Homeowners in cold-weather climates—such as the Northeast, Midwest, and mountain areas—face icy conditions, blizzards and other cold-weather storms. Beyond requiring a quick trip to the convenience store for milk and bread, severe cold weather can threaten your home’s structure and your safety. Therefore, it’s important to take measures and invest in… read more →
When involved in the sale of a home, it’s crucial for the buyer and seller to understand the details of the real estate contract before it’s signed and, in particular, to recognize the points at which the contract can be cancelled without penalty. A real estate contract, once signed by… read more →
When you apply for a loan,you need to submit a ton of documentation and answer a bunch of questions from your lender. Turning over all this information about your personal finances and financial history may seem intrusive, but it makes sense: The lender needs to gather all the information they can to decide on the… read more →
A small number of for-sale listings in many U.S. housing markets is contributing to appraisal problems for some home buyers. Bidding wars between eager buyers have become the norm over the past couple of years in markets with limited inventory, real-estate agents say. That’s one reason that 13% of existing… read more →
If you’re planning a move,you may have an overwhelming urge to throw all your possessions into cardboard boxe,s tape them shut and think, “I’ll deal with this after moving!” We get it. But before you start dumping drawers into boxes willy-nilly, we implore you: Declutter first! There’s no better time to get… read more →
It’s closing time: Last call for every entity with even a small role in a home sale to collect their fees. Home buyers—eager to get the keys to their new place—must first cover myriad costs, including agent commissions, attorney fees, lender fees, mortgage insurance, a title search, recording fees, real-estate… read more →
While many of us would be fearful of repairing a roof or installing an electrical outlet, there are plenty of things that the average homeowner can—and should—know how to do. Here are five projects that will boost your handyman (or handywoman) confidence and save you money by not having to… read more →
Although the holiday time can be a hectic season for showing and selling your home there is a major advantage to staging and showing your home at this time of year: You have a chance to show your home at its very best, adorned with warmth and cheer that’s sure to charm. Nothing is… read more →
There comes a time in nearly every homeowner’s life when the inevitable happens– you run out of space to store your belongings. Whether’s it’s an overstuffed garage or a bursting-at-the-seams attic, eventually the limit is reached. That’s when it’s time to make a decision, either a massive decluttering or a trip… read more →
What will you do when you get a formal notice to buy your house from the Maryland Transit Administration, because it is in the path of the proposed Purple Line light-rail project? Does the government have a right to take your property? What rights do you have? Do you have… read more →