Buying a Home - The Howell Group

August 17, 2012

5 Home Buying Mistakes After Contract

Ahhh, pressing pen to paper (or clicking on a digital signature line)…you’ve just purchased a new home. Now that your offer is a contract and you’re on your way to buying a home, there will...

July 31, 2012

Option Period In Real Estate Contracts

The option period has been moved out of Paragraph 22 and is now part of Paragraph 5. of the contract. We will cover it in a new post soon. In the meantime, the main points...

July 25, 2012

Home Inspection: Do I Need One?

The simple answer? Yes. A home inspection is an important step in the home buying process, but one that many homeowners (and sellers) wish they could skip because of the cost – an average home inspection...

July 22, 2012

Appraisals: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

Now that we’ve covered the basics of appraisals, it’s time to talk about some of the positive and negative aspects of appraisals. Appraisals, without a doubt, are a good idea. Without them, the potential for mortgage...

July 20, 2012

Appraisals: What Are They And Why Do I Need One?

If you’re buying a home, you’re going to hear about appraisals more than a few times. Knowing what they are and why you need them is important, as is knowing some of the pros and...

June 8, 2012

Empty Nest? Consider Downsizing

My husband and I recently reached a huge milestone in our life together. Our youngest child graduated from high school, so soon we’ll have an empty nest. Once he goes off to college, it’ll be...

May 14, 2012

Is Now A Great Time To Buy Real Estate?

You’ve seen the ads before or heard the news: “Now is a great time to buy!” You’ve probably heard it more over the last few years than ever before, even a few weeks after the...

April 20, 2012

Cost Versus Market Price In Home Sales

The French Enlightenment writer, Voltaire, said, “Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in...

March 19, 2012

Why Work With A Licensed Real Estate Agent?

Lewis Carroll famously said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there!” This is especially true for home buying. Personal due diligence in preparing an organized plan with a real...

March 6, 2012

What Happens If The Buyer Loses Their Job?

Let’s play another fun game of Worst Case Scenario Survival: Real Estate Edition. You’ve found it – the home of your dreams. It’s the perfect size for your family, in a great location, and the seller...

October 20, 2011

How To Be A Good Home Buyer Or Seller

Buying or selling real estate can be a complex process, and even the best deals can have their moments of frustration for all parties. The entire process itself is stressful, and that can often bring...

May 30, 0213

Should I Work With A Realtor When Building A New Home?

Building From The Ground Up I’m often asked (or see questions) about whether one should work with a Realtor when buying and building a new home. When you visit a new home community and sit...