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COUPLES OFTEN START their married life in a tiny starter home, upgrade to a slightly larger home to raise a few kids, and then stay in that hopefully mortgage-free home in retirement. But many retirees no longer need a several bedroom home. And even if your spacious home is paid off by the time you retire, […]

What are the different types of mortgage loans available to home buyers in 2018, and what are the pros and cons of each? This is one of the most common questions we receive here at the Home Buying Institute. Types of Mortgages: Option 1: Fixed vs. Adjustable Rate As a borrower, one of your first […]

Highlights Create and stick to a budget Consider factors associated with a mortgage Buy homeowners insurance Ask the seller about past utility bills and property taxes Start a fund for maintenance and remodeling costs The price of homeownership is made up of recurring expenses that aren’t always obvious. It’s a good idea to create a […]

RALEIGH – “How is the real estate market?” It’s the question I get asked daily and it always gets my blood pumping with excitement to openly chat about real estate. Seasoned Realtors used to have their “elevator speech” ready to go but those days of a standard reply are officially long gone. “The market” is […]

Selling your home with the holidays on deck means you may need a crash course in how to decorate your home for the holidays without turning off buyers. Unless you’re a total Scrooge, it’s hard to argue with the fact that glitter lights and colorful accents make a home look more cheerful and inviting. But you […]

Pssst … wanna know how to buy a house for just $10,000 upfront, max? No, this isn’t a scam, or a ploy to lure you into purchasing some rickety shack in the middle of nowhere. We’re talking about a nice house in a nice neighborhood—for no more than a hundred Benjamins. We get why you’re skeptical, given […]

How to Choose a Place to Live Begin by determining what is most important to you and your family. If you’re single, living in a bustling city might be an ideal choice for your next home. If you have a family, on the other hand, a small town offers amenities that your kids will love. […]

This is a question that gets asked a lot in real estate sales. If you have a dog or cat, chances are you love your pet. While some home owners have strict outside pet rules, most allow their animals inside their homes as part of the family. But, while pets are great for your emotional […]

Thinking about selling in the Spring, do Fall maintenance now.  You’ll be thanking yourself later! Here’s a checklist of fall preventative home maintenance steps that every homeowner should follow. Gutters and Downspouts  Clean gutters and downspouts frequently throughout fall to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot […]

Even if you are not looking to build a new home, the Parade of Homes can be a great way to get your home prepped to sell during the fall market. Likewise, for those looking to buy a home that may need some work, the Parade of Homes can give you new ideas on utilizing […]