As competition heats up among home sellers in today's market, gaining a competitive edge matters now more than ever. While many homeowners look to tackle home improvement projects before putting their home on the market to attract as many buyers as possible and garner the best possible sales price, not all home improvements deliver the same return on investment. According to a recent Zillow survey...
If you've been thinking about starting the search for your new home, there may be several factors preventing you from moving forward. From higher interest rates to talk of a housing crash, today's environment has caused many would-be homebuyers—and sellers—to put their plans on hold. While reticence is understandable given today's headlines, there are several real-world facts that you should...
Homeowners insurance companies decide whether to issue policies and set their rates based on risk. Many factors, including a house’s location, can influence its risk profile. In some cases, a home’s location makes it difficult to get homeowners insurance. If you find yourself in that situation, you may be able to find another way to get coverage. How Location Can Affect Risk Some parts of the...
Becoming a new homeowner is an exciting milestone. It can also be an overwhelming process full of decision-making, seemingly endless paperwork and new responsibilities. When the dust settles and you officially sign for your new home, your work doesn’t end there. Many new homeowners don’t realize these important things. Don’t be caught unaware, be sure you understand these important tips. Your...
Do you have a smaller budget but want to own a home and start building equity? When you are looking at housing options for a lower income, it can seem like an uphill struggle. But if you are willing to look at less traditional property types, you might have more options than you realize. Some types of houses for low-income buyers allow you to build a home on a budget that will last for decades....
One of the great mysteries for first time home buyers is their down payment amount. For years there has been a prevailing myth that you need to have 20% down in order to purchase a home. It's not true! In fact, the average down payment on a home for a first-time home buyer is around 6% of the purchase price.For buyers who have bought before it moves up to around 12%. Both figures are a far...
When you are buying or selling a property, it is important to understand the property lines. Knowing your lot lines will help ensure that the transaction goes smoothly. As a home buyer, you're probably going to be interested in knowing the location of your boundary lines for more than one reason. Of course, you might want to know exactly what you're buying but also not want to disturb the neighbors...
With student debt looming and career paths constantly changing, the financial situation for a lot of young adults is tough. If your kids are in their 20s or 30s and still haven’t purchased a home, maybe you would like to help them. For those who can’t afford to give their adult children the entire cost of a home, there are options available to assist them financially in the home-buying...
Often in the housing industry, people get caught looking up. Expecting the next big thing or the solution to long-standing problems to come from a national think-tank, a big conglomerate or an established thought leader is not misguided—a lot of world-changing ideas do, of course, originate from these spheres. At the same time, it is easy to miss spectacularly innovative new ideas or approaches simply...
Mold grows in places that are damp and dark, and bathrooms often become breeding grounds. Mold can look and smell bad, and can also cause serious respiratory problems if it goes unchecked. If you struggle with this common problem, you may be able to solve it by taking some simple steps. To prevent mold, consistency is key. Moisture in the bathroom will always be an issue, but changing your habits...