You might think buying or selling on your own will save money, but it could be more costly in the long run. The proliferation of services that help homebuyers and sellers complete their own real-estate transactions is relatively recent, and it may have you wondering whether using a real-estate agent… read more →
For some home sellers, it’s been a long year without a home sale. That means some buyers, smelling the desperation, may be able to cut a better deal. Sellers who have had their homes on the market a long time are eager to move on. Other sellers will choose to let… read more →
Home prices and mortgage interest rates are rising, and people looking to buy a home for the first time are feeling the pressure. Rock-bottom inventory is fueling a run-up in home prices as interest rates rise and ratchet up pressure on buyers to act. Should you be desperate? Will prices… read more →
Many would-be sellers are struggling to make their properties stand out in today’s real-estate market. But while the economic head winds are beyond property owners’ control, you can dramatically improve your chances of making a sale by devoting attention to an often-overlooked aspect of real-estate selling: home staging. The goal of… read more →
Congratulations on moving into your new — or at least new to you — house. But now that you’ve settled in, you may have noticed some flaws that weren’t evident during the honeymoon period. Hallway floors that squeak in an annoying way, for example. Or pipes that clang, doors that… read more →
For the past two months we’ve seen about a 1,000 basis point movement for the worse in the mortgage market which is equivalent to 1% to 2% in an interest rate depending upon your credit score and the program your qualifying for. We haven’t seen activity like this for a… read more →
If you’re planning a move, the kindest thing you can do for yourself, your roommates, and your furry friends is to try to lighten up. It helps to be organized, and start early! Even if you’re also juggling finals and goodbye parties, do one moving task a day beginning up… read more →
So, you’ve found a house you like, come up with a down payment and gotten preapproved. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, if you and your agent rush through the deal without doing all the homework. Buying a house is like getting into a marriage: You must make sure there… read more →
Homeowners insurance isn’t a topic that most people like to think about. For first-time homebuyers, the prospect of adding home insurance to the other long list of costs can seem daunting. Yet homeowners’ insurance isn’t just required for your mortgage, it’s an important part of a plan to keep you… read more →
Ideally, you would sell your current home and buy your new home on the same day, moving from one mortgage to the next. While this seamless transition has worked out for some repeat homebuyers, others have managed to sell their homes and rent them back until they find a new… read more →