Navigating the world of homeownership can be overwhelming, especially with all the acronyms associated with federal programs designed to assist buyers and homeowners. You may have heard terms like HUD, HAMP, and HARP tossed around, and it’s easy... (Read More)

For years, the conventional wisdom in real estate was to start with an older, more affordable house as your 'starter home.' The idea was to build equity in a less expensive property and then trade up to a more expensive home later. However, with the... (Read More)

There is no doubt first homes hold sentimental value. After all, they may be the place where you first moved in as a couple. Your first home may have been the result of your first big promotion at work. Your firstborn may have taken his or her first... (Read More)

Remember that sinking feeling of handing over your report card to your parents, knowing it wasn’t going to be good? You might have sat there hoping your grades would magically improve before they saw them—but they didn’t, and you had to... (Read More)

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. In the competitive real estate market, standing out from the crowd is not just a nice-to-have—it's a must. One often underutilized trick for instantly boosting the... (Read More)

Shopping for a home is exciting, but it can definitely be more stressful than, say, grocery shopping. When buying a house, you may have a "grocery list" of things you think you need. But unlike a trip to the store, chances are high that you will... (Read More)

Are you getting ready to list your home? You've probably thought about a half-dozen ways to make the inside look immaculate. You may have even looked up an amazing recipe for chocolate cookies, hoping to make the house feel more like home for... (Read More)

When purchasing a home, your mortgage prequalification is based on your current financial situation. In the period between being prequalified and closing on your home loan, you don't want your financial situation to change much. Luckily, many of the... (Read More)

Buying a home is usually one of the most significant long-term financial decisions a person makes. Most mortgages are fifteen years or more, so it's a decades-long commitment for the majority of people. Yet, when it's time to start considering... (Read More)

As it gets easier to research the real estate market on the Internet, taking a "do-it-yourself" approach to buying a home may seem tempting. But consider this: The fact that there is more information about real estate than ever online doesn't... (Read More)