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.
The Covid-19 pandemic sent Americans home, not just for shelter but for work, entertainment, exercise and more. As the virus continues, will it begin to influence what your house is like? Here’s what the experts think about post-pandemic home design. Lessons from the past Homes changed after the 1918 influenza pandemic as people wanted more… Read more »
Paying property taxes is an unavoidable part of homeownership. But why are you charged these taxes, and what determines how much you pay? Here’s a brief primer on property taxes. Where does all that money go? Property taxes are sources of revenue that state and local governments use to pay for necessities we often take… Read more »
Today, huge wind farms are spreading across parts of America. How does having a wind farm next to your property affect its value? Is it cost-effective to let a wind farm be built on your land, given the subsidy you’ll receive? Let’s blow through the hot air and get to the truth. Visible and audible… Read more »
Home sales in the U.S. have confounded buyers and sellers alike for the last three years. Prices have increased by double-digit percentages, leaving would-be buyers increasingly frustrated. When will home prices normalize? Why home prices spiraled upward Several ingredients have created low supply and increased demand, which together cause rising home prices. Demographics. The millennial… Read more »
People who would never use drugs can inadvertently purchase a home where methamphetamine was produced. Meth production leaves behind a toxic residue that can cause health problems for later residents of the house and developmental deficiencies in children. Here is how to avoid buying a meth-tainted home. How to spot a meth house Fumes from… Read more »
Advancing technology has transformed home shopping. More than 80 percent of prospective buyers begin their home search online. A consumer might be tempted to “do it yourself,” buying or selling without a professional real estate agent to save on an agent’s commission. But agents provide vital services in real estate transactions. Here’s how an agent… Read more »
It comes as a severe shock to a real estate owner when a government agency takes his property from him under the principle of eminent domain. How can the government take your property against your wishes? The simple truth is that the Constitution says it can, so long as it pays you an appropriate amount…. Read more »
A growing trend with younger generations is friends buying a house together. It’s easier to buy a home if someone else is sharing the cost, but there are legal and financial realities all parties must understand and accept. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of buying a house with a friend. Millennials… Read more »
You are familiar with condominiums, but did you know there are also landominiums? What’s the difference, and what do these two forms of homeownership have in common? Here’s what you need to know before you buy. The key difference between condos and landominiums When you buy a condominium, you purchase only the living space within… Read more »
It can be tempting to tackle home remodeling projects yourself to save money, whether by doing the work subcontractors would otherwise do or by being your own general contractor and hiring subs. The question may not be, can you be your own GC, but should you? Here’s what you need to know. Benefits of do-It-yourself… Read more »
If you’re thinking of buying a condo, the condition of the building and its finances will have a direct impact on you, so it’s important to research both. Here’s what you need to know. Basic condo facts All condo buildings have a homeowners association. The owners of the building’s unit are its members, and they… Read more »
Contracting with a professional home inspector is one of the most important things a buyer can do in the run-up to closing. But though an inspection can reveal essential deficiencies you need to know about, it isn’t foolproof. Here are some critical problems a general inspection may miss and steps you can take to protect… Read more »
For much of the public, the terms “real estate agent” and “REALTOR®” are used interchangeably. In reality, they are not the same. All REALTORS® must be licensed agents, but not all licensed real estate agents are REALTORS®. What is the difference, and why is it important to you as a buyer or seller? REALTORS® are… Read more »
You’ve lived in your current home long enough to desire an updated kitchen or bathroom, a home office, or an outdoor entertainment area. It can be tough to decide whether to renovate or instead buy a new home that has the features you desire. Here’s how to determine which option is the better one for… Read more »
A growing number of products are manufactured with 3D printing, and now the technology can even build houses! Is a 3D home something you’d like to pursue? See what you think. From novelty to practicality Although 3D printing processes began receiving patents in the late 1980s, the technology has really come into its own in… Read more »
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought changes to every aspect of our lives, even where we live. More adults work from home, more children are homeschooling, and dining and entertainment have shifted outdoors. Home designs are adapting to this new normal. Watch for these trends. Productive space at home Home designs are shifting to create productive… Read more »
The current real estate market is white-hot, with many homes selling in a single day after a bidding war. A tactic some buyers use to elbow past competition is to put an expiration on their purchase offer. Does this tactic work, and under what circumstances? How offer expirations work When you make an offer to… Read more »
You’ve saved money, your family has grown and you’re thinking of buying a bigger house. Of course, it will come with bigger mortgage payments, but there are other cost increases to consider. Let’s count them to see if you are financially ready for a bigger house. Purchase and administrative costs Obviously, a bigger house comes… Read more »
Real estate sales contracts in Texas and several other states include a provision known as the active option. Also known as the option period, this provision gives the buyer a designated period to have the property inspected and decide whether to move forward with the purchase. Here’s how an active option contract works. Inspection and… Read more »
These days houses are attracting so many competing offers and selling so fast that many buyers become frustrated and fear they’ll never win a home that fits their needs. On top of that, sellers are making tough demands, refusing to accept buyer contingencies such as selling an existing house. Is there any hope for getting… Read more »
