By: BRITTANY ANAS with ApartmentTherapy.com You’ve got your mind set on buying a home. Maybe you’re playing a long game, slowly but steadily building up that “down payment” savings fund. Or perhaps you’re hoping to be moved in and settled by the start of the new year. Wherever you are in your homebuying journey, experts say […]
By Cathie Ericson with Realtor.com While most home buyers spend their time at an open house simply checking out the layout of the rooms and the name brands on the kitchen appliances, smart buyers know what’s really important to look for when buying a home. In competitive markets, you’ll often walk into an open house that has been deep-cleaned, […]
Mortgage rates are one of several factors that impact how much you can afford if you’re buying a home. When rates are low, they help you get more house for your money. Within the last year, mortgage rates have hit the lowest point ever recorded, and they’ve hovered in the historic-low territory. But even over the past […]
The rise in remote work is changing what many Americans want in their homes. Many companies are choosing to delay reopening or go remote full-time, and today’s buyers are looking for homes with more space to support their work needs. As a seller, if you no longer need the extra room you have in your home, rest assured […]
HOUSING MARKET FORECAST Whether it’s home prices, mortgage rates or inventory, your clients are probably asking a lot of questions about what to expect in the next couple of months. Here’s what experts are saying about what’s going to happen with real estate for the rest of 2021. Interest rates are rising but projected to […]
Buyers in today’s market often have questions about the importance of getting a home appraisal and an inspection. That’s because high buyer demand and low housing supply are driving intense competition and leading some buyers to consider waiving those contingencies to stand out in the crowded market. But is that the best move? Buying a home is […]
It’s impossible to research the subject of buying a home without coming across a headline declaring that the fall in home affordability is a crisis. However, when we add context to the most recent affordability statistics, we soon realize that, though homes are less affordable than they have been over the last few years, they are more affordable than […]
If you’re looking to buy or sell a house, chances are you’ve heard talk about today’s rising home prices. And while this increase in home values is great news for sellers, you may be wondering what the future holds. Will prices continue to rise with time, or should you expect them to fall? To answer that […]
by SARAH KUTA with ApartmentTherapy.com If you’ve been waiting (somewhat) patiently on the homebuying sidelines, refreshing Zillow every few minutes and resisting the urge to email your real estate agent three times a day to see if there are any new houses for sale in your price range, you’re not alone. With soaring prices and […]
Here’s a comprehensive home maintenance checklist that can help you stay on top of repairs in the new year from American Home Shield. Monthly Home Maintenance and Repairs There are lots of home repairs and maintenance chores that need to be done monthly. Staying on top of the following will help you save money in […]
By Margaret Heidenry with Realtor.com ow much does it cost to build a house? Is it cheaper to build or buy a house? The median price of constructing a single-family home is $296,652. That’s for an average-sized house of 2,594 square feet, which boils down to $115 per square foot. Because of COVID-19, however, Americans […]
The average cost of a home inspection is $340, with costs ranging from $200 to $500. Home Inspection Cost Average Cost $340 Highest Cost $500 Lowest Cost $200 What Is a Home Inspection? A home inspection is a thorough examination of the condition of a home. With a systematic approach, a professional home inspector will evaluate the […]
Published by Realtor Magazine Government-backed loans can offer lower down payment requirements and help some aspiring buyers purchase a home. But these loans often come with several extra requirements that may slow the process and put some at a disadvantage in a fast-paced offer situation. Eighty-nine percent of sellers would be likely to accept an […]
Published by Realtor Magazine Home buyers are paying more in closing costs, but it’s mostly because they’re paying more to buy a home. Lenders are actually holding their closing costs down, a new report shows. National average closing costs for single-family properties was $6,837 including taxes, and $3,836 excluding taxes, for the first half of […]