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As a consumer, information is everything. It is imperative that you are properly educated prior to entering into any contract.

When you are purchasing a new home, it is important to understand the tax ramifications associated with it. Be sure to contact me if you have additional questions and please make full use of the real estate tax resources below.

Click here to receive free information about buying a home on Chicago's north coast, as well as neighboring communities in Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood and the greater Chicagoland area,

Now both first time homebuyers and move-up buyers are eligible for a tax credit. And President Obama just extended the deadline through 2010. Click to learn more!

When is the best time to buy a house? With many markets reporting an abundance of homes for sale, and interest rates remaining at near historic lows, now might be one of the best times in recent memory.

When beginning the process of finding a new home, it is often difficult to know where to begin. Before researching the market or analyzing housing options, homebuyers may want to start by prioritizing their family's needs, determining what are "must-haves" versus what are "nice-to-haves."

Condo purchases have been on the rise over the past two decades, offering an appealing alternative to traditional home ownership for many types of people. Though condos have conventionally been the choice of singles, retirees and couples without children, today there are a growing number of families in the mix – making this an important category of properties in many real estate markets across the U.S.

Many people don't think about short-term maintenance costs when buying a home, but they should. Whether buying an older home or a newly constructed home, major home systems like furnaces or hot water heaters can break down in the months following a home’s purchase.

The process leading up to making an offer on a home can be a daunting. After you've found the right home, you will still need to assess various factors that can impact both the details of your offer and the seller's willingness to work with you.

The purchase of a home is one of the biggest investments people will make in their lifetimes. But it is also among the greatest sources of anxiety. A home inspection helps ensure homebuyers of the quality of their investment by making them aware of its condition and alerting them to any concerns.

After making the decision to buy a home, many buyers are surprised by the amount of work that is required for a successful closing. To ensure that you are ready, you may want to develop a checklist of necessary steps.