Some homes are bought and sold without ever being officially listed. This word-of-mouth technique – once used mostly by the rich and famous – is gaining popularity among sellers who want to avoid the perils of a down market. “Pocket listing” means that a home is not listed in the MLS but… read more →
Love is blind but mortgage companies surely are not. This fact of life is one many newlyweds encounter when hunting for their first home and discover their cumulative credit is far from lovable. So what happens to their “American Dream” when one spouse’s credit is terrific but the other’s isn’t?… read more →
A growing segment of the housing industry is studying what in a home matters most to women. Real-estate agents, designers, marketers and researchers say some of women’s home preferences are purely functional: Moms like dining areas with easily wiped hardwood or tile floors, not carpeting, for example, and the location… read more →
With the beautiful weather our area has been seeing over the past few days, homeowners are excited to get to work on home projects. Visit the Spring Capital Home and Garden Show this weekend and get inspired. With exhibits about the latest remodeling ideas to the fresh feel of newly… read more →
According to the Census Bureau, approximately 16.7 million households move annually. The average professional household move costs a whopping $12,230, People make moves year-round, but the most popular time for moving is summer, because most families want to move when their children are out of school.You can save money if you… read more →
Written by Moira E. McLaughlin of the Washington Post: The red sign that reads “Come Unto Me” over the Central Union Mission on 14th and R streets NW is meant for the homeless men whom the shelter has been serving since 1983. But these days it seems to be calling out to… read more →
If you are buying a home, it is important for you to have a say in choosing your closing date. Selecting the right day can help you avoid spending unnecessary cash and reduce the odds that a deal-delaying mistake is made.For most buyers, a home is the most important purchase… read more →
Like the iPhone 3G, a fast closing is a thing of the past. Or is it? In today’s massively regulated, monstrously documented, down-to-the-last-decimal-point, tabulated process, you should count on your mortgage-closing timeline reaching or perhaps even exceeding two months depending on your lender and banking rules.Here are 9 bits of… read more →
Interviewing candidates serves two purposes: You get an education about your local market while learning how the agent proposes to represent you. Ask detailed questions! Here are the most-important areas to investigate: May I See Your Resume? Since you’re searching for an above-average agent, look for evidence of advanced training… read more →
With more than 1 million U.S. homes in some phase of foreclosure, great deals abound — if you know how to separate the wheat from the chaff. The No. 1 reason to buy a foreclosure is the potential for a good bargain.RealtyTrac figures show the average short sale fetched $192,129… read more →