Running an “in search of” ad would be one way of searching for a good buyer’s agent. But the better way is to find one the same way you find the best doctors, dry cleaners and hair stylists - word of mouth. The best referrals come from people who have actually used that agent’s services...Read More

Let’s just say that if the fun hasn’t begun already, it will start now. For the next thirty to sixty days, or whatever time frame you put between contract signing and closing, the gears will be in motion, getting everything ready for the big day when you take possession of your new home. There will...Read More

It is a great way to get to know your dwelling in an up-close-and-personal manner, that is onsite with the home inspector when he scours your new home. If you are there while the inspection is going on then the professional home inspector can explain in person and answer any questions you may have instead...Read More

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that has been found in homes nationwide. Produced by natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, radon moves up through the ground and into the air that we breathe. It also gets into homes through cracks and other holes in the foundation, or through well...Read More

House Paints: houses built before 1939 had lead-based paint applied to the interior or exterior surfaces, and some home paints produced up to 1977 contained small amounts of lead. Some of these paints still remain inside older homes and may particularly hazardous if in poor condition (chipped or peeling) or if disturbed by sanding or...Read More

If the home you’re buying was built before 1978, you have certain rights concerning lead-based paint and lead poisoning hazards. For starters, the home seller, or her real estate agent must provide you with the EPA pamphlet entitled “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home,” or other EPA-approved hazard information.Read More

Don’t let yourself be terribly impressed or comforted by the fact that a seller is offering a fully paid warranty on the home and its appliances. Certainly, having the warranty beats not having it, but don’t let a $400 warranty sway your decision. A seller-paid warranty promises repair or replacement of covered systems during your...Read More

For a lender to loan money on a property, that property must be appraised at a value that falls between a certain percentage of the sales price. The reasoning is fairly simple: a bank won’t lend $150,000 on a home that’s only worth $120,000 because the odds that will recoup its total investment should you...Read More

Not all those million agents are serious pros. It’s relatively easy to get into the real estate business but it is tough to make a good living there. Some people just dabble in real estate and some inexperienced agents get precious little handholding from their brokers.Read More

This catch-all describes the homes you will find on many builders’ lots today. Even if the exterior looks like a colonial, craftsman or Tudor-style home or a Mediterranean villa, inside you are very likely to find a medley of greatest hits. Among the highlights.Read More