Blog
How to Win a Bidding War
Buying a home is an emotional, complex and often stressful process. This is doubly so if you’re buying in one of the country’s hottest real estate markets, where there are more buyers than there are houses available. It’s quite likely…
Keeping the Old House when Buying the New
The current housing market, while picking up in most areas, has one basic problem: low supply. With many buyers choosing to keep their old home when they purchase a new home, fewer homes are on the market, driving up demand.…
Can My Real Estate Agent Offer to Buy My Home If There are No Off
The short answer is “yes,” but know what you’re signing up for. In a seller’s market it seems like most homes should sell — given enough time and exposure on the market. But there are some situations where a home…
Why More Americans Do Not Own Homes
Even while home prices are on the rise—fueled by the low supply, low mortgage rates and investor buying—the number of Americans that own homes, as a percentage of the population, is decreasing. The reasons vary, since many current renters are…
How to Save on Closing Costs
You’ve saved up the money for a down payment and are finally ready to make your dream of owning a home a reality. Congratulations! Buying a house is one of the most exciting – and one of the most stressful…
Do I Want to Buy with Cash?
According to Market Watch, 43% of homebuyers in 2014 so far have purchased with all cash. While some analysts believe that the cash-buying frenzy will not last, there is always more room for negotiation when the buyer brings cash to…
Watch Out for These Moving Scams
If you’re getting ready to move to your new home, you’ve no doubt been advised to research moving companies. While it may seem like a huge inconvenience to spend time vetting movers, there are some out there that are less…
Living Small
No matter what our background, we all have an ideal dream home size in mind. When it comes down to the actual living in it, however, can smaller be better? If your dream is for an urban dwelling with access…
Pros and Cons of Buying a Foreclosed Home
If you’re in the market for a new home, perhaps you’ve browsed listings and come across a foreclosure or two that you like. Maybe you’ve even noticed that some of these homes have listing prices that are below the typical…
Choosing Paint by Light Direction
Light exposure in your room plays a large part in the visual drama of your paint colors. In rooms with multi-directional sun exposure—either opposing (east/west or north/south) or perpendicular (north/west, north/east, south/west, south/east)—the play of light over your walls, reflecting…
Reinvent a Room for Staging
You’re ready to sell, but you know that your home could use some updates to attract serious buyers. But you don’t want to invest significant time or money, which is understandable. Major remodels don’t always bring a desired return on…
Preparing for Your Open House
If you’re selling your home, then an open house is likely going to be one of the tools your agent uses to market your property to prospective buyers. An open house is a great way to show your home to…
Should You Make a Backup Offer?
You’ve found a house you love and you’re ready to make an offer. Unfortunately, you find out from your real estate agent that the house is under contract – meaning the seller has already accepted another offer. While it can…
Tips for Moving During Winter
Moving during winter is probably not something you hoped you’d ever do, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. However, moving in winter has some perks. Since fewer people move during the cold season you’ll likely get more personalized attention and lower rates…
What is a 203k Loan?
If you’re buying a fixer-upper or need to make some repairs before moving in, an FHA 203k loan may be what you need. This type of loan allows you to roll renovation costs into your mortgage so that you’re only…
How to Choose Between Two Homes You Love
Do you find yourself having to choose between two homes that you love? It’s a lucky problem to have. Some buyers struggle to find one home that meets their needs. Nonetheless, your good fortune doesn’t make the choice any easier.…
10 Signs That It’s Time to Move
While moving can be a real drag, sometimes it’s obvious that it’s time to go. A move can be just the thing you need to jumpstart your life and invite positive change. If you’re unsure whether or not you’re ready…
Surviving Your Long Distance Home Purchase
Buying a new home can be stressful. But when you have to do it from across the country, it can be doubly so. If you’ve recently gotten a new job, committed to a new relationship or just need a change…