What can you — as a buyer or seller — do to prevent a low appraisal or, in the event of a low appraisal despite doing everything right, still have the sale go through? Read the strategies and insights below and prepare for one of the most important, yet overlooked, part of a home sale—the appraisal.

No matter how much you may love everything about your new home, if you are frustrated with your neighborhood or it doesn’t fit with who you are or who you want to be, then you aren’t going to be satisfied … ever.

If you’re a buyer on a tight budget, your family may be able or willing to help you with your downpayment. If that’s the case, lucky you! 

You’ve probably seen listings stating a home is being sold “as is.” Does that mean it’s a dump and not worth seeing?

It can be hard to tell since there can be vast differences in the conditions of “as is” homes.

These homes can sometimes be a good deal budget-wise, especially if it gets you into a neighborhood you’ve been eyeing. However, some “as is” homes come with more troublesome issues that could cost you more in the long run.

One piece of criteria you must think long and hard about is whether “good schools” should be part of your criteria for a home. For some first-time buyers it is, for others, it’s the first piece of criteria that should be thrown out.

In this 8-part series, How to Find the Perfect Home for You and Your Budget, you’ll learn how to find a home that is the right fit for your lifestyle, needs and, most importantly, your budget. It takes you through every single step and shows you how to avoid buyer’s remorse.  Your first home is most likely the stepping stone for your next home so you want to do it right and set yourself up financially to move up to your next home.

When it comes to getting a mortgage to buy your first home, many buyers decide on the price point of the house they want to buy before talking to a lender. 

There’s a very specific formula and step-by-step approach that buyers – like you — should take to make sure they end up with the home that best fits their needs and budget. 

When you’re thinking about buying a home, what pops up in your mind? Are you most excited about living near your favorite coffee shop, certain restaurants or a convenient bike trail? Or are you filled with the anticipation of having a home with awesome features, like a chef’s kitchen, deluxe master suite, or a large yard with a patio?

n my 8-part series, How to Find the Perfect Home for You and Your Budget, you’ll learn how to find a home that is the right fit for your lifestyle, needs and, most importantly, your budget. I take you through every single step and show you how to avoid buyer’s remorse.  Your first home is most likely the stepping stone for your next home so you want to do it right and set yourself up financially to move up to your next home.