Blog
The Real Estate Glossary
Need a crash course on real estate terms? This glossary will get you started. DTI, PMI, LTV … TBH, it can be hard to keep all this stuff straight. This lexicon of real estate terms and acronyms will help you speak the language like a pro. Appraisal management company (AMC): An institution operated independently of... Read More
Buying a Home? Plan for These Hidden Costs
You’re excited because you just found the perfect home. The neighborhood is great, the house is charming and the price is right. But the asking price is just the beginning. Be prepared for additional — and often unexpected — home-buying costs that can catch buyers unaware and quickly leave you underwater on your new home.... Read More
Don’t Believe These 5 Myths About Real Estate Agents
Buyers and sellers often enter the market with misconceptions about real estate agents — how they work, how the process works and what the agency relationship is all about. It’s helpful to point out, without getting too far into the weeds, that in any one real estate transaction, there are most likely two agents: one... Read More
How to Actually Afford to Buy a Home
Home buyers today face tough challenges — housing prices have soared, a dollar doesn’t go as far as it once did and rent is more expensive than the past. How are people today making such a large purchase despite these hurdles? With more flexibility and a bit of financing creativity, today’s buyers are finding ways... Read More
5 New Year’s Resolutions That Can Help You Buy a Home
Thinking of buying a home this year? We compiled five New Year’s resolutions that can help you keep your financial resume in tiptop shape. 1. Avoid job hopping Employment history and income are two of the biggest factors lenders look at when evaluating a mortgage application. A new job may be a good career move,... Read More
5 Games That Will Teach Your Kids About Money & Real Estate
There is little sense in building up a big portfolio or nest egg to leave as an inheritance unless we also teach our kids how to handle money and manage real estate investments. Then, the next generation can turn a little into a lot more. One of the best ways to do this is through... Read More
How Much Home Can I Afford? Find That Magic Number Here
How much house can I afford? Long before you start asking yourself what type of house you want—condo or house? Craftsman or ranch?—you should ask yourself this pragmatic question. After all, it’s no secret that your dream home can quickly turn into a living nightmare if you’re struggling to save for a down payment or... Read More
4 Tips to Throwing an Open House During The Holidays
If you’ve decided to keep your home on the market this holiday season (and you totally should), you probably have a few questions. Like, how much should you decorate the house? Or, is it OK to leave presents under the tree? We checked with several real estate agents to answer your most pressing questions, and... Read More
5 Easy Improvements to Get Your Home Guest-Ready for the Holidays
This is no time for major updates, so stick with simple tasks to make for a festive celebration. Hosting a holiday gathering can be a lot of fun, but perhaps a bit intimidating, too. You want your house to look its best, but now isn’t the time to undertake any major updates. Chances are, you’re... Read More
What To Do When You Have Problem Neighbors
Dealing with bad neighbors is a delicate business. Here’s how to improve things on the block. Figuring out how to deal with bad neighbors can be a major struggle. There’s nothing worse than buying a house and then realizing you have nightmare neighbors. But you don’t just have to grin and bear your neighbors’ undesirable... Read More