The largest numbers of second homes are in states with large populations. The greatest percentage of second homes are in smaller and less populous states. The most popular locations for second homes are near bodies of water and mountains and second home buyers prefer rural settings to those more urban, but in most cases, second homes are within less than a day's drive from the primary residence. Second homes are everywhere

Besides the common problems with a seller's market ? not enough inventory and too many buyers ? there's also the problem that a house can actually sell for too much. This can happen when a contract price exceeds an appraisal from the bank. When this occurs the buyer must come up with the difference or the seller must reduce the sales price down to the appraisal

James and Michelle Rigdon purchased a new $427,000 Gilroy, CA home with a conventional $282,500 first mortgage, a $25,000 deferred payment California Housing Finance Agency second, an $85,000 third from South (Santa Clara) County Housing, a $6,500 fourth from the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County and a $6,000 grant from a non-profit agency

Escrow has closed, the title is in your name, and the hassle of moving is finally over. While you may feel like the home buying process is behind you, it's not. Now comes the onslaught of mailers, solicitations, and tempting offers geared toward new homeowners, who are typically trying to rebuild their finances

As a first-time buyer who knows she needs help holding her own against other buyers for the house she wants to purchase and also owners with broker representation. She hires an Accredited Buyer's Representative, (ABR) Mac Martin who works in the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to advocate and negotiate her position. He advises her that based on the current seller's market and the fierce competition for homes like this, her best advantage is to

Question: I have been renting the same townhouse for the last six years. My landlord now wants to sell the property and he has asked if I want to buy it. He is offering to sell it to me for $220,000, which I think is a great deal. I have a good salary, good credit and a good savings account. My question is this: How much cash should I use as a down payment and how much of a loan should I apply for? Some people tell me I should put at least 20 percent down to eliminate Private Mortgage Insurance (MI). Others have said I should keep my cash and take the largest loan possible to get the tax deduction. Is there a rule of thumb that I should follow when it comes to a down payment?

The National Association of Home Builders reports that new-home sales in August reached a record 996,000 units on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. "Very low interest rates and the widely held view that housing is a very good investment are largely responsible for the surge in new home sales," said NAHB President Gary Garczynski, a builder/developer from Woodbridge, Va

Thinking about a second home? In 2001, nearly 6 percent of the record 6.2 million sales of single-family homes were of second homes. According to the most recent data, there were 3.6 million vacant seasonal homes in the third quarter of 2002, up from 3.1 million in 1990 and only 1.7 million in 1980, the U.S. Census Bureau said

Q: I am currently in escrow on a house. We had the inspection done yesterday. There are a few major concerns of which we were unaware. The largest is a faulty shower pan, which has been leaking for several years and has caused substantial damage to the sub-flooring. What is the best way to handle this? Allow the seller to choose the method and company to repair this? Or should I have a professional estimate the costs, then ask for cash from the seller so as to allow myself control over the work? I would like to know the best way to negotiate an allowance (or discount off sales price) for these items. I don't expect the house to be restored to perfect condition for me, but I've heard of parties negotiating on such items

If you're in the process of searching for or buying a home, you've probably been advised to have a home inspection. But there's another test that you'll want to make sure your potential home -- or, if you don't have plans to move, your current home -- passes - the radon test

When you're in the market for a home, it seems as if there are millions of questions to ask -- and no doubt plenty more. As buyers we become so wrapped up in the physical aspects of the house -- the rooms, amenities, and structure -- that we give less attention to quiet issues which may strongly impact our ability to enjoy a home

Growing up in the south, it was not unusual to pass by many mobile home parks on the way to anywhere. They were - and still are - considered a vital part of many communities across the country and may offer a viable alternative to traditional housing for households seeking an affordable home of their own

You've finally found the perfect - or near-perfect - house. You've haggled, negotiated, and appear close to finalizing the deal. But first you'll want to hire a professional inspector - and then you'll want to do some inspecting yourself, including the home's major systems

Q: Within the next year, I will be purchasing property in the District of Columbia. The property and the mortgage will be in my name, but my boyfriend will be living in the property with me. Is there a domestic relations law that would allow the house to be split and sold if in the future, we should split up while we are both living in the property? Is there some way that I would have to relinquish half of my rights or ownership in the property because he will be paying half of the mortgage and utilities?

If you're one of the growing numbers of homeowners opting for a condo, you shouldn't consider the buying process any different than if you are buying a single-family home - especially when it comes to the home inspection

Would you spend $650,000 for a beachfront home with sagging shutters, no landscaping, peeling paint, old appliances, outdated wallpaper and a generally drab exterior? On paper, the house sounds less-than-desirable -- okay, it sounds hideous. But before you answer, consider that this potential fixer-upper is located in California just steps from the Pacific. Drab as it may be, could this home sparkle one day? With a coat of paint, some "sweat" equity, and thorough revamping inside and out could this property be an investment gem?

Since Sept. 11, more and more Americans have pushed safety and security high on their list of requirements for the community where they might buy a home. Some are reconsidering the allure of big city urban living, especially when a greater use of technology can permit them to live virtually anywhere and telecommute to the city for work

While the thought of paying a mortgage is more enticing than paying rent, it's important to understand all the costs involved in buying and owning a home as you determine whether you can afford to join the ranks of homeowners

Question: My wife and I have been looking for the right house to buy for the last year or so. Property values have skyrocketed so we have been searching for well-priced "handyman specials", figuring we could buy at a good price and make improvements ourselves, over time. We found the perfect house in a great neighborhood for $230,000

If you're getting ready to buy a house during what is typically the busiest buying and selling time of the year, then offers may be flying, loans may seem confusing, and everything may be moving way too fast. That's why it's important to do everything you can to protect yourself throughout the entire home buying process