Here’s our one-stop shop for everything you need to know about acquiring a home you’ll love. Browse our articles for valuable information on buying an existing home, finding new construction, or building your dream house.
Technology has accelerated the ability to have a super energy-efficient home. Here are seven must-have ways to slash your usage and cost. Cool roofing. The roof takes the brunt of the sun’s energy and absorbs heat, affecting the cooling of the whole house. Light colored roof shingles were introduced to help mitigate that heat, but… Read more »
If you’re in the market for a home with a hefty price tag — we’re talking a half-million dollars or more — it would be a good idea to study up on what’s known in the mortgage industry as a non-conforming jumbo loan. How a jumbo loan works. Homebuyers seeking a jumbo loan need to… Read more »
Giving your home a welcoming custom feel is all in the architectural details. If your house is a bit blah, the solution may be as simple as adding trim. Moldings and trims on your ceilings, walls, doors, and windows add character and value to your home. Check out these five trim options to upgrade and… Read more »
Whether you’re shopping for a new home or updating your existing property, an upgraded shower is a great way to give your bathroom a boost. These days, sought-after showers are more high-tech and bigger than ever. In fact, some homeowners forgo tubs completely in favor of these expanded, spa-like showers in their master bathrooms. Before… Read more »
When you’re shopping for a new home, many planned developments offer tempting neighborhood amenities such as swimming pools and tennis courts. But before you dive in, read about the pros and cons. Pros. Living in a neighborhood with tennis courts and a swimming pool provides easy access to leisure activities without the extra work or… Read more »
The latest buzzwords in home interiors: bright, cheery and simplified. Say “hello” to white cabinets and light gray walls and “so-long” to dark woods and moody colors. Cabinets painted in light, bright colors, often in white, are seeing a resurgence. Another popular trend is the open shelving look. Typically this look is coupled with white… Read more »
One of the big advantages to buying a newer home is the use of modern building materials that reduce — and in some cases, completely eliminate — the need for costly home repairs. Check out these advances in building materials and techniques, which are also a great choice for those with older homes facing big-ticket… Read more »
The so-called “McMansions” are out and smaller homes with open floor plans are in. Let’s take a look at who is leading the trend and four resulting benefits. Trendsetters. Empty nesters and young couples with no children and limited budgets both find smaller homes desirable. Also fueling demand for smaller houses is the trend toward… Read more »
Under certain conditions you might consider having a house picked up from its foundation and moved to another location. When would this come into play and is it economically feasible? History in the moving. The historical significance of a house often plays a major role in whether it is considered for relocation. For example, there… Read more »
With a little planning, the right materials and the help of some strong volunteers, packing up and moving your household is doable. Here are a few tips to make a DIY move go smoothly. How much truck do you need? Generally, the furniture filling a three-bedroom house with one living area and one dining area… Read more »
New is nice, but in the case of a home purchase, buyers may be tempted by what an existing house has to offer. Take a look at the pros and cons of purchasing a “used” home. Charm is priceless. Existing homes, especially those built in the 1950’s or before, often offer architectural elements, historic charm… Read more »
Whether buying a new house or an existing one, buyers typically feel more at ease having a real estate agent working on their behalf. It’s their job to make things go smoothly. Here’s how. Knowledge of builders. Real estate agents don’t just work with resale homes. Agents know the builders in a market — past… Read more »
The hunt for a new home most often begins with the answer to one simple question. Do I want to purchase an existing home or new construction? Retro and quirky versus a blank slate? Consider these eight trade-offs before making your decision. Purchase price. Statistics show that buying a new house may cost 20 percent… Read more »
Buying a historic home certainly has a coolness factor about it. You can regale your guests with stories about your home’s history and carry on the home’s legacy for future generations. But the fulfillment you get from owning a direct link to your community’s past might be overshadowed by the expense of renovating — or… Read more »
Property owners with water geographically connected to their land need to know their legal rights. The water could be a river, lake, the ocean or even the water underground. Types of water. Three basic types of water may have a connection to your property. A watercourse is any lake, river or stream. Groundwater is underneath… Read more »
In the classic 1960s sitcom, “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Jed Clampett became a millionaire when he fired his gun into the ground and struck oil. If only it were so simple. Did you know there are two types of ownership to land: surface rights and mineral rights. Let’s look at the differences and how that might… Read more »
Since square footage is directly related to the price of a home, it’s no wonder that buyers zero in on it. But just how accurate is the number advertised by a seller or real estate company? You might be surprised. Figuring out the exact square footage of a house can be tricky — a job… Read more »
Buying a home will likely be the biggest investment you ever make. So it makes sense to take the time to understand the fine print in the long and confusing real estate contract. A good agent will help guide you through the process, but save yourself time, money and anxiety by knowing these key terms… Read more »
In large multi-story houses, more than one staircase may exist. Attic stairs are common and some houses may even have an outside staircase for renters or a back set of steps as an entry to upstairs playrooms. Let’s go exploring up one staircase and down another. A showcase. The main (or only) staircase in a… Read more »
If your dream home is a fixer-upper, but cash is tight, a 203 (k) program offered by the Federal Housing Administration could make ownership a reality. Known as FHA Section 203(k) insurance, the program allows buyers to finance the purchase of a distressed property and the cost of renovations through a single loan with one… Read more »
