A new study shows that many home sellers are unrealistically optimistic, asking considerably more than they’re likely to get. As a result, they risk long delays in finding buyers, which means a lot of lost revenue while the house sits idle on the market. What’s more, homeowners who bought after the… read more →
Are you a first-time home buyer eager to get into the market? Here are a few tasks that will get you into your dream home. Check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area. Do a quick search of actual multiple listing service, or MLS, listings in your area on… read more →
Sure, you know that having bad credit can mean paying more for a car loan or a mortgage. You know that it means you can pay more to use your credit cards. But did you know that people with bad credit also pay more for their car insurance and sometimes… read more →
No one can tell you when you’re ready to become a homeowner. But it’s probably fair to say a lot of first-time buyers wish otherwise. Buying a home is often one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. It’s also among the most infrequent. Knowing you’re prepared to buy a… read more →
Congratulations! You decided to accept that new job offer in another city or finally closed on the home of your dreams. And while you’re excited about taking that next step, you’re facing a huge frustration: You need to pack all your belongings into boxes, and lug it into another home. Moving is… read more →
There is no flawless house. Each home, even a new one, has some issues. The trick is in spotting the really big ones before you sign on the dotted line. People get emotionally attached to a house before they understand what the issues are with it.Subtle signs such as tiny insect… read more →
The tight housing market has sparked the return of bidding wars and desperate buyers in certain cities and towns. While you may need to act fast to land your dream home, haste will make waste if you end up with a money pit. With that, here are five key warning… read more →
When you started researching what it takes to buy a home, you probably came face-to-face with one number over and over again: 20 percent. Traditionally, that’s how much was needed to buy a home. These days, there are a number of alternatives to the 20 percent down payment, with some… read more →
When choosing a contractor to head up your remodel, these simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence and sleepless nights. Remember that when you’re hiring a remodeler, you are buying a service and not a product. Quality of service will determine the quality of the finished project. Here… read more →
Summer signals the start of two hallowed seasons: homebuying and baseball. Like the national pastime, purchasing a home supposedly comes with its own set of “unwritten rules.” Conventional wisdom and considered opinion have long led consumers to believe you never make an offer on the first home you tour, or… read more →