How much is reasonable (if anything) to pay to a lender for a mortgage application fee? [more inside]
posted by mockjovial on Oct 22, 2009 - 15 answers

What are the non-obvious drawbacks of buying a house near railroad tracks? [more inside]
posted by howrobotsaremade on Sep 7, 2009 - 45 answers

Use cash to start a business or for a down payment on a home. [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Sep 1, 2009 - 10 answers

Can I get the Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency if I am buying the house right now, and the current homeowner is replacing the furnace for me? [more inside]
posted by dpollitt on Sep 1, 2009 - 4 answers

First time homebuyer - "its customary to purchase the unused fuel from the seller" urf? [more inside]
posted by SirStan on Jun 22, 2009 - 39 answers

We picked out a house and our offer was accepted. Now what? [more inside]
posted by tryniti on Jun 12, 2009 - 11 answers

First-time home buyer seeks help making a good investment [more inside]
posted by mintchip on May 22, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm buying my first home and there are potential special assessments looming. Am I truly protecting myself from future repair and legal fee costs by setting up an escrow account? I'm buying my first condo and am clueless. Help me make this protection ironclad or tell me to run away! [more inside]
posted by joemax on Oct 31, 2008 - 8 answers

When buying a house is it better to have the seller pay the closing costs or to reduce the sale price of the home? [more inside]
posted by jclovebrew on Oct 1, 2008 - 9 answers

What is the single most valuable piece of advice you received when you were in the process of buying your first home? [more inside]
posted by hecho de la basura on Dec 12, 2007 - 67 answers

Young couple visited France last year for about two weeks with few plans other than a couple of booked hotel rooms and a TGV pass. They fell in love with the country and would love to move there about 5 years out... [more inside]
posted by finitejest on Aug 21, 2007 - 12 answers

We just bough our first home and need advice on ways to thank those that helped us get through the process smoothly. [more inside]
posted by birdlips on Apr 18, 2007 - 17 answers

I want to buy a house. I have 20 grand but bad credit and a long term boyfriend with no money and good credit. What is the best option? [more inside]
posted by brinkzilla on Apr 6, 2007 - 25 answers

How does one monitor the Housing Market of Southern California? [more inside]
posted by matthelm on Mar 26, 2007 - 5 answers

What questions do I ask when trying to get a mortgage? [more inside]
posted by echo0720 on Mar 14, 2007 - 10 answers

Help me budget for buying our first home. [more inside]
posted by chndrcks on Jan 12, 2007 - 17 answers

How do we figure out whether we're financially and emotionally ready to buy our first home? We have a really good handle on what we can afford, which neighborhoods we like best, what houses are going for. We've read "Home Buying for Dummies." We've saved up an OK chunk of cash. But my husband and I are both worried, and for different reasons. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Jan 7, 2007 - 32 answers

OK, we FINALLY got an offer on our house (after 4 months on the market) and we can't decide if we should accept. [more inside]
posted by SheIsMighty on Aug 27, 2006 - 22 answers

I need a walk through on how to buy property without a real estate agent. [more inside]
posted by forforf on Sep 12, 2005 - 10 answers

Experienced homeowners, help out a first-time buyer. What wisdom can you impart about the home buying process? What do you wish you had done differently when buying your first home?
posted by Otis on Jul 29, 2005 - 36 answers

How do I know if I am getting the best home loan available to me? [more inside]
posted by eggerspretty on Jun 29, 2005 - 9 answers

Buying a home without a realtor. My landlord wants to sell the place I am living in (he lives in the lower, me the upper) because he is using the money to buy a business. He wants to sell quickly as the business loan is contingent on his sale of the home. The only catch is that he wants to forgo using a realtor by using an attorney instead. Has anyone here ever bought a home this way? What are the advantages/disadvantages on my end? Any common mistakes to avoid?
posted by sharksandwich on May 5, 2004 - 16 answers