The strategies and logistics of selling a second or vacation home are different from selling your primary residence. To successfully sell a vacation home, remember these key points. Hire a professional to sell a vacation home When selling a vacation home that’s far from your primary residence, it’s crucial to hire a professional real estate… Read more »
Showing your home to strangers can be a bit unnerving in the best of times. But when a serious disease is circulating, you may be worried about letting home shoppers walk through your house. Here’s how to protect yourself, your family and potential buyers when you’re selling a home during the coronavirus pandemic. Keeping your… Read more »
Once a house is under contract, the buyer typically hires an inspector to check the property’s condition. In certain situations, however, the seller should be proactive and spring for a pre listing home inspection. When is this a good idea? When you need to sell quickly A pre listing home inspection saves you time when… Read more »
Selling a home is a complicated process, especially if you are new to it. Let’s relieve any anxiety with answers to some common FAQs. Q: Do I need a real estate agent to sell my home? It may be tempting to try to sell your house yourself to save on commissions, but listing with an… Read more »
If you’ve rented a car, you’re no doubt familiar with the “loss damage waiver” car rental companies offer to relieve you of liability for damage to the vehicle in an accident. Rental truck companies also offer such coverage when you rent their vehicles for a move or to carry cargo. Insurance coverage is also available… Read more »
Sellers may want to take a hot tub with them to their next house, and buyers may want to get rid of one that came with a home they purchased. Can you safely move a hot tub yourself, or should you leave the heavy lifting to the professionals? Let’s get the job done safely without… Read more »
Selling or buying a home where construction was done without required building permits can be a prickly problem that is difficult and expensive to resolve. Here’s what to consider when a home has unpermitted space. Problems for the homeowner Homeowners may be tempted to remodel without getting a building permit and related inspections. But this… Read more »
Downsizing is the byword in the soon-to-be-retired set, shedding the outsized house for smaller, more manageable living. But before you sell your house, develop a plan and answer these questions. Where do you want to live? Even in your golden years, location is a prime consideration in owning real estate. While raising kids you wanted… Read more »
The tax advantages of buying and owning a home are well known, but what happens when you sell? Read on to learn about the tax benefit you may accrue when you sell your house. Rules affecting capital gains taxes Most tax benefits available for home sellers relate to how any profit, or capital gain, you… Read more »
If you’re in the market for a new home, should you buy a house before selling your current home? That’s a tough call. Here are some important considerations to help you come up with the answer that’s right for you. Market conditions are very important An important question to answer as you begin considering whether… Read more »
As couples watch their children leave the nest, they are increasingly “downsizing” to homes with less space, maintenance, and expense. But a new term, “resizing,” has emerged for this season of life. Resizing can be less demanding for couples and better suit their needs. Let’s retrofit our thinking about where to live once the kids… Read more »
Sometimes a seller chooses to sell a home “as is.” What does that mean? When is this a good option for the seller? Should you consider buying an “as is” home? Read on for some answers. What Does Selling “As Is” Mean? Simply put, selling a home as is means that the seller is not… Read more »
You’ve seen them as you pass houses for sale: lockboxes hanging from the front door handle or porch railing. A key inside the box enables real estate agents to get into the house to show it. You might be surprised how important a role lockboxes can play in selling your house. Here’s how. Unlocking the… Read more »
The housing market continues to improve nationally through the current crisis. Industry forecasters expect pent up demand and low supply to push home prices higher in the months to come, even at historically low mortgage interest rates. If you already own a home, you’ve got an asset with intrinsic value that is likely appreciating. Here’s… Read more »
When you buy or sell a home, the transaction is recorded by local government offices. The basic information is open to search by anyone. While some information can be found online, additional data may require a visit to the local courthouse. Information available through government offices. Public property records show the year a house was… Read more »
Home repair issues that show up on an inspection report are up for negotiation. It’s up to the buyers and sellers to hammer out an agreement on who pays for what. Here’s a guide. The inspector is your friend. Sellers often dread the inspection report, fearing it may reveal a major issue that could block… Read more »
When the kids are grown and retirement is just ahead, it’s time to make some tough choices. Should you stay in the family home or move somewhere smaller and cheaper? Organize your thinking. Break the decision down into these broad categories: family accessibility, lifestyle and financial. Look at each separately. Family accessibility. Location is key…. Read more »
When senior adults decide to sell their homes, hiring a “Certified Senior Housing Professional” can be a huge help. What exactly is a “Certified Senior Housing Professional?” Essentially, it’s a real estate agent who has undergone special training and certification in selling the homes of senior adults. They have been trained to understand the legal… Read more »
As senior adults age and give up driving, the need for alternative transportation soars. Since you can’t always rely on friends and family members, here’s a list of resources. Always keep safety and affordability in mind. Public transportation. Seniors often receive discounted fares on public bus, subway and train systems. Cities may also have mini… Read more »
For aging adults contemplating a major move, hiring a “senior move manager” might be a wise decision. A rapidly growing segment of the service industry, senior move managers are trained to help aging adults move to smaller homes or senior-care facilities. They have expert knowledge about the decisions, processes and costs of helping seniors downsize… Read more »
