Wouldn’t it be great to own a place at the beach, in the mountains, or by the lake? If you are seriously considering buying a vacation home, you have probably weighed many of the pros and cons already. But you should carefully consider everything before you buy. Have you taken these additional costs and benefits […]
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3 Surprising Ways Public Schools Affect Your House Hunt
It’s back-to-school season. School supplies are front and center in the stores, back-to-school sales are everywhere, and school buses are becoming part of the morning commute. Even if the public school district is not an important factor in your home search, the location of public schools can still have a significant impact on your home […]
The Final Word on the Best Time to Sell a Home
There are countless home selling articles online that seem to contradict each other. In this Huffington Post article, the month of May is the best time to sell. But in this Washington Post article, any time between December and March is the optimal time. And in this NerdWallet article, the right time to sell is […]
5 Easy Summer Decorating Ideas to Brighten Your Home
Summer is the perfect season for spending warm evenings outside, hosting get-togethers with friends, and enjoying the longer days. What better way to take advantage of the long days and abundant natural light than in your own home? Here are 5 simple summer home décor tips that can instantly brighten and transform your living spaces. 1. Add Splashes […]
Don’t Touch the A/C! 7 Tips to Stay Cool and Save Money
It’s easy to just crank up the air conditioning during the hottest months of summer. Sure, the energy bill may be higher, but it’s worth the extra expense to keep your home cool — right? Or are there any sure-fire ways to save money and stay cool indoors? Before you reach for the thermostat, try these DIY energy-saving tips to keep […]
7 Things You Must Do When Relocating
Anytime you relocate to a new area, whether it’s a city just a few miles away or across the country, you face a unique set of challenges. The housing market, the transit, and even the weather may not be what you’re used to. Planning your move can be difficult, too, since you need to coordinate when, where, and how […]
Inside Prince’s $12 Million Tropical Island Estate
Prince’s stunning Caribbean hideaway is up for sale – and it could be yours for $12 million . Prince, the legendary and iconic performer who died tragically April 21st, spent a majority of his time at his estate within the Paisley Park Studios in Minnesota. To get away from the dreadfully cold midwest winters, The Purple […]
Surviving a Seller’s Market: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet
House hunting is challenging enough at any time; shopping during a seller’s market is a whole additional difficulty level—and that’s what would-be buyers are seeing across the country. The supply of homes is low, demand is high, and sellers are in control. If you’re not careful, you’ll be left drying your eyes with the broken shards of your rejected […]
Buying vs. Renting: What does it really cost?
Some Highlights: The percentage of income needed to afford a median priced home is almost half the percentage of income needed to afford median rent. Buying costs are significantly less than renting costs. The percentage of income needed to afford a median priced home is less than the historic norm. Why not have the mortgage […]
It Pays To Get Smarter About Home Buying
The great French scientist, Louis Pasteur, famously said, “Fortune favors the prepared mind” — meaning that true advances come from being knowledgeable at the beginning of an endeavor. Today’s home buyers are taking this advice to heart. They’re doing more to educate themselves on the market, narrowing their search process using online tools and, in […]