It's a good idea to get familiar with your credit report and credit score before you even think of shopping for a new home. Here's a series of articles that will lead you through the process of checking and improving your credit.

Your Credit Report, What's On It and How Does It Get There

How To Check Your Credit Report

Correcting Errors and Removing Negatives From Your Credit Report

Understanding Your Credit Score

Improving Your Credit Score

09/19/03 - Residential Real Estate Appraisal Methods
Final approval of your home loan will very likely hinge on a satisfactory appraisal of the property you are buying. Get the facts about residential real estate appraisals.

08/20/03 - Working With a For Sale By Owner Seller
Deposit money and property disclosures are two important issues you should consider when working with a for sale by owner seller. Use these tips to help protect your interests.

08/14/03 - Making An Offer: Determining Value
Even seasoned home buyers can feel a bit queasy when it's time to make a formal offer on a home. You'll be more confident if you know the home's market value before you start negotiating the price--so dig in, start crunching the numbers, and add a little gut instinct to come up with a successful bid.

08/04/03 - America's Best Places to Live
There's no "best" place to live--we all have different criteria for making that choice. Maybe your best place is a large city with plenty of nightlife, or small-town America where everyone in town knows each other--or something in-between.

07/29/03 - Another Side of Bob Hope
The world never has to forget Bob Hope. We're so lucky that we have decades-long archives of his radio, movies, television, and other performances. He was a true entertainer, and if interviews with friends are accurate, an extremely nice man. But did you know that he was one of the most successful real estate investors in California?

07/28/03 - Using Online Mortgage Calculators
There are an endless number of mortgage calculators online to help you with a home sale or purchase. Take a little time to explore them.

7/13/03 - Home Buying & Selling, From A to Z
Home buying and home selling topics arranged alphabetically to help you quickly find what you're looking for. Articles and links about every aspect of buying a home or selling a home.

07/05/03 - Mortgage vs. Deed of Trust
We often call our home loan a mortgage, but a mortgage is not something that the lender gives you–it is something you give to the lender. A deed of trust is used for the same purpose, but with a few important differences. Which do you have, and how does it affect your home ownership?

06/28/03 - How To Avoid Foreclosure
Even though your situation may seem hopeless, there are things you can do to avoid foreclosure and save your home. Don't put it off; learn what steps you must take to stop foreclosure.

06/19/03 - Manufactured Homes - FAQ
What is a manufactured home? Where can you find information about your manufactured home's origins? Find the answers to those questions and read other facts about manufactured housing.

06/18/03 - How HUD Monitors Manufactured Housing
The Federal government has a consumer protection program that regulates the construction of manufactured homes. Learn how the Federal Manufactured Housing Program helps consumers.

06/04/03 - Buyer Possession Before Closing
During the home selling process sellers are sometimes asked to agree to grant the buyers possession of the home before closing. Learn the pros and cons of a buyer possession agreement.

06/03/03 - Top 4 Mistakes When Working With Agents
You'll have a better home buying experience if you learn the ins-and-outs of working with real estate agents before you make your first phone call to an agency. Get started by avoiding these four common misconceptions.

05/09/03 - Understanding Mortgage Terms
Do you know the differences between the terms pre-qualified, pre-approved and loan commitment? Find out how they affect your offer to purchase and your home contract.

04/29/03 - Real Estate Agency Disclosure Laws
Most states in the US require real estate agents to disclose who they work for, buyer or sellers or both. Find out what type of disclosure the real estate agents in your state should make.

04/27/03 - Lead-Based Paint Facts and Disclosures
Because lead paint is a potential health risk, Federal regulations require that home sellers provide lead-based paint disclosures to home buyers who offer to purchase a home built before 1978.

04/27/03 - How To Work With Real Estate Agents
It's important to understand agent loyalties before you reveal personal information to a real estate agent. Here's a collection of articles and FAQ to help home buyers understand their rights and work effectively with real estate agents.

04/06/03 - Identifying Home Heating Systems
Use this information to help you identify some of the traditional home heating systems you may encounter during your search for a new home.

03/21/03 - Radon In Your Home
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that can seep into your home. Home buyers and sellers should understand how radon tests are performed and how radon levels are reduced.

03/9/03 - Searching for Homes on About Home Buying & Selling
There are many ways to search for real estate listings and real estate agents on Home Buying and Selling. Here's a collection of links that will take you straight to the area you're most interested in.

02/18/03 - Selling Your Home
The home selling process differs from state to state, and even when laws are similar the procedures and local customs sometimes are not. But there's some advice that will help you sell your home, no matter where you live.

02/11/03 - Assembling a Home Disaster Kit
The increased threat of terrorism has prompted government agencies to offer suggestions for disaster preparedness. Much of this common sense advice includes things we should all consider doing even when terrorism isn't an issue.

01/23/03 - HUD Announces Higher FHA Loan Limits
Effective January 1, 2003, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is increasing its mortgage limit for single-family homes.

01/16/03 - The Final Walk-Through
It's important for home buyers to do a formal walk-through prior to closing on a home. Find out when you should do the walk-through, and what you should look for.

Home Buying & Selling Archives

Features - 2002

Features - 2001

Features - 2000