The temperatures are still creeping up the thermometer as the sun continues to shine bright in southern Florida! Therefore, summer festivals and special events continue throughout this month, August and September. Whether you’re looking for some fresh produce from a street market, some free live entertainment under the stars or some indoor educational fun, there is something for everyone in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas!

From now until Oct. 24, head to Aventura Mall in Miami every Saturday and Sunday for the annual Famer’s Market. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Spend time conversing with your neighbors, family or friends and leave with fresh flowers, vegetables, fruits and other assortments of baked goods and prepared foods! With long hours like these, there’s no excuse for you not to enjoy organic, fresh foods!

Skip the Monday blues by visiting Boteco Brazilian Bar in Miami every Monday night. This bar offers delicious Brazilian cuisine, and every Monday, they provide free samba lessons at 9 p.m.! Bring a partner or meet someone new at this weekly event that is sure to get you moving on the dance floor more on the weekends too!

At sundown on July 30, Aug. 27 and every last Friday of the month, head to the Museum of Contemporary Art campus in North Miami for Jazz at MoCA. Bring a blanket or a chair, sit or lie under the stars, pack a snack and enjoy the sounds of smooth jazz for free. Performances vary each date.

On Aug. 1 and Sept. 5, enjoy the Suntrust Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Riverwalk in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month, walk along the Riverwalk with others in the area as you gather for live outdoor concerts featuring local jazz artists on four different stages! Open space is provided for chairs, blankets and picnics. Pets are even invited as long as they are on leashes. Local merchants and area restaurants are open for business at this time!

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, you can enjoy delectable cuisine at a low cost! Miami Spice 2010 is a summer restaurant promotion that showcases Miami’s best cuisine. For a $22 lunch or a $35 dinner, you can visit Miami’s top restaurants and savor a three-course meal with signature dishes from world-renowned chefs. This is a great event for visiting guests or just for you on a Saturday night!

From Aug. 5 to Aug 7, visit Amaturo Theater for Disney High School Musical 2, presented by the Young Professionals from the Broward Center Summer Theater Camp! For only $10, you can support local young actors while also enjoying the continued story of Troy, Gabriella and the rest of the Wildcats as they fill their summer days after junior year. New songs and dances will remind you why you loved the first Disney High School Musical so much!

From Aug. 6 to Aug. 8, visit the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to see the touring Nickelodeon Presents STORYTIME LIVE! show. You can dance and sing along to four different characters and sets, including “Dora the Explorer,” “The Backyardigans,” “Wonder Pets” and Ni Hao, Kai-lan.” Tickets range from $10 to $36.

On Aug. 6 and Sept. 3, visit ArtsPark in Downtown Hollywood for Funtastic Fridays! The first Friday of each month, from 5 to 9 p.m., you can load up the family and enjoy performances and interaction with Mama Clown & Friends, an outdoor movie under the stars, a bounce house and face painters for the kids and more! This family-friendly event is the perfect way to spend a warm summer evening together.

On Aug. 7, head to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center for Progress in the Park! A parade begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by live music, games, food and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Have fun and prepare your kids for the coming school year with the free back-to-school supplies and the free immunization services available at this event.

Score tickets now to the International Ballet Festival of Miami, running from Aug. 27 to Sept. 12. Featuring world-renowned ballet companies represented by their greatest performers, this festival is considered the most successful ballet fest in the United States! Also included are workshops, a dance film series, art exhibitions and master classes. This year, ballet companies from Canada, Australia, Hungary, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the USA have confirmed!

Through Sept. 6, visit the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale for the special WaterWorks: Soak Up the Science exhibit! This fun, interactive exhibit explores where our water comes from, how much is locked up in oceans, glaciers and soil, how to conserve water and where to find fresh water, all while allowing you to pilot a submarine, create a rainbow, capture a snowflake and more!

On Sept. 19, visit Hollywood Beach for the 17th Annual Hollywood Beach Latin Festival! This fest includes live entertainment from Tony Swing y su Orquesta, Fulanito, DJ Luandy and more Latino favorites, while also providing live performances by Latino actors, recycling activities for children, an array of Latin food favorites, Latin arts and crafts, kid activities and more! This fest runs all day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you enjoyed the new Alice in Wonderland movie, head to the Ansin Family Art Gallery at the Miramar Cultural Center in the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale. Through Oct. 17, you can view “Down the Rabbit Hole: Salvador Dali’s Alice in Wonderland Suite.” This masterpiece was created in 1969 and portrays a mad tea party from Lewis Carroll’s classic during the surrealist movement. Plenty of other traveling exhibits are displayed at the museum for a limited time, making it the ideal spot to stop on a rainy day!

Save money this summer by visiting two of your favorite Fort Lauderdale attractions for the price of one! This coupon from Sunny.org is good through Sept. 30 and allows you to visit Mai-Kai Restaurant & Polynesian Revue, the Museum of Art, South Florida Ballet Theater, Best Boat Line, a moonlight cruise with Discovery Cruise Line or Riverfront Cruises, diving or snorkeling at Pompano Dive Center or Pro Dive International, fishing, golf, tennis, Billie Swamp Safari, kayaking, Flamingo Gardens and so much more!

For a concert in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, check out this diverse list:

• Aerosmith on Aug. 9 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise
• Kathy Griffin on Aug. 11 at Hard Rock Live in Fort Lauderdale
• Justin Bieber on Aug. 5 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise
• Rihanna and Ke$ha on July 31 at American Airlines Arena in Miami
• American Idols Live on Aug. 3 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise
• Goo Goo Dolls on Aug. 14 at Bayfront Park Amphitheater
• Hippiefest on Aug. 29 at Broward Center Au-Rene Theater
• Shakira on Sept. 25 at BankAtlantic and Sept. 27 at American Airlines Arena

Sports fans! Head to Sun Life Stadium to watch a Florida Marlins game live before the season concludes! Upcoming home games are Aug. 3 through Aug. 8, Aug. 20 through Aug. 22, and Aug. 30 through Sept. 5. If you’re done with summer baseball and ready for the fall football season to start, score a preseason ticket to see how the Miami Dolphins are looking! Home games are Aug. 14 against Tampa Bay and Aug. 27 against Atlanta.

There are so many great reasons to buy your own home. Are you ready? Wondering how to get the best deal and how to make the most informed decision? Maybe it’s time to consider Buy Owner!

As the nation’s leading for-sale-by-owner marketing company, Buy Owner provides the strength of an established advertising company and the resource of thousands of for-sale properties nationwide. Buy Owner sellers are great to work with, as they’re looking to cut commissions/costs just as much as you are, in order for everyone to get the best deal.

Ready to get started?

Here’s how to buy a home with Buy Owner:

1. Go to BuyOwner.com and search!
2. Narrow down your criteria and choose which homes you’re most interested in.
3. Contact the Buy Owner sellers of those homes, and ask questions you may have.
4. Schedule private showings of the homes.
5. Make an offer on the home you want.
6. Negotiate.
7. BUY! And in the process… Save money. Enjoy being in control of your purchase. Reap the rewards for years to come.

Of course the prospect of buying a home, whether it’s your first one or not, can be daunting. But with Buy Owner, you have the comfort of knowing you’re dealing with motivated sellers and saving commission costs! That’s why using Buy Owner to buy your home makes so much sense.

What are you waiting for? Get started today!

Go to BuyOwner.com.

Just because July 4th weekend came and went does not mean summer is coming to a close! In the Tampa area, summer continues to sizzle long after the fireworks displays. Numerous festivals, concerts and baseball games await you for the duration of July and August, so grab those planners and begin marking these events into your weekend plans!

Every Wednesday night form 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., gather up your female friends and head to Ladies Night at Mugs ‘n Jugs Restaurant and Bar in Clearwater! During this time, as a female, you can enjoy free drinks! This includes draft beers, well drinks and wine. Men can also score $.99 domestic drafts. It’s a great way to break up the week while meeting others in the area for an affordable price!

Each week, Tuesday through Saturday at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., you can purchase tickets for La Nouba at the Tampa Bay Theater. La Nouba is a theatrical performance put on by Cirque du Soleil, and it features two sets of characters from two separate worlds. The show jumps between the worlds, portraying the similarities and differences between the two peoples with acting, dancing, juggling and performing acrobatics, tightrope, trapeze, music and more! Tickets for adults range from $52 to $99.

Every Saturday through September, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., enjoy summer hours at the year-round Ybor City Saturday Market at Centennial Park in Tampa! Gather up loads of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, gourmet foods and sauces, freshly baked breads, fresh eggs, herbs and plants, and even pet treats because pets are welcome! An assortment of crafters is also present and displaying photography, woodworking, jewelry, candles, bath and body products and more!

July 14 marks the date for the long-awaited, annual R,R,R & R Fest at Florida State Fairgrounds, a favorite among Tampa locals! The 2010 Reggae, Rims, Rap & Ribs Fest celebrates the Jamaican Rastafarian with food and music from around the world. Other attractions include live reggae performances, a freestyle rap contest, a rims and low-rider car show, beer tasting, a special guest celebrity appearance and more!

On July 31 and Aug. 1, enjoy Nickelodeon presents STORYTIME Live!, a touring act featuring four musical shows, which include “Dora the Explorer,” “The Backyardigans” “Ni Hao, Kai-lan” and “Wonder Pets.” Located in Carol Morsani Hall at Straz Center, tickets start at $15.25. This is a great way for your kids to enjoy the last weeks of their summers!

On Aug. 5 and Sept. 2, the first Thursdays of the month, head to the newly designed Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Rock the Park, Tampa’s free concert event right on the waterfront! Located on the plaza at the new Tampa Museum of Art, each concert will feature two to three performing acts, with the musical genres ranging from acoustic and rock bands to reggae, country and R&B.

Consider Aug. 6 the day to celebrate and show off the most special member of your family, your dog! Dog Fest, located Downtown Lakeland, festivities begin at 7 p.m. Dogs and other types of pets will all participate in a parade, there will be a pet/owner look-a-like contest, your dogs can enjoy doggie treats while you enjoy foods of your own and more! If you don’t have a pet, come admire and cheer on the pets in the parade while enjoying food and beverages!

On Aug. 7 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., head to WaZoo, which U.S. Today deemed one of the “10 Great Beer Festivals in the Country.” Located at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, this event is complete with beers from around the world, food samplings from local restaurants, a wine garden and live music. If you purchase a “Beastly Beverage Club” ticket, you get access to an air-conditioned room during the event. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door.

On Aug. 28 and 29, head to Minnreg Center in Largo for the 10th annual I Like It Hot! Festival & BBQ. The fest serves up an array of hot and spicy foods and sauces to sample and purchase, plus a variety of hot pepper plants for you to purchase for your own hot cooking at home! Pepper eating contests and hot sauce and salsa contests are of course included.

On Sept. 6, beginning at 9 a.m., close out the summer right at the 54th Annual Pioneer Days Parade and Festival at Dearborn Street in Olde Englewood Village. Vendors open at 9 a.m. to serve you up chilled beverages and breakfast/lunch cuisine before the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. This year’s parade theme is “We’re Going Green,” and all of the parade floats can enter a contest for the best themed float!

If summer concerts are your favorite activity, you’re in luck! Tampa and St. Petersburg have an extensive lineup for July and August!

• Vans Warped Tour on July 23 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg
• Dave Matthews Band on July 28 at 1-800-ASK-GARY (Ford) Amphitheatre in Tampa
• Rihanna with Ke$ha on July 30 at 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa
• American Idols Live! Tour 2010 on August 4 at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa
• Aerosmith on August 7 at 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa
• Lilith Fair 2010 featuring Kelly Clarkson and Sarah McLachlan on August 11 at 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa
• Train on August 14 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
• H2O World Tour featuring Brad Paisley with Darius Rocker on August 13 at 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa
• Jack Johnson on August 25 at 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa
• Creed on Sept. 1 at 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa

Plan to enjoy a Tampa Bay Rays home game at Tropicana Field in Tampa before the summer season ends! Dates to remember are July 27 and 28 against the Detroit Tigers, July 30 and 31 against the New York Yankees, Aug. 2 and 3 against the Minnesota Twins, Aug. 13 and 14 against the Baltimore Orioles, Aug. 16 and 17 against the Texas Rangers and Aug. 30 and 31 against the Toronto Blue Jays!

When some people hear Florida, they immediately think Disney World, Universal Studios, Animal Kingdom, etc. However, locals in the Orlando and Jacksonville areas can enjoy an abundance of festivals and concerts geared toward those living in the areas. Whether you’re new to Orlando or Jacksonville, or you’re just looking for some new means of entertainment, this list of summer events is for you.

From July 19 to July 24, lug your fishing equipment to Sisters Creek Park for the annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament! The first two days provide strictly tournament competition. If you’d like to enter the competition, register now before it fills up! After that, people of all ages can enjoy a junior tournament, food, live entertainment, exhibitors, boat shows and unique merchandise for sale. As the five-day festival concludes on the 24th, enjoy a fireworks display over the water.

Everyday through July 31st, head to the Epcot Center for the annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series! If you haven’t seen some of your favorite bands live, this is your chance to experience and acknowledge their musical talents through numerous cover bands! Each day, pay tribute to a different renowned band, such as U2, the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, the Eagles, Chicago and many more! Shows run at 5:45 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. daily.

Aug. 8 is your last chance to dig your toes into the sand while listening to a variety of jazz tunes for free! The Summer Jazz Concert Series, located at the Sea Walk Pavilion on Jacksonville Beach, runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Regional and national performers for that night include Jacksonville Mass Choir & Trio, Matt Marshak and headliner R & R, starring Rick Braun and Richard Elliot. Bathing suits and picnic baskets are welcome!

Visit Orlando’s Wet ‘n Wild water park for mid-summer specials you won’t find anywhere else! Spend a day splashing down the 76-foot-high Bomb Bay, the 250-foot free falling Der Stuka and many more! Now, when you purchase a ticket into the park, you receive a free ticket to return anytime this summer! Also, don’t let a day of work stop you from enjoying the warm evenings. Admission is half price after 5 p.m.!

From Aug. 12 through Aug. 15, visit the Orange County Convention Center for the Star Wars Celebration V, a Star Wars party produced by fans for fans! Show up dressed in costume and enjoy meeting cast and crew members from the Star Wars movies, including George Lucas, Peter Mayhew, Carrie Fisher, Kale Lloyd and many more! Also included in the event is live entertainment, artwork, memorabilia and collectibles, and above all, mingling with fans just like you!

Enjoy a night inside, soaking in musical and acting performances that you won’t forget. Upcoming events include Justin Bieber on Aug. 4, Nickelodeon presents Storytime Live! on Aug. 4 and 5, Jack Johnson on Aug. 24 and more. Find more information on location and ticket purchasing here.

Summertime is when Chicagoans can finally escape the walls of their homes, old or new, and enjoy time in between skyscrapers, on beaches, at festivals and under the sunshine! Every neighborhood in Chicago hosts a multitude of outdoor festivals, not to mention all the events going on in the suburbs of Chicago. This list is a tiny portion of some of the most renowned festivals happenings this time of year. Head outside and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts!

From July 9 to July 11, head to 4626 N. Knox Ave. in North Park for the 25th Irish American Heritage Festival! People of all cultures flock to this event to enjoy Irish and American musical entertainment, Irish dancing performances and a plethora of food and drink options. What makes this fest stand out from others? It includes a mashed potato eating contest, a matchmaker, a singing contest and more! Everyone gets involved.

Every Tuesday night, from July 14 to Aug. 25, head to Grant Park for some free weeknight entertainment! The annual Chicago Outdoor Film Festival features a new movie each week, which begins at sundown. Guests are encouraged to pack picnics and enjoy the cultural enlightening event with family and friends. Pets, grills and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Past features that have been aired include The Odd Couple, The Blues Brothers, Grease and many more. Check the website for this year’s lineup!

On July 17, head to First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park for Lilith Fair, an empowering concert full of inspiring female performers! The lineup for Chicago includes Kelly Clarkson, Sarah McLachlan, Kate Nash, Mary J. Blige and so many more. Enjoy an affordable day out with lawn seats, or spend a little more for an up and close experience. Food and beverage venue options are abundant.

From Aug. 6 to Aug. 8, visit Chicago’s most renowned summer concert, Lollapalooza. Located in Grant Park, 500 S. Columbus Drive, you can purchase a one-day ticket or a three-day ticket to see every band! This year’s headliners include Lady Gaga and Green Day, along with Phoenix, Soundgarden, The Strokes, Switchfoot, AFI and almost 100 more! Food, drink and merch vendors are abundantly available.

On Aug. 14 and 15, reserve a spot on the beach, a rooftop, a park or any outdoor venue in the city! Pack a picnic, rub on some sunscreen and enjoy the oldest and largest free show of its kind, the 52nd annual Chicago Air & Water Show! From afar, you can enjoy the sights and booming sounds of military jets and aircrafts of all kind. Closer to the water, you can also enjoy watching sail boats, motor boats, jet skis and more, racing and performing acts of all kinds. It’s a show you’ll remember, and it’s totally free.

From Sept. 2 to Sept. 5, celebrate the end of a memorable summer at the Chicago Jazz Festival in Grant Park. Referred to as the city’s longest-running music fest, the impressive lineup includes local, national and international jazz performers! Several stages allow you to roam and enjoy a variety of musical options, while leisurely soaking up the last of summer’s rays, sipping a beverage and savoring festival cuisine.

You never know how our Chicago baseball teams will perform. That’s why we’re called diehard fans! We love the teams anyway. Cheer on the Chicago Cubs on the Northside at home games between July 15 and July 25, from Aug. 2 to Aug. 8 or from Aug. 16 to Aug. 22. Cheer on the Chicago White Sox on the Southside from now through July 11, July 26 through Aug. 1 or Aug. 10 through Aug. 15. Not a fan of baseball? Cheer on the Chicago Fire soccer team!

As part of a special feature at the Buy Owner Blog, we’ll be highlighting cities throughout the nation, profiling their attractions and conveniences, as well as pointing out some currently for-sale homes in the area!

Today’s City: Boca Raton, FL

There is something for everyone in prestigious Boca Raton! With easy access to major roads like I-95 and the Florida Turnpike, you can get to beaches and surrounding cities like West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in no time. This area offers excellent shopping, dining and top A-rated schools. Take your pick of shopping destinations from Town Center at Boca Raton, and Royal Palm Place to The Reserve Shopping Center and The Shops at Boca Center. Enjoy some outdoor recreation at one of the many local parks and golf courses. Other highlights of this thriving area include the state-of-the-art West Boca Medical Center, the Maui Spa and Wellness Center, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton Museum of Art and Mizner Park and Amphitheater for upscale shopping, dining, concerts and events.

Take a look at these Buy Owner properties currently for sale in Boca Raton!
• $2.25 million: 5 BDRM, 5 BATH gorgeous custom home
• $749,900: 4 BDRM, 4 BATH home in affordable gated community
• $648,126: 3 BDRM, 3.5 BATH new construction
• $379,900: 4 BDRM, 2 BATH renovated custom home
• $219,900: 3 BDRM, 2 BATH remodeled ranch

Image credit: JulianColton2

As part of a special feature at the Buy Owner Blog, we’ll be highlighting cities throughout the nation, profiling their attractions and conveniences, as well as pointing out some currently for-sale homes in the area!

Today’s City: Deltona, FL

Thinking of buying a home in Deltona? Located in the heart of southwestern Volusia County, Deltona is a principle city in Florida’s Fun Coast. Diverse in its cultural makeup, this dynamic community has about 90,000 residents according to the city’s official website.

Not only does Deltona offer a city website but also a 24-hour government-access T.V. channel (DTV) through Channel 199 on BrightHouse Networks and an Emergency Radio Station at 1610 AM. The WebPage, DTV channel and radio station offer a multitude of opportunities to stay informed about activities and issues throughout Deltona!

Take a look at these Buy Owner properties currently for sale in Deltona!
• $350K: 4 BDRMS, 3 BATH Cul-De-Sac Ranch on 1.5 Acres
• $264,900: 4 BDRMS, 2 BATH Waterfront Cul-De-Sac Home in Master-Planned Community
• $180K: 2 BDRM, 2 BATH Updated Ranch on Spacious Corner Lot
• $124,900: 3 BDRM, 2 BATH Well-Maintained Home with Fenced Yard

Image credit: RealEstate.AOL.com

Today’s featured city: Bradenton, FL!

Located along U.S. 41 between Tampa and Sarasota, Bradenton is a beautiful Florida community loaded with waterways, bordered on the north by the Manatee River and separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal. Enjoy beaches, water sports, boating and more! Plus, this area also features several golf courses.

Cultural attractions in Bradenton include Riverfront Theatre, the South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium, Parker Manatee Aquarium, ArtCenter Manatee and Village of the Arts, a neighborhood that’s specifically designated for residents to live and work in their homes. The Myakka River State Park is just seven miles east of Sarasota and

Take a look at these Buy Owner properties currently for sale in Bradenton!

• $479K: 3-bedroom, 2-bath pool home in country club community
• $395K: 3-bedroom, 2-bath lakefront home with pool/lanai
• $239K: 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo in pristine community
• $65,500: 2-bedroom, 2-bath fully furnished & remodeled condo

Image Credit: Byron Packwood

Do you ever visit an online search engine and immediately become flustered by all the homes for sale? It can be overwhelming, especially now, with so many homes available and few sales. In order to help your search become calmer and organized, you need a search engine that is easy to browse and quick to give you what you want.

That is what BuyOwner.com strives to provide you with. By clicking “Homes For Sale” from the tabs across the top of the homepage, you can search for specifics that will eliminate any type of house that doesn’t interest you. Your price range is obviously key, so you must type in the minimum and maximum amount you’re willing to pay. If you’re looking for a single-family home or an apartment, you can choose exactly that type of house. If you want a garage or a swimming pool, check the box next to that feature. If you just want a broad search of homes within a 30-mile radius of a certain town, you can do that too!

Once you finish marking your criteria and you click “Submit Search Criteria” at the bottom of the page, you can then sort the results by price, placement, list date and number of bedrooms. If you’re looking for a budget buy, one tip that others might not consider is to search the oldest listing dates first. By doing so, you can view the houses that have been advertised with Buy Owner the longest. These home sellers are most likely exhausted of the home-selling business, and you might be able to score a stellar price from a homeowner eager to sell. On the other hand, if you search the newest listings, you might find sellers who just found out they need to move as soon as possible and are eager as ever to sell. Play around with the listing dates and see what you can find.

You can always go back and alter your search criteria until you find exactly what you’re looking for. If you have any questions, leave us a comment, and we’ll help you out! With the multitude of houses for sale right now, there’s nothing more pleasing than a search engine that provides you with the exact search tools you need.

or, before you buy a house: beware!

Buying your first home is an exciting time. You’ve saved money, you’ve decided where you want to live and you’re ready to take the plunge into a big commitment that will give you rewards for years to come!

But buying your first home is also a scary time, filled with new experiences and unknowns. To help take some of the guess work out of the equation, welcome to a post filled with information new home owners wish they’d known!

If you’re planning to buy a home in the near future, here’s what you want to know!

1. Go into it with good finances. If you do the hard work of improving your credit score, reducing/eliminating debt and preparing for a home purchase beforehand, you set yourself up to reap the benefits.

2. Think long-term. Buying a property really is a commitment. If you’re not ready to stay put in the area for five years or more, you’re not ready to buy. Why? When you add up all the extra costs of ownership and don’t have the long amount of time to gain value, you may actually lose money by buying instead of renting. So if you’re going to buy, buy to stay. At least for a little while.

3. Think realistically. It’s not as easy to get a mortgage these days as it was at the height of the real estate boom, but that doesn’t mean you should always jump at a mortgage you’re approved for. Look at your income, cost of living, long-term plans, debts, etc. Assess whether or not you can afford to buy.

4. Think about selling points. Sure, it sounds strange to think about resale value when you’re just about to purchase a home, but that’s exactly what savvy buyers do.

The most important thing to remember when you’re buying a home is to be informed! That way, you can buy your first place and enjoy it, without worrying about what you wish you’d known.