Real Estate Articles

When you find your dream home, it’s only natural for your heart to beat a little faster. But you still need to get the best value for your dollar. Following are six ways to make you a happy and savvy homebuyer:
1. Find the Right Real Estate Agent:
An agent can be your most valuable asset. [...]

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For many, the dream of owning a rural “home away from home” is something that began in childhood.
Before you buy, however, you might want to answer the following questions:
How Far Away Is It? If you must travel two days by rail, then take a four-hour hike through the woods with a toddler strapped to your [...]

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Renovating your home is all about adding value to the property. But it can be a jungle out there. Following are seven ways to maximize the return on your renovation investment so that you see a payback and not a loss when you sell:
1. Make Your Kitchen or Bathroom Sing: A sparkling up-to-date kitchen or [...]

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Thanks to the Internet, virtual tours and Google Maps, it’s easier than ever to locate prospective properties when searching for real estate. But before you try to go it alone, it’s essential to understand the other advantages real estate agents bring to the table.
Experience: One of the biggest benefits of working with a local real [...]

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If you’re hiring a home inspector prior to signing off on a piece of property, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind.
Following are some important questions to ask:

Home Long Have You Been Working in the Field?
An inspector should be able to provide references and a history of experience. It’s [...]

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Selling a home without the services of a professional real estate agent can be a complex process that requires a lot of time and commitment.
It can also leave homeowners with a few more gray hairs.
First, home sales require complex legal documentation. There are many templates to use, but they skim only the surface of the [...]

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When you drive up to your dream home it’s difficult to imagine a substitute residence, especially if you are a first-time buyer. Its curb appeal is unbeatable, you think to yourself.
But there are a number of things to consider before you take the plunge.
Location is one of the big factors.
Even in a down market people [...]

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A comparative market analysis (CMA) is one of the most important considerations in any real estate transaction. It not only benefits both the buyer and seller, but a properly performed CMA is a critical step in establishing price versus value. Here is what you need to know about a CMA before buying or selling a [...]

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Deciding whether to hire a home stager isn’t an easy decision. In tough economic times there’s a tendency for homeowners to cut back on any added fees. However, that could be a big mistake. Research indicates that the need for a home stager is even more important during a buyer’s market as competition is tougher. [...]

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If you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s best to test for radon before the deal is done.
Home sales often occur at a fast pace, leaving little time to check for such problems. But it’s important to do so in order to avoid difficulties afterwards.
Radon is a cancer-causing gas that has secretly infiltrated millions of [...]

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Seniors who are at least 62 years of age and want to buy a new home can obtain a reverse mortgage and purchase a residence at the same time.
However, because of depressed home prices, since Oct. 1, 2009, borrowers who obtain reverse mortgages get 10% less than they would have before that date.
That change compensated [...]

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Condo living often elicits images of carefree weekends sitting beside the pool, but there are some pros and cons to consider before making a purchase.
1. The Lifestyle Itself: One of the biggest advantages of condo living can also become a disadvantage. The sense of community, amenities and other features that originally attracted you to a [...]

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First-time and seasoned homebuyers received some good news recently.
On Nov. 6, 2009, the federal government extended a valuable tax break to homebuyers under the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009.
The legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress as part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges [...]

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The appraisal process can leave sellers in a state of confusion. Unfortunately, lack of knowledge can be detrimental to obtaining the best price and fast closing for even the most competitive properties. Following are some guidelines to follow for best results:
1. Understand the Home Value Code of Conduct (HVCC): The code stipulates that brokers, loan [...]

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When it comes to buying and selling real estate, timing is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, it’s also a topic few people truly understand. The following are some tips to keep in mind when speaking with your real estate agent.
Sell before buying or buy before selling?
It’s an age-old question, but asking a few strategic [...]

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Matters of the heart tend to hurt rather than help the negotiation process when it comes to buying and selling real estate. The following tips will help you manage the emotional ties that bind buyers and sellers to bad decisions.
Use an Agent: Agents do more than just show a home. They provide an impartial and [...]

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Deciding whether to purchase a fixer-upper or go with a home in need of fewer repairs isn’t always simple.
The following information can help you calculate the true cost of purchasing a fixer:

Supplies, Labor and Time: Whether you do the job yourself or hire outside labor, repairs and renovations are notorious for costing more than you [...]

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Communicating with your real estate agent is the key to developing a winning strategy to show your property in the best possible light.
The following tips might help you avoid frustration and increase the odds of a successful showing:
Be Honest: The first step is to be completely honest with your agent. Make sure the agent knows [...]

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The decision of whether to remodel an existing home or buy another one has become more difficult because of the price of real estate declining across much of the nation.
A few years ago, the benefits of remodeling were quite simple due to the cost savings. Today it isn’t as straightforward.
The following are some things to [...]

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Whether you are buying or selling, the language of real estate is often complex and confusing. Following is a plain-language explanation of commonly encountered real-estate-related lingo.
Title: Title to a property essentially denotes ownership interest and is designated by the name(s) on specific legal documents such as mortgages and deeds. The title can be held by [...]

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