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Home Buying

Ready to buy a new home? You’ve come to the right place! Here’s everything you need to know in order to find your dream home, put in a great offer, and close the deal without a hitch.

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What type of buyer are you?

I need the basics I'm a first time homebuyer I'm looking for my dream home I'm relocating I'm retiring
how to find a buyers agent thats a good negotiator
How to Find a Buyer’s Agent That’s a Good Negotiator

Looking for a home in a seller’s market is tough. Unless you can out-negotiate competition. Havin...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | August 24, 2018
A Buyers’ and Sellers’ Guide to Contingent Offers
A Buyers’ and Sellers’ Guide to Contingent Offers

When a buyer puts in a contingent offer, they are saying to the seller, “I want to buy this house...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | October 17, 2018
The Home Buying Journey

Researching

Thinking about buying a house? Learn everything you need to know about the home purchasing process and find out if you’re making the right move (pun intended).

Multicolored balloons with strings attached, to represent a balloon payment.
Balloon Payments: A Whole Lot of Hot Air?

While they work in certain situations, are balloon payments really as good as they sound?

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Oct 31, 2018
real estate agent
How to Find a Buyer’s Agent You Can Trust

Buying a home is a big deal! You want to make sure you have the best buyer’s agent. Here’s how to...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Nov 9, 2018
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Arm’s-Length Transactions Keep Real Estate Deals Fair: Here’s How
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The Top 20 Cheapest States to Buy a House in 2019
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Real Estate Taxes 101- How to Calculate Property Tax
View Researching

Deciding When To Buy

You’ve decided to buy a new home, but when is the best time to make a move? Learn how to analyze seasonal trends and regional shifts in demand so you can time the market and give yourself the upper hand.

best time of year to buy a house
What Is The Best Time of The Year to Buy a House?

Ask a real estate agent, and they will tell you the best time to buy a house is right now. The tr...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Jun 10, 2018
How to Buy a House in a Seller’s Market

Home prices are continuing to climb in 2018. In fact, in a year-over-year comparison to the start...

By: Ben Mizes | Apr 9, 2018
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How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Loan?
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Is it a Buyer or Seller’s Market in 2018?
How to Buy a House in a Seller’s Market
View Deciding When To Buy

Deciding Where To Buy

You’re ready to make a move, but do you know where to buy? Learn what to look for in specific regions, cities, and neighborhoods to ensure you’re making a smart short- and long-term investment.

buying a hosue out of state
The Clever Guide to Buying a House Out of State

Making the move to a different state? We've compiled a complete how-to from that covers everythin...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Jul 19, 2018
buying a house out of state
Everything You Need to Know About Buying a House Out of State

Buying a home out of state can be tricky, but don't worry. We've got a guide of the right questio...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Dec 11, 2018
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Looking to Move? These Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in the US
Aerial view of a neighborhood. Neighborhoods often have an HOA.
Understanding HOAs: The Pros & Cons
These Were the Cheapest Cities to Buy a Home in 2018
View Deciding Where To Buy

Getting Preapproved For A Mortgage

You’ve fallen in love with a new home and you need to apply for a loan — what now? Here’s everything you need to know about mortgages, including what you need to apply for one, how the process works, and who to connect with to get the ball rolling.

how long does it take to get a home loan
How Long Does It Take to Get a Home Loan?

You're rushing around trying to buy a home. While the entire process could take months- even year...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Jul 27, 2018
Pre-approval letter with approved stamp
How Long Does a Mortgage Pre-Approval Last?

There's a pass that helps you sweeten your purchase offer: a mortgage pre-approval. Here's how lo...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Nov 21, 2018
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How Long Does a Mortgage Pre-Approval Last?
One hand holds a mini house, another hand holds a bag of money, representing a loan.
What Is a Conventional Loan and When Should You Get One?
buy a house with little to no down payment
How to Buy a House with Little to No Down Payment
View Getting Preapproved For A Mortgage

Choosing a Buyer's Agent

Buying a new house is complicated. Working with an experienced agent is the best way to ensure the process goes smoothly. Learn how to choose the right buyer’s agent, given your specific situation and goals.

real estate agent
How to Find a Buyer’s Agent You Can Trust

Buying a home is a big deal! You want to make sure you have the best buyer’s agent. Here’s how to...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Nov 9, 2018
how to find a buyers agent thats a good negotiator
How to Find a Buyer’s Agent That’s a Good Negotiator

Looking for a home in a seller’s market is tough. Unless you can out-negotiate competition. Havin...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Aug 24, 2018
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Why Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent Makes all the Difference
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What Does a Real Estate Agent Do For a Buyer?
View Choosing a Buyer's Agent

House Hunting

With so many choices to make, shopping for a home can be an overwhelming experience. Learn everything you need to know to become an expert house hunter, from identifying red flags to evaluating neighborhoods to choosing a great buyer’s agent.

The Clever Real Estate House Hunting Checklist
The Clever Real Estate House Hunting Checklist

At Clever, we’ve seen more than our share of real estate transactions to know what to look for wh...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Jun 27, 2018
How Long To Buy A House
What to Look For When Buying a House

Buying a house is a complicated, and often emotional process. It's important to know what you're ...

By: Ben Mizes | May 31, 2018
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Open Houses Near Me: How to Find Open Houses
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How to Find Comparable Sales (Comps) When Buying or Selling a Home
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What “Active Option Contract” Means in Real Estate
View House Hunting

Making An Offer

Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll need to act fast if you don’t want it to slip through your fingers. Learn the right way to go about making an offer that the seller will love and accept.

negotiate offer below asking price
How Much to Offer on a House Below Asking Price

How low can you go on an offer for home? Work with a Clever Partner Agent so they can guide you t...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Jul 12, 2018
How to Write a Persuasive Offer Letter to the Seller

A letter to the seller can be a great way to add value to your offer. Appropriately done, a well-...

By: Ben Mizes | Apr 17, 2018
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The Ultimate Guide to Lowball Offers: How to Make a Successful Offer
A Buyers’ and Sellers’ Guide to Contingent Offers
A Buyers’ and Sellers’ Guide to Contingent Offers
How to Make a Competitive Offer on a House Without a Realtor
How to Make a Competitive Offer on a House Without a Realtor
View Making An Offer

Inspections & Negotiations

Before you close on your new home, you’ll have to go through inspections and negotiate with the seller — here’s everything you need to know to ensure you walk away with the best deal possible.

new roof
The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist

Finally, a home inspection checklist that doesn’t let anything slip through the cracks.

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Nov 6, 2018
Real Estate Counter Offer Etiquette for Buyers and Sellers

A counter offer sounds like bad news. But it doesn't have to be. Learn to deal with counter offer...

By: Reuven Shechter | Jul 7, 2018
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10-Step Checklist for a Final Home Purchase Walkthrough
When Can a Buyer Terminate a Contract in Real Estate?
When Can a Buyer Terminate a Contract in Real Estate?
What to Expect During a Home Inspection
View Inspections & Negotiations

The Closing Process

You’re almost there! Just one last step before your dream house officially becomes your property. Learn everything you need to know about closing, including how the process works, common problems that can arise, and what you should do to prepare.

the ultimate checklist for closing on a house
The Ultimate Checklist for Closing on a House

Closing on a house for sellers is often exciting. This closing on a house checklist for sellers w...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Sep 28, 2018
The Real Estate Closing Process for Buyers

Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the real estate closing process fr...

By: Andrew Schmeerbauch | Jul 13, 2018
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The Real Estate Closing Process for Buyers
Who Pays Closing Costs?
Woman with stack of documents on desk goes through underwriting process
A Full Guide to the Mortgage Underwriting Process
View The Closing Process

Moving

You’ve just closed on your dream home — congratulations! Now the fun begins. Here’s what you need to know to ensure the moving process goes smoothly and costs remain under control.

moving-out-of-home
5 Tips for Moving Out of Your House Quickly

Having to move out of your house quickly is not all that uncommon. Whatever the situation may be,...

By: Luke Babich | Apr 4, 2018
mailbox
Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify

Changing your address in a timely manner is extremely important. Follow this checklist to ensure ...

By: Jake Cardenas | Mar 19, 2018
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Real Estate Vocabulary: 16 Terms Every Home Buyer and Seller Should Know
View Moving
View All Home Buying Articles

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