These Are Things That Millennial Buyers Look at When Searching For a Home

Millennials are a unique demographic. They’re well-informed and are very sophisticated when it comes to what they want, particularly when it comes to the home they plan to buy.

These “Generation Yers” have plenty of expectations that the generations before

Should You Hire Movers or Move Yourself?

Planning on moving sometime soon? Have you already found your dream home and are in the process of selling? No matter where you happen to be on the home selling/buying spectrum, you’ll likely have some belongings to move.

That’s why

Why Did the Home Appraisal Fall Through? These 5 Things Could Be the Reason

Appraisals are an important part of the real estate transaction, especially when a mortgage is involved. Lenders will typically want to verify the current market value of a home before they agree to extend a specific loan amount, and they

What to Ask a Potential Home Stager Before Hiring One

If selling your home quickly and for as much money as possible is what you’re after, then hiring a professional home stager can be the secret sauce that you’re looking for. While there are certainly many components to successfully selling

INFOGRAPHIC: NAR’s Existing Home Sales Report For August 2018

Strategies For Pricing a Home in a Hot Seller’s Market

If there’s ever an ideal time to list a home for sale, it’s during a seller’s market.

In this type of market, demand is very high, while inventory remains relatively tight. It’s this type of environment that can send sale

How to Make Your Cookie-Cutter Home Stand Out

If you live in a subdivision – whether new or old – odds are your home’s layout is pretty similar to the rest of the homes on the block. Even the exterior finishes and elevation may be similar.

While you

Should You Buy an Old House Versus New?

Thinking of buying a new home?

There are plenty of decisions that you have to make, including whether to buy resale or purchase brand-new construction. There are pros and cons to both, and depending on how these stack up, they

INFOGRAPHIC: What Do First-Time Homebuyers Look Like?

How to Make the Most of a Small Space

Your home may be tight on square footage, but that doesn’t have to mean that it’s totally unusable. In fact, there are plenty of ways to make the most of small spaces and make them seem larger than they really

How Much Are Famous Homes in Movies and TV Actually Worth?

Ever wonder how much those amazing homes you see on television or in the movies are really worth in real life? The Tanner’s home from Full House or the classic abode from Home Alone are classic examples of homes that

Home Equity Loan Vs. Home Equity Line of Credit: What’s the Difference?

Did you know that you can borrow money against the equity you’ve got built up in your home?

If you’re a homeowner and have accrued equity as a result of appreciation, a long string of payments, or both, you may

INFOGRAPHIC: NAR’s Existing Home Sales Report For July 2018

Why a Lower Interest Rate Might Not Make Your Mortgage Cheaper

The amount of money you borrow to finance a home purchase is obviously the key factor in how much your mortgage payments will be. But your interest rate will also play an important role in how expensive your overall mortgage

10 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While it’s Vacant

There could be any number of reasons why you have to leave your home vacant after you sell it. Maybe you’ve found a new home to buy and it closes before you’re able to find a buyer for your home.

How Quickly Can Your Credit Score Increase?

If your credit score is on the low side, you could find it pretty tough to get approved for a mortgage.

You’ll probably even find that a low credit score will impact your ability to get any other type of

All About the 1031 Exchange For Avoiding Capital Gains in Real Estate Sales

Home sellers usually don’t have to pay any capital gains taxes on profits made upon the proceeds of a sale because they are typically using those proceeds to be put towards another home to move into.

But what about real

What is Involved in a Swimming Pool Inspection Before Buying a Home?

If you’re going to be spending the big bucks on a home purchase, you want to make sure you don’t end up with a property that’s just going to cause you problems long after you move in. That’s why it’s

7 Tricks Home Stagers Use to Attract Buyers

As a seller, you want to pull out all the stops to get buyers to notice your listing. And once they lay eyes on it, you’ll want them to be impressed with what they see. Handing buyers exactly what they

What’s it Like to Have Your Home Improved on a Reality TV Show?

You’ve probably watched your fair share of Trading Spaces, Fixer Upper, or Love It Or List It. And you’ve probably learned a thing or two or have at least been thoroughly entertained by them.

But what’s it actually like to

Should You Fix Up Your Home Before Selling it?

You might be eager to sell your home, but is it really ready for the market? Upon closer inspection, you might notice that there are a few issues with your property that require attention. Even your real estate agent might

How to Buy a House Before it’s Listed

If you want to find and buy your dream home, you’ll have to wait until it hits the market and is advertised on popular mediums like the MLS, right?

Wrong.

In fact, it’s very possible to find a home before

These 7 Home Buying Mistakes Can Cost You

Thinking of buying a home in the near future? Keep in mind that there are several things that you should do, and a number of others that you shouldn’t. Buying real estate is a huge deal that involves a ton

What Do Builder’s Warranties Cover When Buying a New Home?

Just because you’re buying a new home doesn’t mean something can’t happen shortly after moving in. That’s why it’s customary for builders to include a home warranty with every new construction purchase, which gives buyers some assurance that they won’t

Thinking of Buying on a Golf Course? Here Are 6 Things to Consider First

What’s not to love about the vast greenery, meticulously maintained grounds and rolling hills of a golf course? It certainly provides for a gorgeous backdrop for any backyard, and many residential communities are built around golf courses. And if you’re

What Do HOA Fees Cover?

Condos and homes that are located in an HOA community come with a certain set of perks that you won’t find in your traditional home. They offer private amenities solely for community residents, provide maintenance for all common areas, and

Should You Build an Addition to Your Home?

Are you beginning to outgrow your home? Is your house not providing enough space for you and your family?

While some owners may choose to list and sell in favor of a larger property with more square footage, others decide

INFOGRAPHIC: NAR’s Existing Home Sales Report For May 2018

Should You Buy Mortgage Insurance?

As a homebuyer, you’re already paying expenses left and right. Aside from the actual purchase of the property, you’ve also got a slew of other expenses to cover, from appraisal fees, to loan origination fees, to land transfer taxes and

Small, Simple Changes That Can Make Your Home More “Green”

Americans can be a very wasteful bunch. It’s estimated that we create about 254 million tons of trash and waste about 20% of energy every year. Forty percent of food is wasted annually, and our carbon footprint is equal to

Should You Take Your Home off the Market?

Every seller hopes for the best when they first put their home on the market. Getting a great offer shortly after listing and selling for top dollar are obvious goals for sellers. But what happens if there are no takers?

7 Things That Sellers Should Leave Behind When They Sell

You’ve successfully sold your home and are ready to pack up all your belongings to haul over to your new abode. But while you’ll certainly want to take all of your furniture, artwork, and linens with you, are there certain

Should You Renew Your Lease?

You’ve lived in your rental unit for a while now, but your lease is coming due. Now’s the time to start thinking about whether or not to continue on with your current landlord and remain in the premises, or move

Sellers: How to Effectively Handle an Offer

When an offer comes in from a buyer, the first component that sellers will typically look at is the offer price. Naturally, the offer price is the first thing that catches sellers’ attention, and rightfully so. But as important as

What Sellers Should Know About Listing Agreements

If you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, you’ve got a few tasks on your plate, and one of the more important ones is teaming up with a real estate professional. Having an agent by your side

Can Your Mortgage Application Be Rejected After You’ve Already Been Pre-Approved?

If you plan to make a home purchase sometime in the near future, one of your first steps should be to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Speaking with a mortgage professional will help you determine how much you can actually

11 Tips For First-Time Homebuyers Breaking Into the Housing Market

Are you finally ready to get into the housing market? If you so, your first time can be pretty exciting yet daunting. Considering the fact that you’ve never been involved in the world of real estate before, you’ll definitely need

How to Finally Get Rid of Your PMI or FHA Mortgage Insurance

If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage to help you finance a home purchase, you could get stuck paying mortgage insurance, depending on the type of home loan you take out and your down payment amount.

If it’s a

What’s the Difference Between ‘Exurbs’ and ‘Suburbs’?

City living is ideal for many people, especially those who work in the downtown core or who simply like to be in the center of the action. But living in urban centers is typically expensive, especially when compared to homes

What is a “Proof of Funds” Letter in a Real Estate Purchase?

If you were selling your home, would you want to be absolutely certain that the buyers are able to secure a mortgage to make the real estate deal go through? Of course, you would, and that’s exactly what the purpose

What to Look For When Buying a Flipped Property

There are a lot of real estate investors out there looking to make some good money fixing and flipping houses. And if you’ve been watching your favorite programs on HGTV and the like, you may have noticed that flipping houses

Title Insurance 101: Everything You Need to Know

Buying a new home can certainly be an overwhelming and sometimes frightening thing, especially if you’re completely new to this game. There are so many components involved in buying real estate that buyers need to be aware of in order

What is the MLS and How Does it Work?

Whether you’re a newbie buyer or seller or have bought and sold homes a few times over the years, you’ve most likely heard of the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service.

In today’s competitive real estate market, it’s important for sellers

What’s the Difference Between Replacement Cost Vs Actual Cash Value in Home Insurance?

You pay homeowner’s insurance, and although you never want to have to use it, there may be some unfortunate circumstances that may require you to file a claim. Of course, it’s important to crunch the numbers to make sure that

Sellers: Before You Finalize Your Taxes, Here are 5 Write-Offs

Paying taxes is never fun, but you may be able to find ways to keep a little extra money in your pocket when filing. Keeping tabs on specific transactions related to your home throughout the year can help you minimize

INFOGRAPHIC: Your Home Inspection Checklist

What Exactly is a Mortgage Transfer?

With the typical sale of a property, the new owners usually apply for a mortgage to finance the purchase. When the sale is finalized, the new owners begin paying their new mortgage with the set of terms and interest rate

What Types of Liens Can Cloud the Title on My Property?

Real estate transactions aren’t always free of unpleasant surprises. Sometimes a home inspection will uncover an unknown issue or the buyer won’t be able to secure financing despite being pre-approved.

But there’s another potentially unexpected issue that can arise after

Why Should Buyers Sign a Buyer’s Representation Agreement?

Buying a home is a big deal, and buyers are highly advised to have representation when they search for a home and negotiate a deal. Having a real estate agent represent you when making this massive purchase is certainly beneficial

INFOGRAPHIC: First-Time Homebuyer Stats

Pros and Cons of Buying in a Gated Community

The thought of a gated community might conjure up visions of ritzy neighborhoods in Hollywood where all the hottest celebrities tend to live. Behind those gates are thought to be incredible homes on amazing lots with fabulous amenities at the

How to Handle the Final Walk-Through Inspection Before You Close

The final walk-through of a home is your last chance to make sure all is as it should be before you close on the deal. During this crucial visit, you’ll have the opportunity to see if anything has changed from

Is it Possible to Buy a Home With Bad Credit?

Getting approved for a mortgage can be pretty challenging these days. Lenders are rather stringent with their lending requirements and aren’t in the business of loaning out money to just anyone. Nowadays, you’ve got to meet strict criteria in order

What Can Happen if Your Remodel Without a Permit?

If you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen, expanding the living room, or adding a completely new addition to your home, you’ll need to apply for a permit before any work begins. While some home improvement projects might not need a

What is an ‘Alienation Clause’ in Real Estate?

If you’re buying or selling a home that still has a mortgage on it, you’ll likely be dealing with what’s known the lending world as an ‘alienation clause’.

Also known as a ‘due on sale clause’, an alienation clause gives

6 Reasons to Reduce the Price of Your Home

No seller ever wants to have to reduce the price of their home,  but sometimes it might be a necessary step to sell in a reasonable amount of time. Of course, all sellers want to make the most money on

How to Get Rid of That Unsightly Popcorn Ceiling

Does your home still have popcorn ceilings that were popular decades ago? If so, it’s probably time for a change. Odds are, you’ve probably already been thinking about getting rid of your popcorn ceilings but just haven’t gotten around to

6 Things You Need to Know Before Renting Out a Condo

Renting out a property is a great way to bring in supplemental income, whether it’s a home, apartment, condo, or other type of real estate. But there are rules that landlords must adhere to in order to comply with the

8 Crucial Things Your Real Estate Landing Page Should Have

A real estate landing page can be a powerful tool to help you generate more leads for your business, but how it’s designed makes all the difference. Landing pages are basically any web page that visitors arrive at from another

Open Concept Floor Plans: Pros and Cons

Decades ago, residential floor plans were anything but open concept. Instead, the main entrance and hallways typically anchored all the living spaces that were sectioned off and separated from each other.

Over recent years, however, layouts have become more inclusive

What’s the Difference Between “Assessed Value” and “Fair Market Value”?

Property values play a key role in the world of real estate. Buyers are always looking to get a deal on a home, while sellers are always seeking the highest price.

But property values never stay put. They’re always changing

INFOGRAPHIC: 14 Real Estate Terms All Buyers Should Know

8 Neighborhood Features Homebuyers Should Steer Clear of

When you buy a home, you’re also buying the neighborhood. The area you purchase into has a direct impact on the value of your home, both today and into the future. While it might sound silly to think about selling

Should Sellers Have a Pre-Listing Home Inspection Done?

Home inspections are typical in a real estate transaction. After all, buyers want to know exactly what they’re spending all their money on and will usually want to order a home inspection before they commit to the home.

But as

How Much Notice Should Sellers Request Before Showings?

When you put your home on the market, expect to have a lot of strangers visit. After all, buyers will obviously want to check out your home in person before deciding if it’s the one for them.

But it would

INFOGRAPHIC: 11 Common Myths About Buying a Condo

7 Red Flags of a Moving Scam

The moving process is stressful enough; the last thing you need is to wind up dealing with a shady moving company. Ideally, you want to work with a moving company that’s trustworthy and reliable. Unfortunately, there are scammers everywhere who

What Are HOA Transfer Fees and Who Pays For Them?

Whether you’re buying or selling a condo or other type of home governed by a homeowner’s association (HOA), there are few extra considerations that need to be made compared to the average freehold home.

No matter what type of home

Can You Sell Your Home With a Lien on it?

When a property switches hands from seller to buyer, a title search is usually performed. This is done for the purpose of issuing title insurance, as well as to give buyers the chance to make sure that the seller is

INFOGRAPHIC: 16 Guidelines to Follow For a Well-Organized Home

8 Factors That Play Key Roles in Determining Your Mortgage Rate

If you’re planning to buy a home in the near future, you’ll want to get the lowest interest rate possible on your mortgage. Even the difference of a fraction of a percent can save you tens of thousands of dollars

What’s the Difference Between Mortgage “Term” Vs. “Amortization”?

When it comes time to buy a home, one of the first things you’ll have to do is shop around for a mortgage. When doing so, you’ll quickly realize that there are plenty of different types of mortgages to choose

What Your Home’s Decor Says About Your Personality

Have you ever thought about why you decorated and furnished your home in a certain way? While you may not realize it, your home’s decor says a lot about you. Whether or not the vibe given off by your style

6 Signs of a Seller’s Markets

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, knowing what type of market you’re currently in will make a big difference in your approach. Obviously, a seller’s market is a good thing for homeowners who are thinking of listing their homes for

What’s the Difference Between a Construction Loan and Traditional Mortgage?

If you’re buying a home, odds are you’ll need to take out a mortgage to finance such a large purchase. But if you’re planning to build your own home from scratch, the type of financing you get to cover the

INFOGRAPHIC: Housing Outlook For 2018

Homebuyers: How to Tell if You’re Getting a Good Deal

Buyers are always looking for the best deal on a home. After all, why pay more for a home than necessary? When it comes to a major purchase like real estate, the prospect of getting a deal becomes much more

Using Your 401(K) or IRA For Your Down Payment

If you’re planning to buy a home in the near future, you’ll need some form of down payment to secure a mortgage. The thing is, it can be downright difficult to gather up the funds needed to put a decent-sized

Pros and Cons of Buying a Timeshare

Timeshares have been popular vacation options for many Americans over the years, allowing them to essentially “own” their vacation properties without outright buying real estate. Buyers can purchase their vacations in advance and use their vacation properties under specific terms,