The reality of finding a new place to live on your own can be scary because it encompasses an incredibly large numbers of factors. When you add a new marriage to the mix, it can be downright frightening! Deciding where to live can be one of the most difficult decisions… read more →
There is something liberating about spending time outside on a deck. Whether you make it a private retreat shaded by vegetation or an energetic entertainment area complete with a built-in BBQ, this outdoor living space is often the most enjoyable area of a home. It also increases the value of… read more →
The VA appraisal is a crucial part of the home-buying process for qualified veterans and service members. VA appraisals focus on valuation and a more broad-based check of property conditions that could affect health, safety, or marketability. Every VA buyer needs to clear the appraisal hurdle. But understand that an appraisal… read more →
Timing really is everything when it comes to home sales. Getting your asking price, and even attracting multiple buyers, can simply be a factor of the time of year when the home is sold. Spring and Summer Spring brings rain and flowers—and possibly extra green in the final sales price… read more →
When you’re considering buying a house, there are two sides to the story: the sellers asking price and the actual value of the property. This is where an appraiser steps in. What is the Job of an Appraiser? An appraiser’s job is to determine the current value of a property. Most of the… read more →
What clinches the deal for you when you’re weighing two similar rentals? It could be which place has more room for your clothes. But your closet does need to be in a desirable location. A tenant-screening company, surveyed renters on amenities they want. They found a handful of must-haves, including the following: A… read more →
Holding an open house is an act of faith. You clean, declutter, and prepare your home to look its best, hoping at least one of the visitors will fall in love enough to make an offer, preferably all-cash. At the same time, open houses are invitations to strangers to walk among your… read more →
The Wrong Smoke DetectorsA recent “60 Minutes” report said some of Lumber Liquidators’ flooring products contained unsafe levels of formaldehyde, sending the company’s stock on a downward spiral. But it was also a reminder about some of the lesser-known dangers that lurk in many of your home’s materials and components.… read more →
Think you’re a savvy mortgage shopper? You might not be. A study by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that only about half of home buyers shopped around for a mortgage, meaning the other half considered only one lender or broker. That’s great—if you’re a lender. But you’re a borrower, which means… read more →