Container Top
Homes   Jobs   Cars   Shopping
Search

Events Calendar

EVENT SEARCH:

In This Section


Most Read Stories


Blogs:


Pets:
Sick Pets Get High-tech Health Care

The Heldenfiles:
Friday Notebook

Patrick McManamon:
Dealing with the Irish disappointment

Akron Zips:
Preview — Akron vs. Bowling Green

Tribe Matters:
Alomar added to Indians coaching staff

Cleveland Browns:
Hey, somebody's gotta stick up for the Browns

Kent State Sports:
Kent State @ Temple | Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Washington Wizards

Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad

Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today

All Da King's Men:
Attention Haters, Palin And Hannity Together

Blog of Mass Destruction:
Muslim McCarthyism & Death Prayers

Akron Law Café:
NEW- Case Law on Google!

See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic

Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED

Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!

Ohio Travels with Betty:
Norma asks if Barkitecture is still at Stan Hywet.

Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall

HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron

Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go

Welcome Home

Now might be a great time to buy your first home.

The market is bloated with houses for sale. Many sellers, eager to move up and tired of waiting, are willing to negotiate. And while interest rates have risen lately, they're still at enticing levels.

It could be the opportune time to become a homeowner if you're ready. That's a big if, because the fallout from the foreclosure crisis has brought stricter loan qualifications that make it harder to borrow money.

Beacon Journal reporters Betty Lin-Fisher and Mary Beth Breckenridge have developed a series of stories to help first-time home buyers determine whether they're ready for homeownership and guide them through the steps involved in searching for, financing and purchasing a home. The intention is to help buyers avoid the mistakes that led to the recent wave of foreclosures and find homes that fit both their needs and their budgets.

May 18, 2008
Know what you can spend without breaking the family budget
Also see:
FICO score matters
Get a free credit report

Interview to find one who's a good fit; be clear on the commission
Also see:
What to ask agents
For sale by owner
Do you need an attorney

Bank or credit union where you already do business is a good place to start.
Also see:
Glossary for home buyers
No shopping sprees
Loan tips
Red flags


May 24, 2008
Today we'll walk you through each step of buying your first home.
Also see:
For sale by owner
Legal help
Buying a foreclosure can be a gamble

An inspection costs a few hundred dollars, but what it uncovers could be priceless
Also see:
Other inspections

Thoroughly reviewing mountain of mortgage papers in advance can prevent huge headaches