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Figuring out when to plunge into the real estate market can be quite intimidating—especially when prices are high, choices are limited, and history urges restraint. "We’ve seen two or three years of what could be considered unsustainable levels of price appreciation, as well as an inventory shortage that resulted in a record-low number of homes for sale across the country," says Javier Vivas, director of economic research for realtor.com®. "When you factor those together, you have a market that has to either explode or see some relief. Comforting, right? Well, take heart: Experts agree that [...]

A home inspection checklist is a rundown of features throughout a house that might be faulty or needs fixing. Home inspectors use these lists while inspecting homes, and while they may vary by individual and geographic area, rest assured, this list is incredibly long—proving that a whole lot can go wrong with a home! "There are typically over 1,600 different items on our list that home inspectors are supposed to look at,” says Claude McGavic, executive director of the National Association of Home Inspectors, which trains and certifies home inspectors throughout the country. A home inspection checklist can keep inspectors from accidentally overlooking [...]

When it comes to home design and decor, we'll be the first to tell you to stick with what you love, no matter what the pros say. But if you can't escape that sinking feeling each time you walk through your front door that your decor is looking a little tired, well, don't despair. We've got you covered! We've already talked about the design trends you should ditch in the coming year. Now let's take a look at some of the hot new designs you might want to use for 2018 to give your home a fresh lease on life. From [...]

Do you dream of living in an over-the-top Victorian? Or picture yourself poolside at a midcentury modern? Here’s where to start hunting. Let others obsess about massive square footage and the latest upgrades. For some, a home that’s frozen in time is everything, and there’s one particular era whose architecture got everything just right. Whether you’ve always seen yourself in a Revolutionary War–era Federal townhouse, a Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired Prairie School home, or a Spanish Revival—fountain and all—we’ve found old homes for sale in places where history and development aligned to [...]

If you're wondering how to sell your house fast, you probably don't have a whole lot of time for chitchat. You have zero time to spend researching the current housing market and pondering how it'll affect your home sale. You just want the guidance—plain and simple—that will help you find a buyer as fast as possible. Well, here's the good news: It is possible to sell a home fast, and the experts say it comes down to a few key to-do's to take care of before your home hits the market. If you're ready to unload [...]

In real estate, "the one that got away" stories get told and retold, usually with little satisfaction to the teller. The real estate you didn't buy, but still wish you had, can weigh heavily on your mind and may even top your "Big Regrets List." Every piece of real estate, vacant or otherwise, is unique. Once a property is sold, searching for its exact match is fruitless. Compromise becomes key. Here's Five No-Regrets Buyer Strategies to spare you dreaming about a property you missed out on: #1. View When You Can [...]

It's all coming together: You've got your eye on a home, and you've called your agent at all hours to tour the place repeatedly and make sure it's absolutely perfect. You're ready to lock this down and make an offer. But wait! Have you really gathered all the intel you possibly can? It's tough, we know, to get an accurate feel for a neighborhood—especially if you're new to the area or afraid someone else will swoop in on your dream home if you don't act fast. Sure, you can check crime rates and do online [...]

It's a slow Sunday morning. You've just brewed your Nespresso and popped open your laptop to check out the latest home listings before you hit the road for a day of open houses. You're DIYing this real estate thing, and you think you're doing pretty well—after all, any info you might need is at your fingertips online, right? That and your own sterling judgment. Oh, dear home buyer (or seller!)—we know you can do it on your own. But you really, really shouldn't. This is likely the biggest financial decision of your entire life, and you need [...]

Once you’ve decided it’s time to buy your own home, saving for that 20% down payment is step one toward doing it. Instead of waiting years, here are six ways to help you save up for that down payment in a matter of months. 1. Explore the market If you are saving money to buy your dream home, consider taking a detour through a lower-priced neighborhood first. Buying a lower-cost home means you won’t have to save as long for the down payment. As the home’s value goes up, you can use [...]

Pet allergies might not be a problem for you, but there's a decent chance one of your guests can't sit among dander without sneezing or coughing. And even if a pet is taken out of the house, it takes a certain amount of time for dander levels to go down significantly. “Studies show that it may take as many as six months before allergen levels become low enough so as not to cause a clinical reaction,” says Andrew S. Kim, medical director of Allergy & Asthma Centers in Virginia. But we challenge you [...]

Getting ready to sell your house? Then it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work! Selling a home, after all, entails a whole lot more than just planting a "For Sale" sign on your front lawn or uploading a few random photos of your place—especially if you’re angling for the most cash. (And, honestly, who isn’t?) So before you put your house on the market, peruse this checklist of things you must do in preparation. Some of these tips are surprisingly easy, while others might require a bit more elbow grease. But they're bound [...]

If you've been considering selling your home, one of your first questions will be: "How much is my house worth?" Maybe you've been inspired by those "Sold" signs in your neighborhood; maybe you're just ready for a change of scenery. Whatever the case, a great way to get an idea of how much your home is worth is to look at the recent sale prices of other homes in your neighborhood. Comps can help determine how much your house is worth By identifying the sale prices of similar properties in your area, known as "comparables" (or comps), you [...]