Home Buying

While it’s a cliche that communication is key among successful couples, it couldn’t be any truer and more crucial if you’re planning to buy a house together. Not only are you going to make one of the most fulfilling purchases of your life—but you’re also going to experience the joy and hardships of homeownership with the person you love.

If you’re starting this year house-hunting for your ideal property, you might have heard about the “location, location, location” mantra

Even though winter is typically a slow time for real estate, it doesn’t mean it isn’t a good time to purchase a home. Buying a home during this traditional “off” season could work for you depending on the real estate market where you want to move and your personal circumstances.

If you’re feeling stuck not knowing what else to know about the property, we’ve pulled together a list of some things that may not be so obvious to ask but can get you closer to finding a home that’s a good match for your lifestyle and budget.

It’s best to hire a trusted and knowledgeable real estate agent to help you in your house-hunting journey. Expect them to be your go-to person for almost all the advice you’ll need regarding the complicated, and often stressful, homebuying process. And yet, if you ask them certain questions, you might be puzzled to find them feeling tongue-tied. Be aware that there are some queries that your realtor couldn’t answer legally. This is because some things are off-limits under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), a federal law enacted in 1968 that prohibits discrimination in the purchase, sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race, religion, sex, skin, color, nationality, or family/economic status.

If you haven’t had dealings with an HOA before, we’ll walk you through exactly what it means, what it does, and what are the most crucial things you need to know before living in a community that has one.