2013 Spring Home Buying and Selling Guide
The busy spring home buying season is upon us. Real estate experts said 2012 was the best year for housing in a long time. The incredible conditions—historically low mortgage rates, cheap real estate prices, low inventory, to name a few—that spurred the 2012 market have picked up steam in 2013. Furthermore, for the first time since the recession, sellers’ markets have begun to emerge nationwide. Whether you’re buying or selling this spring or in the near future, HSH.com's 2013 Spring Home Buying and Selling Guide can help you every step of the way.
Section 1: Home buying basics
Buying a home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make in your lifetime. Here are some basic tips to get you started as you plan for your purchase.
Section 2: Buying a home in today’s market
The real estate market shifts and changes every few years. Given all the changes the U.S. real estate market has undergone since the Great Recession, buying today is very different than it was just a few years ago.
Section 3: Shopping for a mortgage
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer , moving up or downsizing, qualifying for a mortgage is the first step of the process. From shopping around for the best mortgage rates to picking the best closing date, this section has you covered.
- 6 ways to get the best mortgage rates
- Calculator: Calculate your monthly mortgage payment
- 6 ways to shop for the best mortgage rates
- 11 reasons to get a mortgage now
- What’s the value in paying points?
- Slideshow: Do you earn enough to buy a home in your city?
- 5 ways to save on closing costs
- 3 ways to pick the best closing date
Section 4: Common stumbling blocks
Today’s mortgage market is full of obstacles to overcome. Here are a few ways to get out from under a financial situation that might be keeping you from a home loan.
Section 5: Preparing your home for sale
The decision to sell your home isn’t one that’s made overnight. Likewise, preparing your home for sale isn’t something that can be done in one day. Below are several different ways you can improve your home to make it ready for potential buyers.
Section 6: Tips to help sell your home
Just because you bought a home (who knows how many years ago) doesn’t mean you know how to sell one. Sure, homeowners aren’t new to the real estate game, but the dynamics of the market change every few years. Here are some tips to get your home sold fast.
Section 7: Sellers: Avoid these mistakes
A lot can go wrong during the course of selling your home. Is your home turning away potential buyers? Are you sending your Realtor the wrong message? Avoid these mistakes if you’re serious about selling your home.
Section 8: Info for both buyers and sellers
Here’s some information that will help both buyers and sellers as they transition to their new homes.
Current mortgage rates: May 16, 2013
| Loan | This Week | Last Week | |
| 30-year Fixed * | 3.79 | 3.73 | |
| 15-year Fixed * | 2.99 | 2.96 | |
| 1-year ARM | 2.77 | 2.91 |
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