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
[...]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
[...]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
[...]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
[...]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
[...]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
[...]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
[...]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
[...]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
[...]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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