The bidding wars are back. While not every local real-estate market is experiencing bidding wars, some homebuyers find themselves competing for houses because not many are for sale in their markets. To compete in a bidding war, buyers need to prepare financially for the home purchase. They have to be… read more →
In today’s economy, many people live paycheck to paycheck. However, if your goal is to buy a home, you need to get a better strategy. Budgeting needs to take priority. Most people need to sacrifice a little and stick to a budget in order to save for a home. A good budget plan should… 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 →
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 →
As college graduates begin to migrate from the dorms in a few short months, one item they may neglect in their move to the real world is a critical one: renters insurance. Renters insurance is an often-ignored insurance that covers everything from personal property to personal liability.If you’re renting for… 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 →
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 →
Trying to find a rental with a pet is enough to make you howl. It’s exasperating, particularly if you have a dog that’s bigger than Paris Hilton’s handbag. The knee-jerk “no pets” or “only dogs under 25 pounds” tag easily pops up on three-quarters of apartment listings. And those landlords… read more →
Being uprooted is frightening for anyone. But renters endure added stressors: They often are the last to know that a foreclosure is in the works, having paid their rent faithfully each month; and they typically are the most misinformed about their own rights, through no fault of their own. Know… read more →