How to find exactly what you want, and how to work with the experts who’ll help you get it. So you’re thinking about buying your first home. Your very own house (and mortgage). A place to call — and make — your own. It’s a big move, literally and figuratively. Buying a house requires a serious amount of money and time. The journey isn’t always easy. It isn’t always intuitive. But when you get...
Real Estate
Smooth the road to your new home with the right support...
Close the chapter (lovingly) on your old home with the right support system. The home selling process can seem like a Herculean job. But your agent and the rest of your expert and emotional support network will help you deal. Here’s your birds-eye view of the 11 main steps to selling a house. Step 1: Decide to sell your house. Step 2: Research the market. Step 3: Select an...
It’s fun! It’s exciting! It’s important to take everything with a grain of salt!Oh, let’s just admit it, shall we? Browsing for homes online is a window shopper’s Shangri-La. The elegantly decorated rooms, the sculpted gardens, the colorful front doors that just pop with those “come hither” hues.Browser beware, though: Those listings may be seductive, but they might not be giving you the...
Being a good partner to the agent you pick will make you both happier house hunters When you buy a home, your agent is effectively a business partner. You’re both working toward the same goal: Closing a real estate deal. That’s why it’s in your best interest to to know both how to hire a real estate agent and how to build a good relationship with them. Because the better an ally you are, the...
Our winterizing your home checklist will help you keep your house cozy and safe from winter’s frigid assault.Preparing your house for winter may not be on the top of your to-do list right now. After all, most of us wouldn’t rather spend their down time doing home maintenance tasks when they could be enjoying the fall foliage, going apple picking, or sipping pumpkin-spiced lattes instead of winterizing...
A door snake is one of the quickest insulation tips. It only takes a few seconds.A little bit of DIY home insulation can protect you from a drafty house and a scary energy bill. You can lower your heating and cooling costs by as much as 20% if you plug all the places drafts are sneaking in.Though most people ask a pro to do the big job of insulating walls and ceilings, here are some quick insulation tips...
With these tips and tricks, your house will be swoon-worthy in no time.Editor’s Note: As restrictions related to Covid-19 begin easing up, the National Association of REALTORS® is encouraging virtual home showings, regardless of whether in-person showings are allowed by states or local communities.If you’re considering holding an open house, your agent will have an honest conversation with you about...
Here’s what you can do to get your home ready for its big reveal.Few things, other than collecting the keys, get buyers more excited than seeing homes.Showings and open houses are the chance to make someone fall heads over heels, just as you did when you first bought the home. Work with your agent to make sure your showings and opens are a massive hit. These days, your agent will conduct in-person...
Here’s how to price your home to sell fast.Your home is more than just a bunch of rooms under a roof. It’s the space where you watched your daughter take her first steps, hosted Super Bowl parties, and celebrated holidays. Those memories are priceless. But when sell your house, the warm and fuzzies can't factor into the question: What is the value of my home?You aren’t selling your memories;...
It’s a big decision with a lot of factors, but don’t worry — you have backup.Everything has value. Especially your home.And when it comes to selling your home, assigning a price to that value is complicated. You made memories there. You’ve got a major financial interest in the place, too.Buyers think of value, but they’re more concerned with price. And your home’s price is one of its most...
The most critical things to do to increase your home’s value before putting it on the market.As a smart seller, you'll want your home in tip-top shape — but you don't want to eat into your profits by overspending on home improvements. You won't be around to enjoy them anyway. The key is to focus on the most important repairs to make before selling a house to ensure every dollar you spend supports a...