Posts tagged buying a new home

Should You Buy a Second Home?

Jun20
2008 1 Comment Written by Shanna

We Have a Vacation Home!

Imagine. Summer vacations and weekend getaways to your home away from home, where you can come and go as you like, with anyone you’d like, whenever you’d like. Picture yourself escaping from it all to the peace and privacy of your second home, where you don’t deal with crowds or annoyances or no vacancies.

These are the dreams of [second] home ownership.

In today’s society, owning a second property, whether for investment or vacation purposes (or both) is growing more and more popular. There are a lot of benefits, from convenience and comfort to financial equity and savvy savings.

How can you know if you should take the plunge? And what issues are worth investigating before you dive into a new mortgage?

Step One: Be informed about the market.

Learn everything you can about the location of your potential purchase. Is it a tourist area? What are home sales like? Does the area tend to appreciate much? A good buyer is an informed buyer, so do your homework.

Also, if you’re looking to purchase mainly for the investment opportunity (aka, resale value), you’ll want to buy in a hot area, where there is strong demand. Be on the lookout in communities near popular attractions or with great vacation weather.

Step Two: Know what you can afford.

The same rules that apply to buying your first home come into play here. Talk with qualified mortgage professionals at Buy Owner’s authorized mortgage company, Guaranteed Rate. Then, armed with the knowledge of what you can spend, you’ll be able to decide what you want to spend.

Step Three: Evaluate your needs.

How often do you vacation, and what’s your typical vacation budget like for a given year? Will buying a second home prevent you from alternative trips, and is that OK? What do you want from this purchase–a weekend getaway, a summer cabin or a rental property? Crunching some numbers and working through different scenarios can make all the difference in how confident you feel about going forward.

After you’ve researched and evaluated the market and your needs, if you’re ready to buy, what should you do?

Head over to Buyowner.com to search through the best of the for-sale-by-owner listings available! Whether you want an oceanfront condo or a rural country estate, Buy Owner has it all!

Go browse advertisements now!

Posted in Buying Tips, General Information, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , , , ,

What’s Hot in Your Area: Summer Dallas

Jun04
2008 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

Summer Dallas

Shopping & Dining

Looking for a little retail therapy? Stop on by Highland Park Village, which is not only a national landmark, but America’s oldest shopping center, as well! Upscale shops create a chic atmosphere for the fashion conscious. Something to keep in mind as you shop ‘til you drop – the building itself sparked a pivotal point in the evolution of the shopping mall, giving 20th century American shopping centers a distinct architectural design.

If you have been searching for a Dallas dining landmark, your search is over! The Old Warsaw provides you with the most delectable French Continental cuisine in the city. The restaurant boasts five private dining rooms and also provides complimentary transportation to those staying in the area. Your guests are sure to be impressed by this feature! One of the specialties of the restaurant is the four-course meal, which can be purchases for a set price, and comes with more food than you can imagine! At affordable prices, this chic bistro is sure to satisfy your stomach without emptying your wallet.

The Arts

  • Museum Exhibitions

Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park

- Experience the living history of the mid-19th to early 20th centuries.
- Through Saturday, June 14, 1893 Chicago World’s Fair

Dallas Museum of Art

- Thursdays in June, Jazz Under the Stars concerts, 8 p.m.
- Friday through Sunday, June 13 – 15, City Arts Festival 2008

  • Music & Theatre

Music Hall at Fair Park

- Tuesday – Sunday, June 3 – 15, The Drowsy Chaperone, Varying times
- Tuesday – Sunday, June 17 – 22, Stomp, Varying times
- Tuesday – Sunday June 24 – 29, Hairspray, Varying times

Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie

- Friday, June 13, Bill O’Reilly, 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 17, Death Cab for Cutie, 8 p.m.
- Thursday, June 19, Katt Williams, 8 p.m.
- Friday, June 20, Artie Lange, 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 24, Boston & Styx, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, June 29, Stone Temple Pilots, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sporting Events

Rangers MLB Baseball

Wednesday, June 4, against the Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, June 5, against the Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.
Friday, June 6, against the Tamp Bay Rays, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, June 7, against the Tampa Bay Rays, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 8, against the Tampa Bay Rays, 4:05 p.m.

——– ROAD TRIP——–

Tuesday, Jun 17, against the Atlanta Braves, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, June 18, against the Atlanta Braves, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, June 19, against the Atlanta Braves, 1:05 p.m.

——– ROAD TRIP——–

Friday, June 27 against the Philadelphia Phillies, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, June 28 against the Philadelphia Phillies, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 29 against the Philadelphia Phillies, 5:05 p.m.

Desperados AFL Football

Saturday, June 7, against the Philadelphia Soul, 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, against the New York Dragons, 7 p.m.

FC Dallas MLS Soccer

Sunday, June 15, against the Chicago Fire, 3 p.m.

Interested in buying or selling property in the Dallas area? Head over to Buyowner.com today to see hot for-sale-by-owner homes!

Posted in Regional Info - Tagged , , , ,

What’s Hot in Your Area: Summer Houston

Jun03
2008 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

Houston

Shopping & Dining

You will find luxury purchases and must-need items all inside The Galleria Mall! Nestled in one of the largest business districts in the country, this shopping center has everything you could need or want! It also happens to be the largest mall in the entire state, and it is sometimes referred to as the Houston Galleria to distinguish it from other destinations that boast a similar name. However, this mall is anything but ordinary! It is also the seventh largest mall in the country! All the shops and restaurants are in a completely enclosed building that is always expanding. New stores pop up, brand-new dining areas open and customers are always satisfied with their shopping and dining experiences at The Galleria.

One of the premier restaurants in Houston, Vargos combines the senses! Your mouth will water for the delectable meals, your eyes will gaze at beautiful gardens and your nose will take in the aromas of the flourishing flowers and the fabulous foods. Enjoy casual dining or host your next big event at this luxurious dining facility. Vargos can accommodate both an extravagant and an intimate affair. Its legendary storybook setting is pleasing to the eye, and its exquisite menu will leave you wanting more.

The Arts

  • Museum Exhibitions

Museum of Texas History: The Heritage Society @ Sam Houston Park

- June 10 – July 27, The Road to the Promised Land: Martin Luther King Jr. & the Civil Rights Movement
- June 10 – September 28, Interwoven Traditions: The Spiritual Journey from African to African American
- August 5 – September 28, Snapshots of Houston History from the Bob Bailey Studios Collection

Museum of Printing History

- Friday, June 20, Comic Books: A Visual History, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Through July 19, Houston Architectural Trilogy: Photography of Valentin Gertsman

  • Music & Theatre

Woodlands Pavilion

- Friday, June 13, Houston Symphony, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, June 14, Chicago & Doobie Brothers, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 28, Stone Temple Pilots, 8 p.m.
- Friday, July 25, Foreigner & Bryan Adams, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, August 2, John Mayer, 7 p.m.
- Friday, August 15, Dave Matthews Band, 7 p.m.

Hobby Center

- Tuesday – Saturday, June 3 – 14, Sweeney Todd, varying times

Verizon Wireless Theatre

- Tuesday, June 10, Lifehouse, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 28, Bob Saget, 8 p.m.
- Thursday, June 17, Cinderella, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, June 29, Stone Temple Pilots, 7 p.m.

  • Sporting Events

Astros MLB Baseball

Tuesday, June 10, against the Milwaukee Brewers, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, June 11, against the Milwaukee Brewers, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, June 12, against the Milwaukee Brewers, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, June 13, against the New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, against the New York Yankees, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 15, against the New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

——– ROAD TRIP——–

Tuesday, June 24, against the Texas Rangers, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, June 25, against the Texas Rangers, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, June 26, against the Texas Rangers, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, June 27, against the Boston Red Sox, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, against the Boston Red Sox, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 29, against the Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Monday, June 30, against Los Angeles Dodgers,

Comets WNBA Basketball

Saturday, June 14, against the Seattle Storm, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 16, against the Atlanta Dream, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 18, against the Washington Mystics, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 26 against the San Antonio Silver Stars, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, against the Indiana Fever, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 5, against the Sacramento Monarchs, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 17 against the Minnesota Lynx, 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 19, against the Los Angeles Sparks, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 22, against the Phoenix Mercury, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 24, against the Detroit Shock, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, Chicago Sky, 7:30 p.m.

Dynamo MLS Soccer

Sunday, June 8, against the Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 12, against the New England Revolution, 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 26, against the FC Dallas, 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 2, against the Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 16, against the Real Salt Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 20, against Chivas USA., 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 31, against the Chicago Fire, 6 p.m.

Posted in Regional Info - Tagged , , , , ,

What’s Hot in Your Area: New Orleans

Jun02
2008 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

NOLA1

Shopping & Dining

The most lively and most talked about area in all of New Orleans is the French Quarter, where you will find the famous Bourbon Street! This exciting road runs the lengths of the French Quarter and always boasts excitement year-round. “Upper Bourbon Street” consists of eight blocks filled with tourist attractions. It is home to many bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. But perhaps the most anticipated festival that happens to be situated on this street is, you guessed it, Mardi Gras. Every year, tourists from all over the country flock to Bourbon Street for this colorful celebration. One of the most sought-after restaurants on the street is Galatoire’s, which was opened over 100 years ago! The finest French cuisine awaits you inside this exceptional dining facility, which happens to be run by fourth-generation French descendants. What are you waiting for? It’s Mardi Gras all year long on Bourbon Street!

The Arts

  • Museum Exhibitions

Mardi Gras World

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World is a colossal carnival inviting you to get a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of this annual celebration in the Big Easy. Stroll through a simulation of the city’s most significant celebration and stare in awe at bits of actual Mardi Gras floats and movie-set pieces! If you visit the museum during the right time of the year, you may even catch local artists in the act as they finish up floats for the parade. So even if you never make it to the real Mardi Gras celebration, there’s always time to go to the museum that is completely dedicated to the fabulous festival!

  • Music & Theatre

New Orleans Arena

- Wednesday – Sunday, June 25 – 29, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, varying times.
- Monday, July 7, WWE Raw Live, 7 p.m.
- Thursday, August 14, Kenny Chesney & LeAnn Rimes, 7:30 p.m.

Louisiana Superdome

- Friday – Sunday, July 4 – 6, Essence Music Festival, 7:30 p.m.

Harrah’s Casino

- Friday, August 1, The S.e.l.l.o.u.t. Comedy Tour, 8 p.m.

Paragon Casino Resort

- Friday, June 13, Three Dog Night, 9 p.m.
- Saturday, July 5, Grand Funk Railroad, 9 p.m.
- Friday, July 11, Zydeco Fest, 8 p.m.

Sporting Events

VooDoo AFL Football

- Sunday, June 21, against the Grand Rapids Rampage, 6 p.m.

Posted in Regional Info - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

New Series: What’s Hot in Your Area?

May28
2008 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

Have you recently purchased a home from Buy Owner or have you been looking to acquire a property from the nation’s leading FSBO company?

If you are moving to a new city, or even a new state, and you are not sure what do for fun, then let the Buy Owner Blog be your guide! Helping you kick off the summer, the Buy Owner Blog will feature tons of info on the major Buy Owner cities near you!

Whether you want to catch a Bulls game in the Windy City or find ongoing Mardi Gras celebrations in the Big Easy, the Buy Owner Blog will be your shopping, dining and entertainment headquarters!

Not sure where to find a Buy Ownerproperty? Head to Buyowner.com and search for whatever location you’d like!

Stuff to Do

Posted in Regional Info - Tagged , , ,

Renting to Own

Mar04
2008 1 Comment Written by Becky

Rent to own. Lease to own. Lease purchase. Lease option. The concept goes by many names, but the basic idea remains the same.

What is a Rent-to-Own Home?

Renting to own is perfect for anyone who is looking to purchase a home right now but needs time to build up their credit or save for a down payment. When you purchase a rent-to-own property, a portion of your monthly rent is going toward the down payment for the home, working as a kind of built-in savings plan. You agree on a lease term and a purchase price with the seller when you sign the lease. At the end of the term, you have the option of purchasing the home. So the price of the home is fixed, and the seller cannot sell the property to anyone else before the term is completed.

What Are the Advantages of Renting to Own?

For the seller, making your home available as a rent-to-own will:

  • Increase demand and interest
  • Most likely get you your full asking price
  • Bring in a higher-than-average monthly rent
  • Attract tenants who would have a vested interest in the home
  • Allow you to maintain the tax benefits of owning the property

For the buyer, purchasing a rent-to-own home will allow you to:

  • Build up your credit rating
  • Save for a down payment
  • Use your rent money to work toward the purchase of the home
  • Assess the property over an extended period of time
  • Be in control of the home without actually owning it
  • Profit from any increase in the home’s value

It is important to understand all the details involved. With a lease option, the buyer is not required to purchase the property. However, with a lease purchase, the buyer is committed to buying the property after a certain date that has been agreed upon with the seller. You should certainly weigh your options before you decide which route to take, but especially in today’s market, renting to own can be a very enticing option for both buyers and sellers.

Posted in Buying Tips, General Information, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , ,

What Movers Won’t Move

Dec16
2007 Leave a Comment Written by Kim

movingMoving into your new home? Planning to use movers? Before you grab those boxes and tape, there are a few things you should know about what movers won’t transport.

1. PETS

If you have any pets, you need to make arrangements for their move since movers will not transport them. A federal regulation prohibits moving companies from transferring any animals in moving vans, so plan on taking your pets with you. If you will be traveling for several hours, make sure you don’t pack items your pet will need for the trip like kitty litter, dishes, and, of course, food. Although your animal may not like traveling in a cage, some dogs, cats, and other assorted pets do well in a car, especially if you are scheduling frequent stops. With a pet in a cage there is no chance of the pet escaping at a rest area during a bathroom break.

2. LIVE PLANTS

Federal regulations also restrict professional movers when transporting live plants. If the destination is within 150 miles or can be reached in less than 24 hours’ driving time, the plants can be transported by the moving company. However, you might want to double-check with your movers before planning on them taking your live plants.

3. PERISHABLE FOOD

Once you have a designated moving date, make a concerted effort to use the opened and perishable food items you have in the freezer, the refrigerator, or the pantry. These items cannot be transported by the movers, so you would be responsible for moving them. Rather than worrying about dragging them along in a box or a cooler, it is best to try to use the items. Alternatively, consider giving them to a neighbor or a family member, or you may want to just throw them away prior to moving day.

4. VALUABLES

Other items we suggest you personally transport are jewelry, your laptop, and all cell phones. It also is suggested that family photographs and heirlooms, things that are precious to your family and cannot easily be replaced, should be hand-carried by you to your new home to ensure their safe arrival.

5. FLAMMABLE ITEMS

There are a number of items the moving companies are forbidden to transport, including anything flammable and combustible. That means it is up to you to make sure that the gasoline and/or oil from your lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other power equipment items are drained, and the fluids properly disposed of, prior to the move. Other items that are considered too dangerous to move are propane tanks for gas grills, gas cans, fuel for tiki torches, and any other fuels. 

Varnish, turpentine, and household paints also are forbidden, as are some cleaning fluids, bleaches, and aerosol cans. Also arrange to transport your firearms and ammunition, as well as extra batteries, especially car batteries, which are considered corrosive.

6. YOUR ESSENTIALS

Remember to pack enough clothes, including undergarments, medications, and toiletries, for every member in the family to last from the date the truck is loaded to a day after the planned delivery date. 

So keep this list handy once you start packing.  As soon as you have chosen a professional mover, it is best to inquire if there are any additional items they will not transport for you.

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , ,

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