Expect the Unexpected During Construction

When they finally decided to build a new home, Linda and Jimmy hired the best-known (and most expensive) builder in their area. They paid the premium for his services, because they assumed there would be few, if any, real problems with the construction.

Wrong. When it comes to building or doing a major renovation on your home, there are always going to be problems, no matter how much you pay your contractor.

There's no substitute to showing up at the construction site every day of the job. Whether you're spending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, make it a point to visit the job site at least once a day.

With luck, you'll catch small problems before they grow into something that's expensive and time-consuming to correct.

Ilyce Glink is the bestselling author of 100 Questions Every First Time Home Buyer Should Ask, and is the Managing Editor of Right at Home Daily.

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Finding The Right Lender

You've found the house you want and, fortunately, you can afford it. Now it's time to shop for a loan. How do you find the right lender? Margaret Crane has some suggestions.


Unless you've recently won the lottery, it's likely you'll be getting a loan to pay for your new home. Here's everything you need to know to get your application approved. From Margaret Crane, contributor to Newsweek, The New York Times and Money magazine and author of Successful Homebuilding and Remodeling: Real-Life Advice on Getting the House You Want without the Roof (or Sky) Falling In.

Finding The Right Lender
Tax Implications of Mortgage, Property Tax, and Insurance Payments
How Much Can You/Should You Borrow?
Knowing When It's Time to Refinance Your Home
Will Buying a Home Bankrupt Me?
Your Credit: Determining and Improving It


There's little chance you'll have a successful closing unless all of the details are in place. Here's some information to help you get from offer to closing without missing a beat. From Barbara Buchholz, former editor of House & Garden Guides Magazine and co-author of Porch Style and the New Homeowner's Handbook.

The Closing Timeline
The Differences Between A Co-op and Condo
Doing Your Final Walk-Through
Buyer's Guide to Contracts and Forms
What to Expect on Closing Day
Process and Paperwork


For most, making an offer for a home is the most stressful part of the process. The information you'll find here will help you figure out everything from how much a piece of real estate is worth to how to win a bidding war. From Margaret Crane, contributor to Newsweek, The New York Times and Money magazine and author of Successful Homebuilding and Remodeling: Real-Life Advice on Getting the House You Want without the Roof (or Sky) Falling In.

Negotiating Strategies In A Buyer's and Seller's Market
What To Expect After Pitching An Offer
How to Win the Bidding War
How Do You Create A Good First Offer?
Figuring Out How Much The Property Is Worth


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