Barbara Ballinger
Barbara's Articles
Property Surveys
Know the boundary lines of your new property. You've found the perfect property and you're really excited, but it lacks a fenced-in yard for your dog. Ok, you reason, you'll get bids to put up the fence. But wait! Can you even erect the fence, and what are the legal boundary lines of your new.....
Title Insurance
Why you need it before you close You may have secured a mortgage for your new home at a good rate, had an inspector give it a clean bill of health, and gotten over any buyer's remorse about taking on your new big investment. Time for a sigh of relief? Not yet. The last thing.....
Home Loan Choices
Old rules are outdated . . . consider new options. For decades, conventional wisdom dictated that home buyers make a down payment of at least 20 percent. Without those funds, buyers weren’t considered financially sound enough to invest in a home. The traditional rationalization was that a good-sized down payment led to a lower interest rate, was.....
Hire a Real Estate Attorney
Why hire an attorney and pay legal fees when buying your dream home? What’s the point, you think, when you can do the due diligence yourself and save money. After all, the Internet offers free legal advice regarding steps to buy and sell a home, right? You simply cull generic recommendations in cyberspace, do the.....
Getting Down to Zero
How to achieve a very green home Going green and doing your part in saving the planet is a great goal, but it can prove confusing. Why? Unfortunately, there's no single definition of whether a home is green enough. Do all paints and adhesives need to be a low- or no volatile organic compound (VOC).....
Pick a Real Estate Pro to Guide You
Finding a house you love and can afford requires hard work. If you’re buying your first house, the process may seem daunting. It’s most likely also the biggest investment you’ll make. To start off on the right foot, do your homework, find a professional to guide you, and take time to factor in all your.....