In the process of finding a new home, your real estate agent should become your new best friend. For a few weeks or longer, you will probably talk to them more than anyone else you know! So how do you make sure you're doing your part to build a good relationship with your agent? We’ve listed eight t

Just like buying a move-in ready home, a fixer-upper has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to own a home you really love once you put some work into it, but it can also quickly swallow up your savings if you aren't prepared. Just remember to do a

Keeping up with home maintenance tasks can be daunting, especially for new homeowners. It may be hard to accept the fact that sometimes you have to cancel a weekend brunch so you can clean out the gutters and mow the lawn. While these responsibilities could be frustrating, it's what you have to do t

We often talk about starting a home improvement project, like a bathroom or kitchen remodel, because we're dissatisfied with the house and are looking for ways to make it even better. But what if the first thing that’s hindering us from appreciating our biggest investment is the enormous amount of c

The recent catastrophic wildfires in California have been beyond devastating. These violent infernos destroyed thousands of properties and structures and displaced hundreds of thousands of people living in the affected areas. But if there's one takeaway from this widespread fire damage, it’s that ho

We've helped you understand the roles of different real estate experts in previous posts. After securing everything needed for your dream home with your agent’s help, you’ll be needing a mortgage lender who will provide the mortgage loan that will be used to purchase the property. Mortgage lenders s

During the spring and summer months, bidding wars are rampant, there's fierce competition, and a large pool of buyers are looking to move before the school year begins. But in winter, especially in colder climates when everything is covered in snow, sellers and buyers alike can also take advantage o

This year, Hurricane Florence brought tragic damage to the Carolinas and the Eastern Seaboard. And like recent major storms such as Harvey and Irma, Florence has caused massive flooding throughout the region. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), no home is completely safe fro

It may seem like a nearly impossible task to get a mortgage after retirement, but there are ways you can do it even if you are not employed. If you're planning to apply for a mortgage, here are 5 common questions you might ask that we’ve answered for you: 1. What will lenders consider as my income?

How great does a mortgage payoff sound? After making your final payment, there's nothing sweeter than seeing in your account that you are already “PAID IN FULL” after a substantial period of 15 or 30 years. Congratulations! Paying off your mortgage is a huge and remarkable milestone—you now own your

If you're planning to move away from the city and live a more simple life in the country, take note that it does not come without its unique set of challenges. Here are a few tips to help you when you decide to buy a rural home. 1. Specify your needs and wants. Before you plan to buy a home in a rur

  There are several misconceptions that you might fall trap to when it comes to selling property. If you're planning to put your house in the market, make sure that you don’t make the following mistakes. Misconception #1: Organizing multiple open houses will surely bring in more buyers. Having open

The process of selling, buying, and moving into a new home can be very complicated and overwhelming. But on the lighter side, it is also a journey full of fun and exciting discoveries. Part of a homeowner's discovery and realization is finding their ideal neighborhood, their dream backyard, their pe

  Love: Offers a range of amenities and recreational areas You can have access to a range of amenities being offered by the HOA, such as swimming pools, gym or workout stations, and tennis court. There are also recreational areas for residents, like walking trails, jogging paths, playing fields, and

  Refinancing a mortgage can provide lots of advantages for homeowners. They can lock in a lower interest rate or shorten the term of their loan that can help them save thousands of dollars in their monthly mortgage payments. However, there are still lots of confusion about the refinancing process t

BuyerSeller September 30, 2018 The biggest mistake that both home buyers and sellers could make is skipping or waiving the home inspection due to various reasons, like during a bidding war. And while a home inspection contingency clause is almost always included in a purchase contract, some buyers a

When you buy a home, you don't only buy the land, the house, and any other physical structures that come with it. The most important thing is that you are also buying the legal rights of ownership to the property, which is referred to as “title.” This title is indicated in the “deed” — an official r

Whether you are a homeowner planning a major remodel or a seller preparing to put their home on the market, an important factor you have to consider is the products and materials you will use. This time, why not try to become more environmentally conscious when remodeling your home? You can incorpor

Here are five steps you must take to make sure you are ready for this hurricane season: 1. Create an evacuation plan and discuss it with your family Create an evacuation plan and discuss it with your family to make sure they know the evacuation routes and destinations. Also take note of the local em

Is this your first year filing your taxes as a homeowner? If yes, then you're in for some sweet treats. There are certain deductions you are entitled to and can take advantage of to lower your tax bill. Some of these tax breaks can be a one-time deduction or recurring on the life of your mortgage. F