Home Buying Guide
Finding It
It’s not easy finding the right home with so many factors in your decision, including how much you can afford, what your priorities are, and where you’ll be in 5 to 7 years. In this section, you’ll find articles to help you evaluate homes and neighborhoods, hire the right agent, and develop the vision you need to make the best decision.
Buying It
Now that you’ve chosen the right home, how do you make it yours? With the right information on negotiating the deal, closing it and financing it you can be sure to have the winning offer.
Making It Right
Just because a home is right for you doesn’t make it perfect. There are time-tested ways to build in value while creating the home of your dreams. In this section you’ll find information to help you figure out what kinds of renovation projects you should tackle, how much they should cost, and how to choose the contractors who can get the job done right.
Take It And Run
These days, it’s not enough to jump into the deep end and hope to learn about the process of home buying as you go along. We’ve put together tools, resources, summaries and checklists that will help smooth out the bumps in your home buying, financing and renovation experience.
Ilyce's Corner
Like a knowledgeable, experienced friend who has your best interests at heart, Ilyce will share insightful suggestions and practical tips for finding or making a home that's right for you. Ilyce Glink is a syndicated columnist and radio talk-show host, as well as the best-selling author of 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask, 10 Steps to Home Ownership: A Workbook for First-Time Buyers and 100 Questions You Should Ask About Your Personal Finances.
Deciding What You Want
- Identifying Priorities For The House Hunt
- How Much Can You Afford?
- Figuring Out Where You'll Be in Five to Seven Years
House-Hunting
- Choosing the right Neighborhood
- How to Prepare for the House-Hunt
- Working With A Buyer's Agent
- Should You Do It Yourself or Find An Agent?
- Finding The Right Agent or Broker
The Perfect Home
Making the Deal
- What to Expect After Pitching an Offer
- Negotiating Strategies in a Buyer's and Seller's Market
- How Do you Create a Good First Offer?
- Figuring Out How Much The Property Is Worth
Closing the Deal
- The Difference Between a Co-op and Condo
- From Offer to Closing: the Closing Timeline
- Process and Paperwork
Borrowing Money
- Tax Implication of Mortgage, Property Tax and Insurance Payments
- Finding the Right Lender
- How Much Can You/Should You Borrow?
Contractors
- Your Rights as a Contractee
- Writing and Negotiating the Contractor's Contract
- Finding a Competent Contractor, Architect and Designer
- The Truth About Estimates
- Getting Your Warranties
Planning and Budgeting
- Pre-Renovation: Design Plans, Blueprints, and Estimates
- How Much Can You Afford to Spend?
- Building Your Renovation Team
Home Improvement Basics
- Hardscape and Landscape: Good for Your Home
- Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?
- Should You Renovate or Tear Down and Start From Scratch?
- Assessing Your Needs vs. Your Wants
Legal
- Seller Disclosure Report
- Home Inspection: 18 Red Flags To Look For
- Contract Tip Sheet
- HUD-1 Form Tip Sheet
- Understanding the Home Inspection Report
Financial
- Spring Maintenance Chores (MAR/APR/MAY)
- Summer Maintenance Chores (JUN/JUL/AUG)
- Fall Maintenance List (SEP/OCT/NOV)
- Winter Maintenance Chores (DEC/JAN/FEB)
- House-Hunting Journal
- All Stressed out? Moving into the right home
- A Home to Call, Without Regret
- Inspect Your Home's Exterior
- How to Get a Fair Deal
- Long Lived Living Rooms
- What's the Budget
- Refinancing Tips
- Ready to Bid
- The Upkeep of Home
- Looking Beyond the House During the House-Hunt
- Selecting the Right Agent
- Expect the Unexpected During Construction
- How to Negotiate as a Buyer or a Seller
- Remember to Protect Your Home From the Environment
- Inspect Your Home Before You Buy
- How To Avoid Problems With A Contractor
- There Will Always Be Another House
- Look Into Your Future Before You Buy in the Present
- Color Is Back -- Use It Sparingly
- An Agent May Not Always Be the Right Agent - For You
- Buyer's Remorse
- Making an Offer The Seller Can't Refuse
- Some Things Are More Important Than Money
- Hiring The Right Home-Buying Team
- Location, Location, Location
- Is Now A Good Time To Buy?
- Living Through Your Construction Job
- Playing the Negotiating Game
From House to Home Tips Archive (latest version)
![]() |
Visit our forum to have all your home repair questions answered. |