There are unmistakably unique allures built into every newly constructed home: the window for personal customization sits open, wide as it ever will. A bevy of brand new appliances, amenities and of-the-moment upgrades come ready for you and your family to experience. Lest we forget the most fun

Do you find yourself attending open houses or looking in the classified ads when you're thinking of upgrading to a new house? You might even have a real estate agent's number handy so you could have them show you new homes. But have you ever considered checking on foreclosure listings? Rather th

Owning a house and having good credit at the same time? In this economy? What if we tell you it's possible? It’s common for young people—those who are below 35 years old (also known as millennials)—to complain about not having money. And typically, they attribute their woes to a poor economy. Wh

Why do home sales fall through? Why is it that sometimes, the buyer or the seller walk away from a home sale, causing it to fall apart and for the home to return to the market? Let's rewind: You’ve put your home on the market and have been doing everything to prepare your home f

What's the biggest barrier to purchasing a home that requires a mortgage? For millions of college graduates — both older and younger millennials — it isn’t their credit card debt. Rather, it’s their student loans that are preventing them from fulfilling their dream of homeownership. To explain i

It's easy to fall in love with your dream house (and the idea of finally buying one)! However, your judgment may be easily clouded when you are enamored with an amazing home and feeling the pressure to pull the trigger. Stakes are high when you’re purchasing a house, so here’s a list of major mi

As a homeowner, there's an f-word that is avoided as much as possible. Even though we don’t want to say it we have to talk about it. Why? Because like most problems, that’s how it’s handled. So say it with us, foreclosure. Most of the time, when people find out that their dream house is facing f

Proximity to good quality schools is one of the most important factors considered when purchasing a home, especially for young families or young couples who are planning to have children. Homes that are located near top-quality school districts generally have higher property values and huge resa

Ah, spring! When the trees blossom, the lovely tulips and daffodils bloom, and everyone's mood brightens. But aside from our daily dose of sunshine during spring, we also see the high season for real estate. As the temperature rises, the housing market starts to heat up.  Even in areas where the

A short sale transaction is different from the usual home buying process. It involves more waiting time, and more leg work for your agent. Due to the rise of short sale properties on the market, training companies see it as an opportunity to train agents specifically in this area, giving them ce

Ugh, bidding wars. They can be nasty, nerve-wracking, and even heart-breaking. Nowadays, most real estate markets present buyers with huge challenges, due to high demand coupled with low housing inventory. Oftentimes, bidding wars become the rule, especially in a seller's market. Buyers who run

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 ei

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

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.

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

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 c

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

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, thei

  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,

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 co