Buying your first home is exciting and overwhelming all at once. Before you get in over your head, use these simple tips to best prepare you for one of the largest investments you’ll make in your lifetime.

Homeowners insurance. It’s there for all the “what ifs.” Because we never know when a disaster will strike...

When you hear the word “agent,” it’s assumed that it is a person who acts on your behalf. Travel agents, insurance agents, and, of course, real estate agents are trained to represent your interests, offering you pertinent information before making some of the big decisions.

You’ve been looking in earnest at resale homes, but on a tour of the outskirts of town, you see something off in the distance. A series of signs and banners are everywhere, leading Hansel-and-Gretel style to a brand spanking new set of stunning, lit-up model homes. The curiosity is killing you, so you take all the requisite turns to reach the model home sales office. There, you are greeted by a friendly salesperson (usually a licensed real estate agent) who works exclusively on behalf of the builder.