Space it Out Across 23 Little Steps… Preparing for an open house is like throwing a party for a bunch of guests you won’t get to meet. It’s stressful…and a little weird. But if you decide to host one, be aware that buyers will come into your home with steep expectations.“30 years ago when I … Read More “How to Get Ready for Your Open House” »
Category: Real Estate News & Tips
Did you know that you can get a tax break for buying a house, as well as for many of the ongoing expenses of homeownership? You could stand to save thousands of dollars at tax time, but first you have to know which of your expenses qualify and whether you want to itemize your deductions … Read More “Can I Get a Tax Break for Buying a House?” »
Some garden trends—like manicured lawns, rows of evergreens, and enchanting cottage gardens—will never go out of style. But sometimes we want to branch outside of traditional landscaping ideas, try something different, and create a beautiful space in our yard to better suit our lifestyles. Turns out, we’re not the only ones who feel this way: Katie … Read More “6 Garden Trends That Will Be Huge in 2023, According to Experts” »
Family photos, fresh bed sheets, and a fridge full of food are among the things which most help a house feel like a home. A study of 2,000 homeowners has revealed what transforms four walls into a homely space, with their own bed topping the list according to 65 percent. Similarly, having a ‘space’ on … Read More “Research reveals top 40 things that make a house a home” »
There may come a point during retirement when you decide that you’re ready for a change of scenery or pace. Maybe you’re hoping to seek out a warmer climate. Maybe you want access to more entertainment than what your sleepy town currently gives you. Or maybe you want to move closer to a family because … Read More “Thinking of Relocating as a Retiree in 2023? 3 Points to Consider” »
Buying a house—in any market—is a highly personal decision. Because homes represent the largest single purchase most people will make in their lifetime, it’s crucial to be in a solid financial position before diving in. Use a mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly housing costs based on your down payment and interest rate. Trying to predict what … Read More “Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait Until 2023?” »
Buying a home is a significant financial commitment, regardless of the market conditions. But after a record-setting rise in home prices in 2021 and 2022, and mortgage interest rates rising to the highest mark in two decades, there are a few things for prospective homebuyers to keep in mind for 2023. While the housing market … Read More “What to Expect When Buying a House in 2023” »
There’s nothing a credit repair service can legally do for you—even removing wrong information—that you can’t do for yourself for little or no expense. And the cost of hiring such a company can be considerable, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. While it can be tempting to offload the work of fixing your credit … Read More “Credit Repair: How to “Fix” Your Credit Yourself” »
What Is a Credit Score? A credit score is a number from 300 to 850 that rates a consumer’s creditworthiness. The higher the score, the better a borrower looks to potential lenders. A credit score is based on credit history: number of open accounts, total levels of debt, repayment history, and other factors. Lenders use credit scores to evaluate the probability … Read More “Credit Score: Definition, Factors, and Improving It” »
When the weather outside is frightful, trudging door to door to look at houses might seem like a fool’s errand. Everybody knows spring and summer are the home-buying seasons, and winter is the time when you—and sellers—cool it for a bit and take a break, right? While it’s true that things do slow down in the winter, that’s not … Read More “6 Reasons Why Winter Is Actually the Most Chill Time to Buy a Home” »