If you are currently renting but considering shopping around for your first home, the time is right. The past year in real estate has led to many homes lingering on the market and a stabilization of home prices. To top it all off, interest rates on mortgages are still at all time lows. With this wonderful selection of more affordable homes to choose from, it’s not only a buyer’s market, but a first time homebuyer’s dream market too.

When thinking of purchasing a first home, there are many things to take into consideration. To keep your costs down, you may consider looking at fixer-uppers. Are you reasonably handy? Can you make some attractive but low cost improvements on a home that needs a little work? Maybe it’s as simple as patching a few walls, and some fresh paint and carpet. Maybe it’s a new countertop to spruce up that tired looking kitchen. Kitchen improvements don’t have to cost thousands, so much can be done on a shoestring. There are some great low cost Formica countertops at the home centers that will give your kitchen a whole new look on a small budget. And, old cabinets can come to life with a fresh coat of white paint. [Read more…]