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Welcome to our Website
Our Non-Profit Association was formed 23 years ago, at the dawn of the Internet era, to educate and inform our members about issues that are important to homeowners. We created this Internet website for our members to use as a comprehensive Knowledge
Center for finding answers to questions about buying, selling, and living in their homes.
Buying a home. When you decide to buy a home, you set in motion a large assortment of questions about the purchase. For instance, you may ask questions such as these:- What are the responsibilities of the real
estate broker?
- How will you be able to distinguish
between a broker who is representing your interests and a broker
who is simply attempting to earn a commission?
- Should you seek an independent appraisal
of the property before you make an offer to buy it?
- Should you engage an engineering consultant to evaluate the condition of the home?
Selling your home. If you decide to sell your home, another large assortment of questions will be set in motion. For instance, you may ask questions such as these:- Is the commission rate that real estate
brokers charge always fixed, or can it be negotiated?
- Should you attempt to sell your house by
yourself?
- What price can you seek for your house
and, just as important, what price can you expect a buyer to pay?
- Should you seek an independent appraisal
to help you set a sales price?
- Should you incur the expense of putting a
fresh coat of paint on your house before you list it for sale?
- Should you agree to accept a personal promissory note for all or a portion of the sales price from a prospective buyer?
Living in your home. Pride of ownership is the reason that many people buy a home. There are, however, many other good reasons to own a home. For instance, you may buy a home for the following reasons:- Home ownership is a very important
investment for your retirement.
- If you own a home, you can take advantage of sizable income tax deductions that are not available to renters.
Mortgages. Most people don’t pay the full purchase price of their homes by drawing on their own cash resources. Their cash resources are limited. As a consequence, they make a partial payment (a "down payment") and they pay the balance of the price with money that they borrow from a mortgage lender. As a consequence, it is critically important that homebuyers have access to information about the types of mortgages? For example:- Should you choose a mortgage that has a
fixed rate of interest, or one that has a variable rate of
interest?
- What is the maximum monthly mortgage
payment that you can afford to pay?
- Should you double-up your monthly
payments to achieve an early pay off of your mortgage?
- When should you refinance your mortgage?
- What are the advantages of a home equity loan?
Overlooked Expenses. When first-time homeowners calculate the amount that they can afford to pay for a home, they often focus all of their attention on the monthly mortgage payments, the property taxes and the homeowner’s insurance premiums that are required by the mortgage lenders. They should also learn about the other costs of owning a home. These expenses can add-up to a surprising amount. For instance:- The tools, equipment and supplies that
you’ll need to maintain your home are often quite expensive!
- How much can you expect to pay for
utilities that heat the home in the winter months and cool it in
the summer months?
- Does the property have a high maintenance
yard and garden? A beautiful yard and garden may be very expensive
to maintain.
- Are you a competent handyman or
handywoman?
- After you consider the amount of time that you spend preparing yourself each day for work, commuting to and from your job and performing your job, will you have enough remaining time to make repairs to your home and maintain your yard and garden?
Other Issues. Home ownership gives you a sense of stability and security, but it also gives you many challenges. For instance:- How should you handle potential legal
disputes with your neighbors?
- Perhaps you would like to install a
swimming pool or an in-law apartment. If so, how can you find a
reliable contractor?
- What are the legal risks associated with
home construction projects and how can you protect yourself from
the risks?
- The list of day-to-day issues that pertain to homeownership is seemingly endless.
Membership If you're a homeowner, or if you're thinking about buying a home, we invite you to become a member of American Homeowners Association. You will gain access to our Knowledge
Center where you can find answers to questions such as those I have described and many, many more…Applying for a membership is simple. Just click-open the Membership
Application page, complete the short Application and submit it to us. Our membership dues are $19.95 per month and you can resign from the Association at any time. The dues can be conveniently paid by automatic Debit charges to your checking account, or automatic charges to your Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card. If you choose either automatic payment method, your membership dues will be reduced by $2.00 per month.
Sincerely,
Alex Hossack
President
Homeowners News for Members
Homeowners News
"New Recipes for Updating the Kitchen; Design Trends"
"Homes as Individualistic as Their Buyers"
"Home Sales May Grow Thanks to Affordable Housing"
"Popularity Growing for Eco- and Family-Friendly Options in the Kitchen"
"Go Green . . . With Your Real Estate Agent"
"Gas Prices Impact Real Estate Choices"
"Here's What's Cooking in Kitchen Design"
"High-tech, Stylish Help Now Available for Aging Baby Boomers"
"For Second Home Purchases, Cash Is Now King"
"Market Climate Warms for House Hunters"
"Hot New Kitchen and Bath Trends: Finishes That Fit Tastes, Lifestyle"
"4 Steps to a Pet-Friendly House"
Abstract News © Copyright 2011 INFORMATION, INC.
Contact us: www.NAHAHome.org
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