Here’s the dirty little secret about home renovations: Some of them may not pay off. Of course, the value of a renovation doesn’t depend on the resale price alone, which makes deciding whether to do one more complicated than just crunching numbers. For anyone trying to decide whether to take on… read more →
Death isn’t on the minds of most homeowners on closing day, because we all live forever, right? Unfortunately, no. Let’s face it: it’s really never too early to consider what happens to your mortgage should you pass away. The financial obligation of a home loan does linger after death. There’s… read more →
The home-improvement shows you see on TV make it look so easy. Buy a complete dump of a house with “good bones,” and presto change-o, turn it into your dream home. The reality, however, is that buying a fixer-upper is some serious work. One option is to hire someone to… read more →
You’ve decided to sell your home, and you want to get top dollar for it. And you’ve seen TV shows where homeowners spend thousands of dollars staging their homes for sale, but there’s an important detail to consider: You don’t have thousands and thousands to spend. The good news is… read more →
To many buyers, a house that’s been on the market a long time must have hidden problems. And that could lead to unnecessary and endless price reductions. Luckily, even in a distressed market, there are ways to prevent roots from sprouting under the ‘for sale’ sign. Leave it to the… 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 →
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 →
Buyers have the upper hand when purchasing a home in a down market. Sellers need to make the best possible impression to appeal to these picky buyers. When possible, sellers should avoid making changes that will devalue their home or cause buyers to pass on purchasing it.Before you decide to… 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 →
Even in these days of economic uncertainty, we’d all like some luxuries in our lives. Sure, a home addition or kitchen renovation would be nice, but there are plenty of low-cost changes you can make to upgrade your home without spending a small fortune. Adding in little touches here and… read more →