Do's and Don'ts when Purchasing New Construction Homes
The vision of a new home with the ability to upgrade finishes, alter floor plans and be the first to occupy a property lures buyers into builders and developers model homes every day. According to industry sources over 70% of home buyers want a new home. These new construction focused buyers might see a picket fence, but they should be prepared to ask the right questions and see red flags before signing on the line. Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home shares his advice for figuring out who's who and what's what when buying new construction....read more

2006 Home Sellers Energy Inefficiencies Can Sour Buyers
Forget the real estate bubble, energy prices are a primary concern for homebuyers. Stung by rising mortgage rates and higher commuting costs from recent increases at the pump, homebuyers in the last three months have paid extra attention to energy costs during their home search. From my experience and hearing client reports as they look for seasonal homes in southern climates, natural gas, heating oil and electricity costs have moved dramatically up the list as potential deal-killers. Sellers should be prepared for buyer inquiries about energy consumption and efficiency improvements. Energy questions apply to condominiums and single-family homes....read more