Don't Make These 7 Mistakes When You Buy Your First Home
It's easy to fall in love with your dream house (and the idea of finally buying one)! However, your judgment may be easily clouded when you are enamored with an amazing home and feeling the pressure to pull the trigger. Stakes are high when you’re purchasing a house, so here’s a ...
Notice Of Intent to Foreclose: Know Your Options
As a homeowner, there's an f-word that is avoided as much as possible. Even though we don’t want to say it we have to talk about it. Why? Because like most problems, that’s how it’s handled. So say it with us, foreclosure.Most of the time, when people find out that their ...
5 Ways To Look For A Great School District When Buying A Home
Proximity to good quality schools is one of the most important factors considered when purchasing a home, especially for young families or young couples who are planning to have children. Homes that are located near top-quality school districts generally have higher property values and huge ...
7 Reasons You'll Love Selling Your Home in the Spring
Ah, spring! When the trees blossom, the lovely tulips and daffodils bloom, and everyone's mood brightens. But aside from our daily dose of sunshine during spring, we also see the high season for real estate. As the temperature rises, the housing market starts to heat up.  Even in areas ...
How To Find The Best Agent For A Short Sale
A short sale transaction is different from the usual home buying process. It involves more waiting time, and more leg work for your agent. Due to the rise of short sale properties on the market, training companies see it as an opportunity to train agents specifically in this area, giving them ...
Tips On Setting A Home Renovation Budget
When a homeowner starts to consider a home renovation, it's easy to grow overwhelmed, because it seems like such a monumental task. Perhaps this comes from the notion that all makeovers have to big, bold, and new. Think shows like “Extreme Makeover” and “House ...
8 Home Buyer Practices That Your Agent Wants you to Change
In the process of finding a new home, your real estate agent should become your new best friend. For a few weeks or longer, you will probably talk to them more than anyone else you know! So how do you make sure you're doing your part to build a good relationship with your agent?We’ve ...
Before You Buy A Fixer-Upper, Answer These Questions First!
Just like buying a move-in ready home, a fixer-upper has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to own a home you really love once you put some work into it, but it can also quickly swallow up your savings if you aren't prepared. Just remember ...
The Annual Home Maintenance Checklist: A Guide For New Homeowners
Keeping up with home maintenance tasks can be daunting, especially for new homeowners. It may be hard to accept the fact that sometimes you have to cancel a weekend brunch so you can clean out the gutters and mow the lawn. While these responsibilities could be frustrating, it's what you have ...
The 7-Step Decluttering Guide to Organizing Your Home this New Year
We often talk about starting a home improvement project, like a bathroom or kitchen remodel, because we're dissatisfied with the house and are looking for ways to make it even better. But what if the first thing that’s hindering us from appreciating our biggest investment is the enormous ...
Understanding Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy in Case of a Wildfire
The recent catastrophic wildfires in California have been beyond devastating. These violent infernos destroyed thousands of properties and structures and displaced hundreds of thousands of people living in the affected areas. But if there's one takeaway from this widespread fire damage, ...
Getting A Mortgage After Retirement
It may seem like a nearly impossible task to get a mortgage after retirement, but there are ways you can do it even if you are not employed. If you're planning to apply for a mortgage, here are 5 common questions you might ask that we’ve answered for you: ...
Here's What Life Is Like After Paying Off Your Mortgage
How great does a mortgage payoff sound? After making your final payment, there's nothing sweeter than seeing in your account that you are already “PAID IN FULL” after a substantial period of 15 or 30 years. Congratulations! Paying off your mortgage is a huge and remarkable ...
Top Things You Should Do Before Buying A Rural Home
If you're planning to move away from the city and live a more simple life in the country, take note that it does not come without its unique set of challenges. Here are a few tips to help you when you decide to buy a rural home. ...
8 Of The Most Unexpected Things US Homeowners Found In Their Properties
The process of selling, buying, and moving into a new home can be very complicated and overwhelming. But on the lighter side, it is also a journey full of fun and exciting discoveries. Part of a homeowner's discovery and realization is finding their ideal neighborhood, their dream backyard, ...