Each decade has had its share of questionable home design, from the extensive wood paneling and Harvest Gold appliances of the 1970s to the next decade’s overuse of glass blocks, vertical blinds and country-style decor. Some of these serve as powerful buyer-repellant; others just ding the price, as people figure… read more →
The competition for rental homes is heating up as more Americans choose to rent instead of buy. That increase in demand is driving up rents in some markets. Consider these eye-opening statistics: 25% of renters spend more than half of their income on rent and utilities, according to a recent… read more →
You don’t have to pay full price for your home insurance. There are lots of discounts you may be eligible for, including some very basic ones, and all you have to do is ask. Insurance companies try to provide an opportunity for customers to lower their premiums. Getting cheap home… read more →
More money-flush homebuyers are plunking down cash for their properties, and they’re reaping a bevy of benefits that come with cutting lenders out of the buying equation. Sure, mortgage rates are low and enticing, but they can trigger red-tape migraines. At the closing table, more buyers are paying in green –… read more →
A professional home inspector will go from room to room testing the heating, air-conditioning, plumbing, electrical, appliances and smoke detectors. He or she will also evaluate the structure, roof, interior and exterior of the home. What the home inspector finds to be positive and negative about the home will greatly… read more →
Living alone? You trendsetter, you. The Census says 33 million of us live solo. That’s a quarter of American households, according to the National Association of Realtors. The popularization of the solo life — in 1970, one-person households comprised just 17% of all households — is a historic change in human… read more →
Sometimes a walk through your garden can instill a sense of calm. Picking dead floers from plants, rearranging pots, repositioning a small seating area offer ways to putter in your garden and revamp its style. Here are 5 ideas to de clutter your garden space and create a more inviting… read more →
A home is one of the most valuable assets most people will ever own. Unfortunately, some major perils can befall a house and put a serious dent in the value of that asset. Many of these perils are much more insidious than a fire or natural disaster. Read on to… read more →
For many couples, it makes sense to buy a home before tying the knot. It’s a decision more couples are now making. A recent survey found that 1 in 4 married couples between the ages of 18 and 34 purchased a first home together before marriage. The trend follows the increase in… read more →
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 →