Location, location, location. The phrase may have become somewhat of a cliché in the world of real estate, but it still remains the most important factor in determining the true value of a property.

It costs a lot of money to maintain a home, but you might be spending more than is necessary. Your utility bills can be lowered significantly by reducing the amount of energy used in your home, and doing so may be much simpler than you believe.

How we spend our money has changed a great deal over the past few years. Whether you've saved more or depleted your savings, we all need some financial inspiration to help us save where we can. Check out these tips, and you'll be amazed at just how much money you can save with very little effort.

It's nearly impossible not to be bombarded with news and information about how much safer and healthier organic food is for our bodies. Although, we also know how much more expensive organic produce can be.

The current interior design trends are wide-ranging and diverse. There are new colors, textures, and materials, but the most important thing is that there are new moods. The way we desire to spend our lives has changed gradually over the past couple of years.

There’s a certain appeal of having guaranteed access to a vacation property in a spot that you enjoy visiting frequently on your holidays, which is precisely what timeshares offer.

If you’re planning on selling your home, you might have a relative who might be showing interest in buying it off of you. That could potentially make things a lot easier for you...

Want to boost the overall value of your home? It's a lot easier than you might imagine. In fact, a few key updates and changes can really hike up your home's value with minimal work and investment up front. Consider the following tasks to help increase the value of your property and build instant equity.

Leveraging is one of the biggest advantages that real estate investors have at their disposal. In fact, real estate investing is designed with leveraging in mind.

If you’re in the market to buy a home, you’ve got choices. Aside from the actual type of property - condo, townhouse, detached, etc - you need to decide whether to take the resale or new construction path to home ownership.

Extending your living space to the outdoors is a great way to infuse an added dimension to your home and allow you to enjoy it to the fullest. In fact, outdoor living is really getting popular these days, with more and more homeowners adding decks to their homes as a means of enjoying Mother Nature.

If you want to live in a community where your property is taken care of without you having to lift a finger, or where you have a variety of amenities to use at your disposal, then a homeowners’ association (HOA) might be perfect for you.

Whether you’re playing with the kids, enjoying a family meal, or even just catching some rays, the last thing you want is to be put on display in your own backyard. The demand for outdoor living space among homeowners has grown over the years, making privacy that much more important.

An odd-shaped living room can be a decorating nightmare. Whether you’ve got harsh angles, recessed walls, or columns in the middle of the room, it can be tough to arrange furniture, decorate, and create a functional space.

Most homeowners dread spring cleaning, but it's a necessity when you think about how many things typically get overlooked as part of everyday cleaning. You might vacuum, wash dishes, and do laundry regularly, but there are plenty of other chores that get overlooked.

Not all home improvement projects are created equal. Some renovations may cost a lot but not add significant value to your home. Here are some inexpensive home improvement projects that will not only increase your enjoyment of your home, but will also increase the home’s value.

The internet is forever evolving how we access goods and services, so why should home décor be any different? Homeowners have a plethora of resources they can look too when searching for décor inspiration online, including blogs, online magazines, and YouTube channels, but the newest fad is online interior design consultants.

Millennials continue to be the largest segment of homebuyers according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Here are five features that tend to entice millennials who are looking to buy.

As technology continues to evolve year after year, new products hit the market that help make our lives easier. Check out these five amazing innovations that can assist you in the kitchen!

There’s nothing quite like some well-earned time off in a cool new place, but vacations certainly don’t pay for themselves. Here are a few ideas for funding your next getaway.

It can be intimidating to stand in front of the paint swatches at the paint or hardware store and try to make a decision. Picking a color can be difficult enough—and then you have to choose the finish.

You’re going to have to do some regular repairs and maintenance on your home—it’s just a fact of home ownership. So that you’re not caught unprepared, it’s a good idea to keep a budget and set aside some funds for when the following repairs inevitably come up.

Home inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. After finding the perfect house, you will want to ensure that there are no hidden faults that may require lengthy and expensive repairs or renovations down the line.

When you purchase a home, there’s a good chance you’ll have to pay a homeowners association fee, especially in gated communities, townhouses, condominiums, and other similar planned neighborhoods.

Earnest money is a deposit you pay when you make an offer on a home—it’s a way to show the seller that you mean business. Usually you can’t get it back, but there are several circumstances that allow you to recover your earnest money.

Refinancing your mortgage can have many financial benefits when done at the right time in the right way. Here’s what you need to know about this type of transaction.

Home technology has greatly improved over the last few years, helping to increase convenience and energy efficiency. But some smart home features carry more value than others.

You may think that sale price is the only factor when you’re looking at comps and trying to set a price for your listing. But it’s actually a bit more complicated.

Purchasing a home can be a stressful experience, whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’ve been through the process before. But that’s one of the reasons that working with a real estate professional is so worthwhile.

Before you purchase a home, it’s important to educate yourself of the various types of mortgages you can get so you can make the right decision when the time comes to choose yours.

You’re probably well aware that there’s more to real estate than just owning your home. There are countless success stories of people who made a fortune, or even just a comfortable extra income, by investing in real estate.

It’s easy to get stressed out just hearing the word “renovation.” You’re instantly thinking of having your home life disrupted by construction debris, cluttered rooms, and loud noises.

Renovating your home can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. How much should you spend? Who should you trust? Who’s the best contractor/architect/designer/etc. in town?

It doesn’t take much time to go from a perfectly organized room to a cluttered, chaotic mess. Papers pile up on surfaces, coats and bags end up on furniture, shoe boxes and shopping bags get stuffed in the first place you can find. But if you’re proactive, you can avoid the common clutter traps.

As a homeowner, costs can really start to add up, so it never hurts to take measures to help you reduce your monthly utility bills. Here are a few ways to do just that!

It may seem inconvenient or difficult to decorate a small space in your home, but there are a variety of strategies to make that smaller area seem much bigger. Here are some ideas to help you maximize the space in smaller rooms in your home.

Is it worthwhile to improve your property, or is moving a better choice? Unless you built a custom home, you probably have a long list of things you’d like to improve in your current home.

Interior design is no walk in the park. In fact, many people build their entire careers on their keen eye for making each room in a home flow beautifully.

With low inventory in many markets throughout the country, many homeowners are afraid to sell their homes because they’re concerned that they may not be able to find a new one.

A recent survey from the National Association of Realtors® revealed that 77 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home makes it easier for potential buyers to visual it as their own. That’s why staging is not to be overlooked! Here are some top tips.

Summer may be officially winding down, however there are still many BBQs ahead, so you need your grill in tip top shape. Here are some of the most common gas grill problems and how to fix them!

Have you ever wanted to change the landscape of your yard by adding a tree or shrub? Whether you have a green thumb or are a green dud, with proper preparation and some good tips, you can successfully do it yourself.

A chaotic closet is a recipe for disaster when you’re trying to get ready. But a nice, organized one can help ensure you’re on time for any occasion with an outfit that’s sure to impress. These organization tips and ideas can help!

Found a stunning, large painting to perfectly complement your home? It's important to follow a few rules of thumb while hanging it to maintain the integrity of your wall and your painting.

When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells.

We all strive to keep our homes clean, but dirt and grime always seems to build up in certain places. It may be impossible to keep every area completely polished, but it helps to know which places accumulate the most germs and are commonly overlooked in our cleaning routines.

If you own a home, there was certainly a lot that went into your decision to buy rather than continue to rent. Now you’re enjoying all the advantages of homeownership. Here are the top five.

A few simple tips for improving your personal health. Summer is the time for family vacations and road trips, backyard barbecues, and days at the beach.

We’ve all watched the HGTV programs that show a run-down old house transforming into a dream home. Tackling a big renovation project on an outdated property can indeed pay off big—both with the home of your dreams, and with a return on investment.

Summertime is here and it’s bringing the heat! It’s always an option to blast the air conditioner all summer long, but there are ways to keep your home cool that are better for the environment and won’t double your energy bill.

Owning your first home is one of the biggest milestones in an individual’s life. Once it’s finally all yours, you want to make sure you avoid common rookie mistakes.

We all know that searching for and viewing potential homes is the fun part of the home-buying process. The not-so-fun part? The mortgage.

Some the features that increase property values are obvious—like a remodeled bathroom, a modern kitchen, or a sought-after neighborhood. But here are a few features and circumstances you have not have realized can affect property values.

Whether you are looking to make more room in your home or planning to redecorate, selling some of your lightly used home items is a great way to make a few bucks. Below are some tips to sell your items quickly and safely online.

Outdated kitchen. Overrun backyard. Unusable basement space. If you have a home renovation project on the mind, the first thing you have to consider is how you are going to finance it. Here are the most common options to make your dreams become a reality.

Many things in our world are out of our control, but one thing you can control is your home environment. There are many simple changes you can make to instill some much needed peace into your living space.

Summer is just around the corner so it’s the perfect time to start planning some fun projects for your backyard. Whether you are looking for new ways to entertain and host friends or you want to surprise your spouse or family with an improved aesthetic, here are some DIY projects that can help make your backyard even more spectacular.

The right artwork can transform any room in a home, plus it has the unique ability to display the homeowner’s personality, character, and energy. Because of that, choosing the right pieces can feel a little overwhelming sometimes. Use these guidelines to help you get started.

Houseplants are great natural decoration pieces to occupy a corner, window sill, table, or shelf, but they also offer many health benefits that can enhance your physical well-being.

Minimalism has been a dominating theme in design and architecture over the past few years. What started as an art movement in the 1960s has become a mainstay for interior designers that creates peaceful, eye-catching spaces with limited furnishings and selective decorative pieces.

Curb appeal is a big factor for home buyers. The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see when they come to a showing or open house, and you want to make a great first impression. And even if you’re not selling your home, these are low-cost, low-time investment fixes that can make a big difference.

As a first-time homebuyer, it’s understandable that you would be very selective about the home you purchase. This is likely the largest financial investment you’ve made in your life so far so you want to ensure you’re going to get exactly what you want.

You’ve found your dream home and now it’s time to cross all your Ts and dot all your Is before it’s all your own. And one of the first items on your closing checklist is the home appraisal. So, what exactly is that?

One of the joys of homeownership is getting to host your friends and family on various occasions. Here are a few hosting tips for your next party!

The balancing act between paying more than the minimum payment to rid yourself of debts and building solid savings can be a difficult one for some. Here are some things to consider when making this decision.

Purchasing a home comes with many tangible and intangible benefits. One that is commonly overlooked until the start of the year rolls around is the deductions you get on your taxes.

Reviewing your monthly expenses once a year is a great practice to get into. As you look at your monthly budget, you will find some expenses that are fixed, like your rent or mortgage, car payments, and child care expenses.

Lighting is such a crucial aspect of your home and can affect the ambiance, energy, and vibe in each room. However, sifting through the various styles, bulbs, and placement options can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started!

Before finalizing your home purchase, one crucial step in the process is the home inspection, during which a licensed inspector looks at the structure, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more. Here are 5 common home issues inspectors keep an eye out for.

As a homeowner, it’s never a bad idea to look at different ways to cut costs and one of the easiest areas to tweak is your grocery budget. Take a look at these tips to help you tighten it up.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the real estate market continues to trend upward. According to analytics firm CoreLogic, in November, home prices were up 8.2% year over year. Interestingly, Idaho (15.7%), Maine (15.4%), and Indiana (13.6%) were the states with the highest increases.

Recycling has a positive impact on the environment for many reasons. It helps conserve natural resources, prevent waste from piling up in landfills, and protect nature.

Before you jump head first into searching for your dream home, you need to ensure your finances are in order. This includes reviewing and strengthening your credit. Here’s what you need to know!

The process of moving can seem daunting, but with a little help from a reliable moving company, a lot of stress can be relieved. Here are some tips to make sure your belongings are in safe hands.

You’ve seen the label ‘organic’ for years now, but what does this really mean and what are the benefits to you and your family?

Your home is your oasis. A place to kick back and relax from your day. So, why not invest in some items that can boost the zen in your home? Check out the tips below to help you achieve ultimate bliss!

Does your dream home come with a small kitchen? Not to fear! There are plenty of ways to get the most out of the tight space. You just have to get creative. Check out these tips!

When purchasing a home, there are several fees you have to understand and factor into your budget before you hit the closing table. Here’s what you need to know.

Purchasing a new home is likely one of the largest financial investments you will make in your lifetime. And on top of the home cost itself, there are additional expenses that come along with this life milestone, like moving costs.

As a homeowner, if you don’t maintain good water-saving habits, you could be sending more money than necessary straight down the drain every year. Start saving by trying out the tips!

If you work from home full-time or even part-time, having a dedicated space in your home to sit down and focus is crucial. It should be a comfortable, organized space and everything you need should be easily accessible.

You’ve just purchased your first home and it’s time to start filling it up. But, where to start? Below is a list of must-haves for each room in your home!

Feng shui is the practice of using spatial arrangement and orientation to create synergistic, harmonious surroundings in a room or home. Mirrors of many shapes and sizes are often used to achieve this because they help bring light and movement into space and move energy throughout a room.

Being a homeowner is one of the biggest milestones in your life. You feel excited and proud to take care of your new house and truly turn it into a home for you and your family. To keep your house in the best shape possible, here are five bad homeowner habits to avoid.

Investing in real estate can be a great alternative to traditional investments and many owners choose to rent out their property. Here are some of the top benefits for getting into this line of business!

Hardwood floors are highly desirable for most homeowners, but they come with their share of challenges when it comes to cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. After a few months or years of heavy use from kids playing with toys and chairs being shuffled around, it may be time for some DIY fixes.

The kitchen is one of the areas of a home that sees the most wear and tear. All the water, heat, and food spills add up quickly, so it’s important to focus on quality and lasting appeal if you’re choosing materials for a kitchen remodel.

There is a difference between the two and here's how to get your home ready to sell. Once you've decided to put your home on the market you're looking to sell quickly for the best possible price.

Many sellers may be tempted to select the highest offer they receive, but there are several other factors to consider. Here are five areas important to evaluate.

Living an environmentally-friendly lifestyle and helping to keep our planet clean isn’t as difficult as you may think. All it takes is a few small tweaks. To start, here are five great tips for going green in your kitchen!

Do you desire a closet that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine? Then we have you covered! Follow the tips below to masterfully organize your closet and give yourself peace of mind.

When buying a new house, it’s easy to get distracted by size and think that bigger is better. However, depending on your situation, the opposite may be true.

Rustic and farmhouse interior design are still in, and it isn’t going anywhere any time soon! If you’re ready to hop on board this trend, try introducing some of these favorite ideas into a room in your home.

Revamping your landscaping can be a huge undertaking. It takes a lot of time, effort, and money. So how can you give the exterior of your home a facelift without breaking the bank or taking out a second mortgage. There a many ways to cut costs on landscaping, including some of these tips!

One of the biggest milestones you will reach in your life will be deciding to become a homeowner. But before you take the leap, make sure you set yourself up for easy transaction and a good homebuying experience. Check out the tips below to ensure it!

For most people, retirement feels like a long way off. But, if you don’t start preparing as early as possible, you may find yourself in a place of financial insecurity when the time does come.

Your moving day is set and it’s time to start preparing. As you’re making your lists and checking them twice, don’t forget to factor in your furry friends. Here are some tips for making sure the process goes smoothly.

In the current world we live in, it’s incredibly important to put a focus on finding strategies to keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy.

Nothing is more irritating than carefully selecting the perfect amount of bandwidth for you and your family just to experience spotty and oftentimes slow internet speeds while at home.

Downsizing your home is not just for empty-nesters. There are numerous reasons and situations where this path could be the right one for you and your family!

In this day and age, our smartphones have become just another limb, permanently fixed to our bodies. So, the idea of keeping phones out of the bedroom seems like such a foreign concept.

Buying a home is likely one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime. So why not maintain and grow that investment so if or when you decide to sell, you can reap maximum return? Below are a few value-boosting ideas to get you started.

The home buying process can be exciting and fun, but also complicated, stressful, and overwhelming. Maximize your chance of success and minimize the amount of time spent trying to keep track of all the details by working with a buyer’s agent.

One of the most daunting parts of selling your home is deciding what to price it at. You don’t want to price too high and get little to no traction but you don’t want to price too low and undervalue your home.

Using plants as décor is a great way to add a little color and a natural, bright feel to any room. There are endless types of plants to choose from and various ways to display each one.

Tips for cleaning your beautiful hardwood floors and keeping them looking great. Hardwood floors make for a beautiful, stunning addition to your home.

There are a lot of factors that will determine how quickly your house is sold, and it’s important to tackle the factors you can control. If you’re still living in your home while trying to sell it, these are a few simple ideas that can help speed up the home sale process.

Nothing ruins a workday like not having a designated, comfortable place to work from. And when you are working from home, whether it be temporarily or indefinitely, setting up a great workspace gets even tougher.

Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. Lucky for you, refreshing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.

When you’re selling your home, adding some extra perks can help you find a buyer quickly. An incentive is essentially a marketing spend for your home sale. But you want to make sure your marketing dollars are being used effectively, so consider these do’s and don’ts...

Unfortunately our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn can quickly become too small as families expand and multiple generations live under one roof.

When you're house hunting, focus on the things that will improve your quality of life. There are so many factors that go into a home buying decision that it can make your head spin—especially if you're in a competitive market where time is of the essence.

Homeowners have the ability to automate anything from locks to lights to air conditioning and more. With new technology popping up every day, it’s hard to stay up to date on the smart-home trend.

For many people the garage is the place you mindlessly store stuff just to get it out of the way, and before you know it, you’ve got a cluttered mess on your hands. Here are five steps toward organizing your garage for good.

When purchasing a new home, it’s important to do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. One thing you’ll need to understand is how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong.

An accent wall can totally transform a room, taking it from boring and drab to bold and exciting. Accent walls create a new focal point for your space, add liveliness and contrast, and are typically a very inexpensive DIY project.

You’ve found the perfect home and it has everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Spacious, modern kitchen. Gloriously open floor plan. Giant bedrooms. Great location and neighborhood. The only downside is the backyard is slightly smaller than you’d hoped.

Feng shui is the Chinese tradition of balancing your home to achieve benefits and advantages associated with your health, finances, career, relationships, and more.

Staging your home is all about putting the best foot forward for potential buyers. By highlighting its most desirable features, you can draw more interest for your home and leave a lasting impression that is sure to help you sell it more quickly.

Before you dive into replacing your windows, the first step is to carefully evaluate the pros and cons. Replacing your windows is no small investment.

In the past few years, the biggest kitchen trends revolved around stainless steel appliances, bright white or light gray cupboards, granite countertops, and minimalist decor, maintaining a clean, sleek look.

any homeowners would love to invest in making their property more energy-efficient. Going green can save you a lot of money over time and is great for the environment, but the up-front costs can be significant.

Few things in the home buying process are more frustrating than having your offer accepted, only to have the appraisal fall below your offer. But all is not lost!

It’s easy to be wowed by a house. You’re anxious to discover your dream home and accomplish a big goal. You can’t wait to cook in the brand new kitchen or relax in the spa-style tub.

Renovations never seem to go as planned. There’s always a cost you didn’t anticipate, or a problem that didn’t reveal itself until the project was underway. Here are five common costs to look out for.

Buying a home can be a long process. The last thing you want after all your time spent searching for homes and getting the best mortgage rate is to have everything go wrong on closing day. Here are five tips that’ll ensure it goes smoothly.

Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to give your home a makeover. Whether it’s updating an old bathroom paint scheme or adding a bold accent wall, painting can totally transform a room.

Adding plants to your home will give it a fresher and brighter feel and will also improve your home’s air quality.

Buying your first home can be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life, but it can also be a scary and stressful process.

It's easy to overlook some of the things that can affect your budget and purchasing power when you're considering a home, and one of the biggest factors that buyers overlook is the cost of their daily commute.

Guess who’s back, back again? Wallpaper has risen to the top of homeowners’ favorite ways to spice up a room again and its easy to see why.

Selling your home is a huge undertaking to begin with, but if the process drags on for months and interest trickles in much slower than expected, it can be frustrating and stressful.

Shopping around for the best possible mortgage terms is an important part of the home buying process. A few percentage points can make a difference of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage.

Here are a few things new homeowners can do to save on energy and maintenance. When you’ve just purchased a new home, there’s a ton on your mind.

Creating a gallery wall in your home is an easy, do-it-yourself way to bring your personal style into any room. There is no right or wrong way to create one and no limit to the possibilities.

Smaller rooms can be difficult to decorate, because if you don’t know a few important tricks, the space can end up feeling a little claustrophobic. Here’s how you can keep a room feeling airy and spacious, even if it’s just a studio apartment or an attic.

Research suggests that about 1 in 20 homeowners will make an insurance claim each year. So while it may seem that your monthly home insurance expenses aren’t worthwhile, the chances of needing your insurance are higher than you might think.

There’s no more important time to work on your credit score than when you’re about to apply for a mortgage. Improving your credit can save you a ton of money—we’re talking about thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

Most of us fall into the habit of disposing of all of our household items when they’ve broken, expired, or simply are no longer useful.

When selling a home, it is incredibly important to consider who you are selling to and what they are looking for. Fixr recently surveyed influencers in the industry to discover who's in the market to buy and what home features are most attractive to them.

If you’re looking to refinance your home or possibly sell, you’ll need a killer appraisal. A bank will not refinance a home for more than it is worth, and a potential buyer will not pay more than the recognized value of the home.

Choosing to enter the home buying process is likely the largest financial decision you will make in your lifetime, so it is not one that should be taken lightly.

Looking for a fun way to bring an additional pop of color or design to a room with minimal time or money investment? Consider trying out an amazing area rug! Check out these tips for revamping your space with this fun decor piece.

You’ve narrowed down your wish list, viewed many homes, and finally found your perfect fit. Time to take the leap and make an offer! This can be both incredibly intimidating and exponentially exciting.

One of the huge benefits of owning property is the home equity you can build. But with equity comes the temptation to dip into it if a large expense or possible investment arises.

Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt, don't forget there will be other costs associated with your purchase then the price of the home.

Whether you work full-time at home or occasionally need to conduct business in the evenings or on the weekends, a home office a great way to utilize an extra room.

As homeowners pull out Halloween decorations, however, they often take the opportunity to look around their homes and make some more permanent changes.

Remodeling your home? If so, there’s some planning required on your part before you dive into whatever project you’re working on. Keep in mind that while certain things you do will help the project in a positive way, there are also things that you might do that could totally sabotage your efforts.

Roughly 8% of all mortgage applications are denied by lenders. But as challenging as it can be to get approved for a mortgage, it’s not impossible, as long as you’ve got all your ducks in a row. Here are a handful of reasons why borrowers are denied mortgages, and what can be done to offset them.

If you’re looking to change or update the look of your kitchen on a budget, simply changing the face of your cabinets can work wonders. Not only is this a cost-effective option, it can completely alter the look and feel of your kitchen.

A home inspection is one of the most common contingencies to be included in a real estate contract. Even if a home is only a couple of years old, anything can happen, which is why it’s important to take the opportunity to have the home inspected before your purchase agreement goes firm.

Accessories can never be underestimated, no matter what room you're using them in. You can easily create a luxe look by sprinkling your bathroom with opulent accessories such as candles, perfume bottles, soap dispensers, and others to make your bathroom look fit for royalty.

Perhaps the easiest and most cost-effective way to give your home a fresh new look is to simply give the walls a fresh coat of paint. Newly painted walls can give a home a new and updated look, which can go a long way.

Many purchases that you make come with the option to buy a warranty in the event that the product is damaged, such as small appliances and electronics. This helps cover the cost of repair should they break down so you're not paying out of pocket.

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye.

You’ve got more options than ever when mattress shopping these days with no shortage of brick-and-mortar and online-only retailers to choose from.

"Refinancing" is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly.

From replacing cabinet doors, to burned-out light bulbs, to everything in between, all sorts of scenarios will sneak up on a regular basis in your home that will require your handiwork. Even things like hanging a picture on the wall or measuring rooms for furniture require some type of tool to get the job done.

As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially.

Organic food usually tastes better, and is better for you, but it can also be very expensive compared to non-organic products. Organic food can cost nearly 50 percent more, thanks to the extra labor required to produce it and consumers’ demand exceeding supply.

Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first.

When you put your home up for sale, one of the best ways to determine the asking price is to look at comparable sales. There’s rarely a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, so a pricing decision often relies on comparisons to several recent sales in the area.

Refinancing your mortgage is something most homeowners consider at least once throughout the lifespan of their home loan. It allows you to pay off your previous loan by applying for a new one that has better financial advantages. While there are many good reasons to refinance, here are five common ones.

Water might be a necessity in life, but it can also wreak havoc in your home when it's not properly contained. Water can cause mold, mildew, and major damage to surfaces in your home. It can even compromise the integrity of your home's structure.

Improving your home is a great way to not only improve its aesthetics and functionality, but it's also an effective way to add value. Certain projects can bring in a high ROI, adding more value to your property compared to what you spend on the actual project itself.

There are plenty of terms to agree to when you sign a real estate contract to purchase a home. But one thing you likely would never agree to take over are liens on title. Unfortunately, liens can derail real estate deals and cause headaches for both buyers and sellers.

For most of us, our bedroom is little more than a place to sleep and relax. However, just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean that we have to settle for drab and dreary.

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders.

Ever wish you could become one of those rare morning people? The ones that wake with a start, feeling refreshed and energized. The ones that get in that morning workout or wrap up some work before many of us even hit the snooze button for the first time. Here are five tips to help you achieve that early bird status!

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying a home?

When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are our top five recommended repairs to make before selling your home.

Unfortunately, our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn can quickly become too small as families expand and multiple generations live under one roof.

An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters are a possibility.

Ever get the itch to do a DIY project? Whenever we do, our favorites involve getting outdoors and mixing up our landscaping features. Whether it's as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming like re-plotting plants, a fresh look for the lawn always gives your home a fresh look as well. Here are our top five easy landscaping projects!

Imagine something dangerous lurking in your home that you can't see, smell, touch, or taste. That's what radon gas is, and it can be hazardous to your health and that of your family. But it's virtually impossible to detect without the proper tools.

There's a lot to do when it comes to getting a home ready for sale, and staging it is one of them. Obviously, a home that's properly furnished with pieces that are appropriate for the size of all rooms and decorated with tasteful accessories and neutral colors will show a lot better than a home that looks disheveled.

There are so many perks to homeownership, including certain tax breaks. For instance, if you own a home, you may be eligible to deduct interest expenses on up to $750,000 of mortgage debt, which can save you some cash come tax time.

If you've been thinking about investing in real estate and buying a property to rent out over the long haul, you might want to consider a somewhat unique investment opportunity: vacation rentals. In fact, renting out vacation properties has become all the rage lately thanks to sites like Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway.

A gorgeous house in a great neighborhood is definitely something that will catch buyers' attention. And the best house on the block will certainly stand out from the rest. But is purchasing the best house in the neighborhood a sound investment? It's safe to say that many buyers want a home that's move-in ready.

Every seller wants to snag the highest possible price for their home when they sell, which is why certain measures should be taken to prep a home and craft a solid listing for buyers to see. And one of the recommended things that sellers should consider is making improvements that will help garner more attention from buyers.

If you own a home and have some equity built up in it, you may have the opportunity to refinance your current mortgage. And there may be some good reasons why may want to consider refinancing, depending on your situation.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a particular mortgage product. While the interest rate and fees associated with a home loan are certainly important factors to consider, so is the amortization period.

Curb appeal speaks volumes. It not only creates a welcoming vibe to your home, but it also plays a key role in its value, too. Given this, it's important to keep up with your home's curb appeal and spruce it up if need be.

All homeowners want to take measures to make sure their homes are secure and that all occupants within their homes are kept safe at all times. When it comes to condos, there is usually an added level of security in the form of a locked main entrance, security cameras, or 24-hour concierge.

Sellers are obviously interested in knowing the value of their homes so they can figure out roughly how much they can potentially sell for. But buyers also want to know the value of homes they're interested in and may put an offer on, as it will help them determine an appropriate and competitive offer.

Sales across the nation have dropped over 8% in January compared to the same time last year, though it's expected that such a slow down has tapered off.

Buying a house is an expensive endeavor.

Getting a mortgage these days can be quite a challenge.

City dwelling definitely has its perks.

If you're in the mood to do a little remodeling, you might take to the internet to gain some inspiration. The following sites top the list in terms of ideas, content, and DIY projects.

Open houses provide sellers with a great opportunity to showcase their home to the general public in hopes of finding a willing buyer to put in an offer.

When it's time for you to move out of your old home and into your new one, there's a lot of packing and hauling to do.

There are plenty of benefits to owning a home.

Real estate sale prices inched up in December, though the number of existing family home sales dipped.

When you find a buyer for your home and strike a deal, there are plenty of events that will follow, and an appraisal is one of them.

Condo living is pretty popular among buyers who are looking for something more affordable than traditional freehold homes.

Thinking of buying a condo? It's a great type of real estate to buy, whether you're planning to live there yourself or are thinking of renting it out as an investment property.

Many homeowners rent out a part of their home in an effort to make a little side cash for space that they're not using.

Buying a home is a big commitment, so you obviously want to make sure that your purchase is a sound one.

The median price for a single-family home in California currently sits at $554,760.

With the price of homes as expensive as they are these days, it can be tough for anyone to get into the housing market.

Earthquakes can have devastating effects.

If you want to attract buyers to your listing, staging it is a great way to start.

For the second consecutive month, the number of existing home sales saw gains in November.

In light of the horrific fires that ravaged parts of California, it makes sense that all households should have a sound fire escape plan that can get all residents out of danger quickly and safely.

Whether you rent or own, you still have monthly expenses to pay in exchange for a place to live.

City living comes with a certain level of excitement and convenience that you'd be hard-pressed to find outside of the downtown area.

Buying a home is a big deal, and you need the right team beside you to help you navigate the process and end up with a successful transaction.

If you own a home and are in need of a loan, you might be able to use the equity that's built up in your property to be put towards a large expense.

Buying a new home is incredibly exciting.

The quirky and unique features of a home might accurately showcase a homeowner's personality, but they might not necessarily be very good at impressing buyers.

All homebuyers are looking for a deal, which is why the negotiating process in a real estate transaction is so important.

It might not quite be time to file your taxes just yet, but it's important to understand all the ways that you can take advantage of the tax perks available to homeowners.

The housing market in California continued to show signs of slowing in October as the number of sales declined for the sixth consecutive month and the median sale price dipped as well from the month before.

There are so many decisions to be made when buying a home, and the type of mortgage to take out is one of the more important ones.

Buying a home might be an expensive endeavor, but renting can also be incredibly pricey, especially in specific parts of the country.

FHA loans are attractive mortgage options for borrowers who may find it challenging to get approved for a conventional mortgage.

Homebuyers are always looking for a deal on a home purchase.

House hunting is an exciting time. When you're finally ready to buy a home, the next logical step would be to scope out different homes on the market in order to find the one that you fall in love with and meets all your needs.

The housing market in California appears to have cooled somewhat over recent months, with the number of home sales continuing to dip in September.

Having plenty of space in a home is a luxury. But what might be enough space for some may be too much for others.

Let's face it: even the best of friends can get under each other's skin when they live together, so cohabiting with a complete stranger and adapting to each other's habits can be tough.

Whether you're buying or selling a home, having an experienced real estate professional to help you throughout the process is extremely helpful.

Some homes are sold in a matter of hours, while others tend to take forever to find a willing buyer. If you want to avoid the latter situation, consider adopting the following habits.

Certain features in a home have stood the test of time in terms of adding value to a property, while others often don't bring in the type of ROI that sellers usually look for when they sell.

The thought of having a place of your own to retreat to whenever you feel like getting away sounds nice, doesn't it? That's the beauty of having your own vacation home.

There are plenty of ways to invest in real estate, and multi-family housing is a popular one.

While not necessarily a requirement when you're on the hunt for a new home, attending open houses can give you the opportunity to scope out properties that are available on the market.

The vast majority of homebuyers search online during the house-hunting process, which means your listing better be in tip-top shape before buyers set their sights on your property.

After a steady decline in existing home sales throughout the summer, sales across the US have leveled off in August.

Planning on selling? There's plenty to consider, including whether or not you'll potentially be subject to capital gains taxes.

Every buyer wants to get a deal on things that they buy, and real estate is no exception.

As a homeowner, you obviously need a homeowners insurance policy. It's a no-brainer, and it's also required if you want to keep your mortgage.

First-time homebuyers make up a big chunk of all the buyers on the prowl for a new home. But what exactly do they look like?

When sellers list their homes on the market, they're usually concerned with two main things: how much they can sell for, and how long it will take to sell.

The latest string of wildfires in California have torched over 688,000 acres and destroyed more than 2,000 structures.

Vinegar is not just reserved for your salad dressing.

Sales of existing homes dipped again in July, slowing to a pace not seen in months. However, prices in July increased for the 77th straight month to new highs.

Painting walls is definitely not rocket science. But that doesn't mean that there aren't things you can do to ensure the job is easier and the finished look is free of flaws.

When you buy a home, it's exclusively yours to use, right? Not always.

It might be easy to change a light bulb or tighten a loose cabinet handle, but there are several other tasks that will need to be done around the house over time.

Here are some of the biggest reasons why FSBOs wind up seeking the help of a real estate agent to help them seal a deal.

While you might not necessarily be doing any of the wheeling and dealing at the negotiating table when buying or selling a home, it's still interesting to know how your real estate agent handles these talks in order to get their clients the best deals possible.

A good landscaping job can exponentially increase the aesthetic factor of a home and boost its curb appeal.

Most buyers need a mortgage to purchase a home, and when you finally secure financing, you'll be stuck with it for a long time.

Home sale prices across California hit a new peak for the second consecutive month, but the number of sales barely inched higher from May.

You might be emotionally ready to part with your home and are already on the prowl for a new place to call home, but is your house truly ready for the market?

If you want to find and buy your dream home, you'll have to wait until it hits the market and is advertised on popular mediums like the MLS, right?

You’re considering selling your home and moving into a new one that better suits your needs and situation. But is selling the only option on the table?

Real estate contracts can include any number of clauses and contingencies, and one that may not be as popular as some others is the "bump clause."

How does saving a few hundred bucks every year in energy bills sound to you?

California isn't exactly known for its heaping mounds of rainfall, which can make it a bit of a challenge to keep your greenery healthy, especially in the summer.

As a seller, you've got clear goals: sell your home for a pretty penny, and find a buyer within a reasonable amount of time.

The median price for a home across the US reached a new high this past May, though overall sales were down slightly. Here are some other pertinent stats about the housing market in the US as compiled by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Real estate reality shows on television are quite popular these days.

Home inspections typically accompany real estate deals, giving buyers an opportunity to check out the house in greater detail with a professional in an effort to uncover any problems that may not have been detected during the initial visit.

A smart seller will have their home staged for the market in order to showcase their property in the best light to prospective buyers.

You're a homebuyer hopeful who has a big dream of buying a home of your own. There's just one thing left to consider: what's your credit score like?

You're ready to buy a new home, and you've narrowed down your choice to a property within a planned community. Many buyers opt for this unique type of housing option considering all the perks that tend to come with it.

Are you in search of a real estate agent to buy or sell? Be sure to "interview" them appropriately to make sure you find one who's best suited for you.

It's never easy to lose a parent, but having to deal with the sale of their family home and the contents within it can make things even harder.

The addition of a walkway in an outdoor space can both add visual interest and create a functional and convenient means of getting around the yard.

Not every homeowner is blessed with oodles of outdoor space outside their home, but even the smallest yards can be just enough to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.

The following are some highlights of the housing markets across the US, as compiled by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Aside from storing a bunch of your belongings, you probably don't give your crawl space much thought. But while you might not actually spend any time down there, your crawl space is still an important part of your home that requires some level of attention.

If you're planning to apply for a mortgage to help you finance a home purchase, you could get stuck paying mortgage insurance, depending on the type of home loan you take out and your down payment amount.

A lease is a crucial component of renting real estate and is meant to ensure that both the landlord and tenant uphold their promises in the landlord-tenant relationship.

If you're planning to sell your home soon and are looking for outdoor projects to undertake in an effort to boost the value of your home, consider the following updates.

If you're on the hunt for a new home, you've got a lot of decisions to make, including the type of home you want to buy.

An estate sale is the sale of a property of a recently deceased homeowner with the purpose of liquidating the home and all assets in it.

You've found a home you love, put in an offer, and the seller accepted it. That's half the battle, but the process isn't yet complete. There are still some hoops to jump through in order for the deal to close.

Here are some stats surrounding the existing home sales activity in March 2018, according to the National Association of Realtors.

If you're selling your home in the near future, one thing that you will want to find out is its exact size. Your home's square footage is a critical element in establishing the listing price of your home.