The last two years have been the strangest on record for the housing industry. An unprecedented housing boom increased throughout the 1990s and continued into the new millennium, thanks to relaxed credit standards, sinking interest rates, low unemployment and an insufficient housing supply. But signs now point to the impending end of the boom. Home […]
On top of the long list of items to do when buying or selling a house is the home inspection. But what is involved? How much does it cost? Why is it done in the first place? It’s important to understand what a home inspection entails and how it affects the sale of your home […]
The top ten remodeling projects undertaken to increase your home’s value and what percentage of your remodeling investment is recouped at resale are: Minor kitchen remodel (88%) Bathroom remodel (85%) Major kitchen remodel (81%) Family room addition (80%) Deck addition (77%) Master suite (75%) Attic bedroom (74%) Siding replacement (73%) Window replacement (69%) Home office […]
If you’re looking on ways to use your home’s equity you can always refinance it. In essence, this is a way of paying off your current mortgage and getting cash out based on how much equity (the difference between the market value of your home and what you owe on it) you have in your […]
When you’re ready to move, figuring out what to do with your house is a big decision. And today, more homeowners are considering renting their home instead of selling it. Recent surveys show about two-thirds of sellers thought about renting their home before listing, with nearly a third taking that possibility seriously. Compared to 2021, […]
Appraisers take into account many factors when determining the worth of a home. While some of these, such as location, can’t be helped, there are things a homeowner can do to ensure that the home is appraised for maximum value. Some things do impact a home’s value more than others; the bottom line is that […]
It may seem that homebuyers and sellers don’t agree on much, but they share one important concern: that the transaction is successful. This comradery is never more evident than during the appraisal process. It’s only natural, since the results of the appraisal can send the deal spiraling out of control. It’s largely based on the […]
If prospective buyers walk into your house greeted by the smell of cat litter, cigarette smoke, mildew or pet accidents, there is little chance that even a reduced sales price will persuade them to buy. So the first thing to do is: Clean, clean, clean. This includes walls, floors, inside closets and cabinets – everything. […]
Closing costs vary wildly and depend on the type of loan, the amount of the down payment, and a host of other factors. Unfortunately, this lack of information frequently causes real estate deals to disintegrate. To avoid this particular problem, pay attention to all communications from your lender. First, you will receive a form called […]
The real estate industry does a great job of reminding homebuyers that they’ll need a down payment – typically from 3 percent to 20 percent of the total loan amount – when they purchase a home. What they often fail to inform real estate consumers about are the loan’s closing costs – the money you […]
