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Summer is the best time for a little getaway. Whether you’re packing up the family for a cross-country road trip or heading out to the lake with friends, it’s always nice to kick back, relax, and get away for a little while. While you’re laying out by the pool, sitting around the campfire, or otherwise […]

Although homeowners likely know the fixtures and exteriors of their houses impact their value, they may not be aware of how strongly neighboring properties influence buyers and appraisers. Professional appraisers compare homes to similar properties in their surrounding areas. Even though appraisers are there to evaluate one property, they are sure to notice if the next door neighbor’s […]

Hybrid Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Hybrid ARMs often are advertised as 3/1 or 5/1 ARMs—you might also see ads for 7/1 or 10/1 ARMs. These loans are a mix— or a hybrid—of a fixed-rate period and an adjustable-rate period. The interest rate is fixed for the first few years of these loans—for example, for five years in a […]

  If you’re thinking of buying a home and wondering about interest rates and credit, you’re already on the right track. The average interest rate for a 30-year (fixed) mortgage right now is between 3.25 and 4.125 percent, depending on the lender. (Those are, of course, the rates offered to borrowers with great credit.) I […]

Selling Secret #10: Pricing it right Find out what your home is worth, then shave 15 to 20 percent off the price. You’ll be stampeded by buyers with multiple bids — even in the worst markets — and they’ll bid up the price over what it’s worth. It takes real courage and most sellers just […]

A home’s curb appeal can greatly affect its selling price and time on the market. Your home’s exterior is the first thing prospective buyers see and it could reflect positively or negatively on your own home, and neighborhood homes, as well. This doesn’t mean a complete revamp of your exterior, but basic maintenance and simple […]

What are the pros and cons of selling a home as-is? This is a question you may have thought about if you’re planning on selling a home. Sometimes when you are selling a house that has some issues, selling it “as is” may seem like the easiest course of action. Most homeowners assume that selling […]

A great neighborhood sells a home, real estate agents say. It also helps your home hold value and makes it easy to sell when you decide to move on.  With all the pressure and excitement of home shopping, how can you know if a neighborhood is truly great? Here are 20 clues that help you […]

Privacy can sometimes be hard to come by in a home. After all, everyone is sharing the same kitchen, bathroom, and other amenities. One common way to create a private place within a residence is to establish an in-law suite – also known as a mother-in-law suite. Robin Shreeves, writing for Realtor.com, says these suites […]

Welcome to the ideal house — one that satisfies all your needs, functions like a dream, and simplifies your life. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. The perfect house is made up of common-sense features that give satisfaction no matter where you live, or how big or small your house is. And it doesn’t […]