Home

Good-faith deposit may seal real estate deal

By Robert Bruss, Monday, March 1, 2004.

DEAR BOB: Thanks for your great advice about six months ago regarding the good-faith deposit amount a home buyer should include with his/her purchase offer. You said a big deposit check often makes up for a low purchase offer. Last month we offered to buy a house that had been listed for sale since November. Based on our experience inspecting other nearby homes for sale and having our bid on another house rejected by its seller, we knew the house we wanted to buy was priced far above market value.  more...

How do I decide between adjustable or fixed loan?

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, March 1, 2004.

"I am trying to choose between a 3/1 adjustable-rate mortgage at 4.625 percent and a fixed-rate mortgage at 5.875 percent, both 30 years. I don't expect to be out of my house within three years. What is the best way to make this decision?"

Whether the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) turns out better depends on what happens to interest rates in the future, which no one knows. Shoppers faced with this decision should ask themselves, "Is this a risk worth taking," and "can I afford to take it?"  more...

How much should I spend getting my home ready to sell?

By Dian Hymer, Monday, March 1, 2004.

It's no mystery that listings that are in great shape usually sell for more than those that are in sub-prime condition. But, is it really necessary to fix up your home for sale? Won't the buyers want to fix up the house the way they want it?

Sellers are often resistant to the notion of investing time and effort in a property that will soon no longer be theirs. Yet, time and again, sellers who properly prepare their homes for sale reap the benefits in terms of a faster sale and a higher sale price.  more...