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 [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Uncategorized'
Remodel or Buy? Which Is Right for You?
November 2nd, 2009 · Comments Off
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A Guide to Deciphering the Lingo of Real Estate
November 2nd, 2009 · Comments Off
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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What You Need to Know About Short Sales
September 29th, 2009 · Comments Off
If it seems like short sales have suddenly exploded in the real estate arena, it’s not your imagination.
Once considered relatively rare, short sales have become a common phenomenon in the past 18 months, thanks in large part to the banking and mortgage crisis.
To find out if you can benefit from a short sale, here’s some [...]
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Quick and Easy Fixes to Spruce Up Your Kitchen
September 29th, 2009 · Comments Off
Home is where the heart is, but everyone knows that the heart of a home is the kitchen. It should come as no surprise, then, that the kitchen is one of the most important considerations prospective buyers have in mind when evaluating property.
Use these quick and easy kitchen fixes to add interest and obtain top [...]
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Why Smart Homebuyers Work with an Agent
August 31st, 2009 · Comments Off
When it comes to selling a home, almost everyone understands the value of working with a knowledgeable real estate agent.
But buyers can often benefit even more than they might expect.
Find out the top reasons more buyers than ever choose to work with an agent when searching for their next home or investment property.
Saves Time
Undoubtedly one [...]
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Take the Stress Out of Moving with These Storage Ideas
August 31st, 2009 · Comments Off
Few things are more dreaded than moving day but new storage solutions can ease some of the stress. Learn how to select the right storage space for your needs, based upon your specific situation, without breaking the bank.
Flexible Time. If your top priority is a flexible schedule, a POD might be the perfect choice for [...]
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Buyers: What Makes a Good-Value Home Today
August 3rd, 2009 · Comments Off
Thanks in part to changing demographics combined with the economic downturn, a major move to get back to the basics is a hot trend in today’s real estate market.
For those seeking maximum value at a minimum price, keep these essentials in mind.
Bigger Isn’t Better: Bigger spaces are associated with higher utility bills, increased property taxes, [...]
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Sellers: The Secret to Making Buyers ‘Belong’ in Your Home
August 3rd, 2009 · Comments Off
It’s only natural for your home to reflect your personal style, but when it comes time to sell, what makes a house a home becomes a major hindrance. Learn how to depersonalize your home in order to obtain the best price.
Go Neutral: Unless your favorite color scheme is completely neutral, it’s time to get out [...]
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How to Make Your Home First Choice for Buyers
July 1st, 2009 · Comments Off
Thinking about selling your home but worried about the competition?
Whether you live in a cookie-cutter neighborhood where every home looks more or less the same or you simply need a few fresh ideas to help your home stand out from the rest for sale on the same street, use these simple tips to make it [...]
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Why Now Might Be the Time to Get Into the Housing Market
July 1st, 2009 · Comments Off
Rising unemployment, sluggish real estate values and uncertain economic times may not seem like criteria for buying a home, but upon closer inspection it could prove to be the winning combination.
Here’s why.
Tightening Credit Standards: Credit isn’t as easy to come by as it once was, and it’s expected to get even worse as banks attempt [...]
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Chance of a Lifetime: Tips for First-Time Buyers
June 1st, 2009 · Comments Off
While the burst real estate bubble might be bad news for the economy, it could be good news for first-time homebuyers. In fact, now might just be the best buying opportunity of a lifetime. Follow these steps to determine where to begin:
Establish a Realistic Budget. Owning a home involves more costs than meet the eye. [...]
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Easy Touch-Ups to Give Your Home Curb Appeal
June 1st, 2009 · Comments Off
Spruce up your yard in time for summer entertainment with these quick and affordable fixes for the most common curbside complaints.
Pressure Wash and Spray. Start at the roof, then work your way down, to remove stains and dirt from walkways, driveways and even fences. Whiten and brighten the concrete, crevices and other corners of your [...]
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Don’t Make These 4 Home Buyers Blunders
May 5th, 2009 · Comments Off
Buying a home needn’t be a high-risk venture. With a little planning, preparation and the use of a knowledgeable real estate agent, you can avoid these common buying blunders.
Procrastination
How many times have you called on a property only to learn it was already under contract? It happens more often than you might realize, especially for [...]
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How to Make Sure Your Home Is Priced to Sell
May 5th, 2009 · Comments Off
Pricing right is one of the most important aspects to selling a home.
Price too low, and you are leaving hard-earned money on the table or worse…you can actually create a reverse incentive for buyers to view the home since they may assume the property is in need of extensive repairs. Price too high, and the [...]
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How the Seasons and Weather Affect the Real Estate Market
April 2nd, 2009 · Comments Off
Buyers searching for a new home will do well to remember how seasons are likely to impact real estate. Learn how to obtain the best price while making seasonal variations and weather trends work for you with these quick tips:
Always view homes in person. Although a picture may be worth a thousand words, there are [...]
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Don’t Make These 4 Home Sellers Blunders
April 2nd, 2009 · Comments Off
Learn how to obtain the best price and avoid the headaches and heartaches associated with selling a home by avoiding these top four mistakes most people make:
1. Pricing
Without a doubt the single biggest mistake most people make when selling a home is not pricing right. Price too low and people are likely to ignore the [...]
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How to Benefit from a Home Inspection
February 20th, 2009 · Comments Off
Buyers are often tempted to cut corners on things like home inspections to save money for fun items like furniture or a big-screen television. Don’t! A home inspection is one of the best investments you can make when purchasing a new home or other real estate.
Learn how to use a home inspection to your advantage [...]
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Sellers: How to Make the Most of Your Homes Period Details
February 20th, 2009 · Comments Off
One of the major selling points of vintage homes is the attention to detail and fine craftsmanship only found in older houses. Learn how to make the most of the period details in your house to reap higher sales prices with these effective strategies:
Shine the Spotlight: Prepare your home in anticipation of taking plenty of [...]
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Why it Makes Sense to Work with an Agent
January 10th, 2009 · Comments Off
If you have ever wondered why it’s better to work with an agent rather than listing “by owner,” you aren’t alone. Superficially, selling a home seems easy - until you actually try it.
According to statistics, nearly 80% of people give up and list with an agent after months of costly and time-consuming delay.
Here is why [...]
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4 Ways to Tell if You Can Add Value to a Home
January 10th, 2009 · Comments Off
Learn how to add value to any home with these quick tips:
Deferred Maintenance: Small repairs and the general neglect of a home can make it appear less appealing than it really is. Don’t be detracted by deferred maintenance; instead, perform an inspection to eliminate the risk of serious problems, then use the condition as a [...]
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