Buying a home is a ‘purchase of a lifetime.' It’s a major financial step that requires a lot of planning and preparation. If 2021 is the year you’ll put an end to your rental days and find your dream home, here are things you can realistically start doing now to finally become a homeowner within nex

For many first time buyers, saving for a down payment is one of the most challenging steps in fulfilling their dream of purchasing a home. Oftentimes, they know they can afford their potential monthly mortgages (which could be less or equal their current rents), but the upfront costs of buying, such

Should you sell your home during the holidays?  It may not be the ideal time, but with the delay in the spring market due to COVID-19 that caused pent-up buyer demand, many people's search for their dream home continues even during this busy time of the year.  Here are three huge reasons not to wait

A multigenerational household is typically made up of aging parents, their adult children, and their teenage or young grandchildren. This setup has seen a steady rise in recent years, with over 64 million Americans living and sharing a multigenerational household, according to a 2018 Pew Research Ce

We may have been cooking more at home ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but the days leading to the Thanksgiving holiday are when most of us will spend the entire day in the kitchen preparing and cooking everything—from the glorious turkey, to potatoes, pumpkin pies, and any other side dishes an

Whether you're getting your first home loan or are re-entering the housing market after a long time, choosing a mortgage product is definitely a tricky affair. There are many factors to consider aside from your financial situation, such as the current interest rates, how long you plan to live in the

Refinancing your mortgage can help ease your financial burden and give you some breathing room. And with the current rates staying at an all-time low, it might be worthwhile to look into refinancing options so you can save money on your monthly payments.  However, one of the biggest hurdles to refin

The pandemic has changed the world in so many ways. It affects the things we do, the way we interact with each other, and even the home buying decisions we make. If you want to help your home sell quickly, make sure you're paying attention to the things that are important to buyers these days. When

Selling a home is no different from buying your first. It can be complicated, time-consuming, and emotionally challenging. There's no way you can just let go of your precious abode and easily trade your house keys for a sweet pile of money.  This is why it’s easier enough to make lots of mistakes th

The home buying process can be tricky and complex, and the last thing you'd want is to go at it alone. Your journey towards landing on your dream home can only be smooth sailing if you have an experienced and talented team of professionals to guide you in every step of the process. Even if you’re al

Would you mind buying a home near a cemetery? Or do you think it could be a “grave” mistake, especially if you're on the hunt for your first home? With roughly over 144,000 cemeteries and graveyards located in the U.S., it isn’t surprising that many of them are located close to residential neighborh

Whether you just got your house keys last week or you've lived in your home for almost 20 years, you could always sell your home whenever you want. However, experts strongly advise homeowners to follow the “five-year rule” — stay in the same home for at least five years before selling.  According to

In today's real estate market, there’s nothing more important than appealing to buyers online by showcasing your home in its best light. And thanks to technology, there’s now another great way to prepare your property for sale without the heavy lifting—virtual staging. So what is it and how does it

As you enjoy the smell and warmth of pumpkin-flavored drinks and candles, pulling up some cozy sweaters as the weather grows colder, it's also important to prepare your home for the winter or colder months to prevent any costly damage later on. Fall is the perfect time to take care of little fixes,

If you're planning to sell your home, take note that buyers aren’t the only ones who have to pay closing costs. Sellers also need to shoulder a variety of closing costs, and it’s something you need to factor into the sale price since most of it will be deducted from the profit on your home. While cl

Buying a home is exciting and challenging. You'll get to see different properties, each with its own features and personalities. But purchasing a home is also a huge financial commitment—you can’t just get carried away due to excitement at the cost of overlooking important details of the home, which

The home buying process involves a lot of decision-making. You will need to make several significant choices, and one of the major ones is whether to look for an existing home or consider buying a new construction.  Many resale homes have a lot of interesting stories to tell, while new construction

Neighborhoods, like people, have unique sets of personalities and characteristics. Whether you're planning to buy a home or considering renting for the meantime, it’s important to figure out if the neighborhood you’re considering fits your lifestyle before you make your move. This is why digging int

What is the most difficult part of buying a home? For many first-time buyers, their biggest hurdle is coming up with enough money for the down payment. In the National Association of Realtors® 2019 Profile of Home Buyers And Sellers, buyers cited that student loans, credit card debt and car loans ma

Owning your home is one of your greatest achievements. It feels great and fulfilling—until you've got a leaky faucet. Or the paint all over your walls is peeling. Or the gutters are clogged.  Doing home maintenance and repairs can be daunting. But there isn't a house with walls you never have to rep