Real estate

10 cheap, easy ways to stage your home for sale

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You’ve decided to sell your home, and you want to get top dollar for it. That means you need to stage your home for sale — in other words, prep your house so it looks more appealing to potential buyers. You’ve seen the TV shows where homeowners spend thousands of dollars to bring in new furniture … [Read more...] about 10 cheap, easy ways to stage your home for sale

12 fixes that will get you a higher price for your house

If you’re looking to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, there are some lesser-known words that match the importance of the famous real estate phrase "location, location, location."Those all-important words? Curb appeal.As the saying goes, "You don’t get a second chance to make a … [Read more...] about 12 fixes that will get you a higher price for your house

17 home renovations that add value to your house

Even if you’re not planning to sell your home any time soon, when you consider remodeling, you face this inevitable question: How much will this improvement add to the value of my home?Surprisingly, much of the time the answer is not as much as it costs to make the improvement.But some … [Read more...] about 17 home renovations that add value to your house

Should you renovate your house or buy a new one?

Most families at some point reach a difficult real estate crossroads: Do they renovate an existing home to fit their current needs, or do they go out and buy another house that’s already the way they like it?This is a question with no one-size-fits-all answer, although most families can make the … [Read more...] about Should you renovate your house or buy a new one?

How to find a reliable, honest home contractor

For most homeowners, the hardest part of any home renovation project isn’t the work itself, it’s finding a competent and reliable contractor to do the job. Installing kitchen cabinets, knocking down a wall or tiling the bathroom is simple compared with the struggle of hiring a quality contractor who … [Read more...] about How to find a reliable, honest home contractor

How to create your own retirement community

A few years ago, Marianne Kilkenny’s elderly parents moved into an assisted living community. That got her thinking about her own plans because she didn’t want to end up in a similar community or a facility run by a company.Kilkenny, 65, the founder of Women For Living in Community, is among a … [Read more...] about How to create your own retirement community

How to get a good deal on renting your first apartment

Striking out on your own for the first time can be exciting, but the whole thing can be daunting. Today's renters face a different housing world than their parents did at the same age. Almost one in four millennials say they expect to rent forever, according to research by Apartment List, an … [Read more...] about How to get a good deal on renting your first apartment

12 tips for buying your first house

For first-time homebuyers, the whole homebuying process may look a bit daunting. You’re going into what could be the biggest purchase of your life with no experience to fall back on. The good news is a little preparation can go a long way and help you approach this major decision with … [Read more...] about 12 tips for buying your first house

Should you pay off your mortgage?

One of the more hotly debated issues in personal finance is whether you should pay off your mortgage early. As with most things, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Here are a few questions to guide you:1. Are you receiving a tax deduction? Although everyone assumes that they are getting a … [Read more...] about Should you pay off your mortgage?

6 real lessons from HGTV’s ‘House Hunters’

The revelation that would-be home buyers on HGTV's popular "House Hunters" program may be looking at homes that aren't even for sale has caused a stir. But even if "House Hunters" is, in part, fake, there are some real lessons home buyers should take from the show. We're not saying that the … [Read more...] about 6 real lessons from HGTV’s ‘House Hunters’

How to avoid HOA battles that cost time, money and energy

If you buy a condominium, townhouse or single-family home in a newer development, you’re likely to become a member of a community association.More than 50 percent of American homeowners live in a community governed by a condo association, homeowners association or co-op board, according to … [Read more...] about How to avoid HOA battles that cost time, money and energy

How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house

The old saying is that in real estate, everything is negotiable. But is it really? When you go to buy a house, you’re certainly hoping to get the best price and terms. To do that, you need to know when to start negotiating and when to stop. That begins with being familiar with the market, down to … [Read more...] about How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house

What to look for in a starter home

You’ve dreamed for years of buying your first home, and now it’s time. You’ve created Pinterest boards dotted with photos of beautiful home decor, watched all the episodes of HGTV’s “House Hunters” and spent hours trolling listings online. You know exactly what you want.But have you done … [Read more...] about What to look for in a starter home

5 things renters should negotiate before signing a lease

This post is by Catey Hill of Zillow.com.While many people fear negotiating with landlords, car dealers or salesmen, finding the courage to negotiate up front can save time, money and a lot of hassle down the road. For most people, housing is the largest monthly bill they pay, whether that’s … [Read more...] about 5 things renters should negotiate before signing a lease

How to find the best home inspector

Before you buy a home, it’s always a good idea to get a professional home inspection. In most cases, you can make your purchase contract contingent on a satisfactory inspection. That means if you don’t like the inspection results, you can cancel the contract, get your deposit back and walk away from … [Read more...] about How to find the best home inspector

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