Home Buying & Rentals

If a house has a "for sale by owner" sign, it could mean a bargain. Most likely, real estate agents are not yet involved, which means both parties can save on commission costs which can normally add up to 5-6% to the cost. Check newspapers and online to find homes for sale by … [Read more...] about Buy direct to save $$, but with risks

Traditional wisdom held that a fixer-upper (i.e., a house that needs obvious remodeling work to fix issues) could be a great bargain for someone who knows a thing or two about managing a construction project. In fact, with lots of investors buying up properties, and both buyers … [Read more...] about Find bargains in awkward layouts, not fixer-uppers

First, the sticker price of a small home will generally be much lower than a larger home. Second, smaller homes are cheaper to maintain in terms of electricity costs, property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Third, with less area to clean, you'll spend less on cleaning supplies. … [Read more...] about Find bigger savings when buying a smaller home

Not too concerned about where to live? Try a ski resort town in the summer, or a beach resort town in the winter. These towns thrive on holiday business, which dries up in the off-season. A property owner might be thrilled to have renters in the off-season and willing to offer … [Read more...] about Grab a bargain on a rental property in the off-season

Plumbing and electrical systems can be costly to fix. Take your time going through the house before the final purchase, with the help of a licensed home inspector who will find things you might not have even known how to look for. Make sure there are no leaky faucets, running … [Read more...] about Do a thorough walk-through before buying