Green Residential
One of the biggest issues people have with renting is they’re throwing money down the drain when they could be building equity. And while this is true, don’t assume that home ownership is an easy ride. As a homeowner, you face several unique expenses. Over time, these can really start to add up…. [Read More]
When it comes to real estate negotiations, nothing is more important than leverage. The individual with the leverage is the individual who will ultimately come away with a more favorable outcome (assuming they’re able to couple the leverage with patience).
From a buyer’s perspective, nothing gives you more leverage than knowing that a seller is motivated to unload their house. The question is, how can you tell if a seller is motivated?… [Read More]
It’s often said that home ownership is the essence of the American Dream. But if there’s one thing that goes beyond mere ownership — that cuts to the heart of what it means to be an American — it’s being able to purchase your own undeveloped plot of land and build a custom home on the property…. [Read More]
As the saying goes, “The only constant is change.” This maxim definitely holds true in the arena of real estate and home design.
Interior design and architectural trends come and go fairly swiftly, which can leave your home looking outdated in a depressingly short time. Fortunately, modernizing a dated-looking structure doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming…. [Read More]
A lot of different factors go into the purchase of a home. They include location, style, square footage, school zoning, and neighborhoods.
But the most important facet of the home search — and of home ownership in general — is the financial aspect. When you’re buying a house, you need to be ready to meet both present and future costs…. [Read More]
It takes a homebuyer less than three minutes to form a first impression of your house. This is about the amount of time it takes them to get out of their car, walk across the driveway, open the door, and begin looking around the main living areas. If you want to increase your chances of leaving a positive first impression and getting a full-price offer, you need to pay careful attention to the image you’re conveying…. [Read More]
When you got married and purchased your first home with your spouse, you probably didn’t scrutinize every little detail. You were just excited to call something your own, so the fact that it was a starter house with little quirks didn’t matter. You knew you’d be moving on in a handful of years.
Well, now the time that you anticipated has come. You have a young family and you’re busting at the seams in your current home. Not only is it time to upgrade your house, but you also want to find a good neighborhood where your family can grow and thrive for many years to come. And because you plan on being in this house indefinitely, you want to make sure everything is perfect…. [Read More]
When you purchase a home and sign the documents at the closing table, you walk away feeling a great sense of relief. The search is over and you finally “own” a home. But want to know a dirty little secret? You don’t really own the home. Sure, your name is on the title, but you don’t actually have possession of the title. And until you pay off the outstanding amount on the loan, you won’t get the title. Miss a couple of payments and the bank – which technically has possession of the house – will take “your” property and liquidate it via foreclosure…. [Read More]
Both first-time homebuyers and veteran real-estate investors should do a thorough home inspection before the purchase of a property. A bank doesn’t care how good the home looks on the surface; it needs to see a firm structure and foundation before it will offer funding.
The bank wants to protect its investment and incidentally save you from purchasing a total money pit that will be time-consuming and costly to maintain. You should never purchase a home without ordering an inspection…. [Read More]
Television shows like Flip or Flop and Fixer Upper make it look easy to find an outdated, low-priced home and transform it into an incredible property that nearly doubles in value. The reality for most home flippers is a little different. It takes time, money, and expertise to flip a property, and most first-time flippers flounder as they try to regain control of their projects.
The road to a successful house flip is riddled with ups and downs. If you’re prepared with the right tools and knowledge during your house flipping journey, you’ll be much better off…. [Read More]