Choosing a House

More Legal Topics

Related Ads

Need Professional Help? Talk to a Lawyer
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area

Whether it's checking out neighborhoods, deciding on favorite home styles, evaluating neighborhood association restrictions, or walking through a house and getting a feel for it, homebuyers have a lot of research to be done and choices to be made before making a final selection.

Location, Location, Location

Researching the Best Places to Live
Websites and tips for figuring out where you want to buy your home.
Check Out Zoning Rules Before You Buy a House
Know in advance whether your plans for the house will be allowed, whether you hope to remodel or run a home business.
Home Businesses and Zoning
If you're hoping to buy a home where you can also run a business, look into city and county zoning rules.

Let the Home Search Begin

Beginning Your Home Search
How to survey the housing market, locate promising homes for sale, and decide what you really want.
Best Home Buying and Selling Research Websites
Get information on the real estate market, home listings, mortgage rates, and more.
Online Fun for Home Buyers
Fun real estate websites for when you're ready to take a break from serious home searching.

Buying Distressed Properties

Homebuyer’s Guide to Buying a Short Sale
Buying a house for less than the seller owes on it is a risky but moneysaving proposition.
Buying Foreclosed Properties
Articles on the risks, benefits, and necessary steps to buying a property in foreclosure.

Buying New Homes or Homes in Developments

Newly Built Houses: Pros and Cons of Buying
Buying a new home isn't for everyone -- learn about their pluses and minuses here.
Homeowners' Associations (HOAs) and CC&Rs
Before you buy a house in a development, understand what sort of restrictions you may have to live with.
Should I avoid buying a house with high HOA fees?
How HOA fees should factor into your buying decision, and what additional information to look for.
Living Under a Homeowners' Association
Want a preview of what's ahead? Learn about the common questions and areas of dispute for homeowners governed by an HOA.

Special Considerations for Some Buyers

Single-Woman Homebuyers: What to Consider
Women buying solo may want to add particular items to their home wish list.

Checking Out the Physical Condition of a Home

Home Disclosures, Inspections, and Appraisals
Articles on getting the house checked out for defects and other indicators of value.