Mark Ross's Blog Posts

Getting a home improvement project to pay off is notoriously tricky. There's no guarantee you'll recoup the money you pour into a bathroom remodel or an outdoor kitchen. Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic

Single-family housing starts ended 2020 on a high note, rising 12% in December to a 1.338 million unit pace – the highest pace since 2006, according to the Census Bureau.That’s up 27.8% from one

Fannie Mae‘s latest forecast projects economic growth to hit 5.3% in 2021, an increase of 0.8 percentage points from what the government-sponsored enterprise projected last month.The forecasted

In December, AmTrust Title Insurance Company announced the hiring of seasoned underwriter Mary Shelley as its midwest region agency underwriter. We took the opportunity to talk to Shelley, who has

President-elect Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus, unveiled Thursday as the American Rescue Plan, includes a call for extending the national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until Sept.,

If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ll stand the best chance in a buyer’s housing market, where listings are flush, demand is low and buyers have the upper hand — not to mention most of the

Are you considering purchasing a home for the first time? Then you’re probably already saving money for your down payment. But what about all the other costs needed to complete the transaction?

A super-easy plan for getting organized without adding to your home-is-school, home-is-work, home-is-everything time burden.Did you ever notice that your self-improvement pacts with yourself are

Start looking for that contractor NOW if you want your project done by summer’s end.Whew. The holidays are done. The new year has rung in.That's when smart homeowners know it's time to do these

New homeowners may have heard that winterization is important, but in the hubbub of your first year living in a home you own (finally!), it can be easy to overlook the need to prepare for the cold

When my husband and I were house hunting, properties that had plastic taped over the windows or draft catchers below the exterior doors gave us pause: Did that mean the house wasn’t energy

In normal circumstances, selling a house involves interacting with a lot of people. In-person house tours, roundtable closings, and handshakes are all standard formalities.But in a world rocked by

Single-family housing starts continued their seven-month climb in November, coming in to the highest level since 2007, according to the Census Bureau.Housing starts rose 1.2% in November compared to

Savvy home buyers know that winter is typically a good time to embark on a house hunt, since much of their competition stays holed up at home until spring. But this winter, buyers might notice that

Given massive year-over-year gains in home prices, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is increasing its 2021 loan limit in most of the U.S. to $356,362, an increase of nearly $25,000 over�

Existing home sales came in at a whopping 6,850,000, beating estimates with the highest print since 2006. Days on market fell from 36 days to 21 days on a year-over-year basis. Cash buyers remain at

Some believe that the end of summer also marks the final days of enjoying outdoor barbecues, parties, and casual get-togethers. Yet, just by adding a few design elements to your outdoor space, you

You need to come up with some cash, fast. Maybe you have a leaky roof that desperately needs fixing or you need help paying for your kid's first semester of college. But where do you turn?If you're

Home trends come and go, but social distancing and staying at home have ushered in a new way of life—and some of those changes have spurred home trends that are likely to stick around well past

Selling a home in winter is often a slow process. Since many home buyers traditionally hunker down as the temperature drops, particularly during the holidays, home sellers with real estate on the

If your house is bursting at the seams, or simply short on storage options, the solution may be as close as your garage. To make the best use of this space, however, you first need to corral its

In a series of bizarre things happening in 2020, add a rare blue hunter’s moon on Halloween to that list.If you’re outside on this spooky night, don’t expect to look up and see a blue tinted

For generations, people have been drawn to big-city life by the irresistible lure of career opportunities, cultural riches, and the sheer excitement of rubbing shoulders with hundreds of thousands�

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller index of home prices in 19* U.S. cities rose 5.7% in August from a year ago, the greatest year-over-year gain since 2018, driven unsurprisingly by tightened supply

If you imagined 2020 was the year you would finally list your house for sale, you may have hit the brakes on those plans when the coronavirus pandemic arrived.But now, we’re more than six months

The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose two points to 85 in October – the highest score the series has ever recorded since its inception 35 years ago

As much as we all wish we could go back to a time when social distancing was a foreign concept and masks were just something you wore with a Halloween costume, it’s clear by now that COVID-19’

The health and economic crisis has made 2020 a horrific year for many Americans. Added to all that misery we had terrible fires in the West and hurricanes in the East.  From my perspective,

In the largest increase since 2013, luxury home sales rose 41.5% in the third quarter, according to a new report from Redfin.While sales in this segment of the housing market have skyrocketed, the

For the second consecutive month, Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index, a composite index designed to track consumers’ desire to sell or buy a home, gained 3.5 points in September to 81

You may be planning for a major kitchen renovation, including new appliances, plumbing, countertops or cabinets. Instead, you may be aiming to spruce up the space with a smaller budget. A kitchen

This year's coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying recession have turned a lot of people's financial plans upside down. But those millennials who've been lucky enough to hang onto their jobs are

If you weren't one of the bajillion people jumping on the quarantine garden trend these past few months, you might think your chances of producing a plentiful bounty in your own backyard have

Ah, fall: The nip of the first chill in the air. The colorful foliage. The pumpkin spice lattes. The pumpkin spice everything.Oh yeah, and the long list of home maintenance tasks awaiting you at the

Riddle me this: How can home sales grow when we have no homes to buy?When a monthly home sales print fails to meet expectations the excuse often used is that inventory is too low to meet the demand.

Home-price growth began accelerating in July, a sign that the slowdown in home prices caused by the coronavirus pandemic may be reversing.The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index,

Despite mortgage ratesrising slightly from a previous all-time low, mortgage applications gained 6.8% last week, according to a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association.The refinance index

These days, things are changing so fast, it’s tough to keep up. That’s especially true in the mortgage industry, where interest rates and the overall home loan landscape are shifting with such

By the time my husband and I put in an offer on a home (for the third time) in August, we were exhausted by the home-buying process—and we hadn't even bought a home yet.Even in the midsize town in

U.S. homeowners with mortgages witnessed a 6.6% year-over-year increase in their equity in the second quarter of 2020 – representing a cumulative gain of $620 billion for the nation and an$

While at the beginning of the year it seemed like Millennials and Generation Z were going to take hold of the housing market in 2020, the pandemic drastically changed that prediction.For the first

It's been six months since many of us were last in the office, tapping away on our ergonomic keyboards and drawing on whiteboards in conference rooms during (gasp!) in-person meetings.Since then, we

Even with refinancings driving a record $1.1 trillion in originations in the second quarter and testing the limits of lenders’ capacity, LOs, mortgage executives and economists say all the

Average mortgage rates for 30-year and 15-year mortgages fell to all-time lows this week, Freddie Mac said in a report on Thursday.The 30-year average is 2.86%, breaking the prior low of 2.88% set

Preparations for your move to a new home are underway and you’re starting to pack, get rid of items you don’t need and schedule movers. But you’re not ready to move until you’ve set up your

U.S. lenders issued a staggering $1.1 trillion in home loans between April and June, marking the biggest quarter in at least two decades, according to mortgage data firm Black Knight. The record

Buying a home often entails also buying various types of insurance to protect your property, and one type you might need to get is called title insurance.So what is title insurance? When you buy a

The deadliest pandemic in more than a century has failed to derail the housing market because of the lowest mortgage rates ever recorded coupled with a shift in how people use their homes.“The

As you approach closing day for your home purchase, you’re going to hear a lot of discussion about the deed and title of your property. Both are an important part of owning real estate, but it can

Four days ahead of its previous expiration date, the Federal Housing Finance Agency extended its moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for borrowers with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and

A mother-in-law suite is a private living space that is either attached or separated from a larger home but on the same property. As the name suggests, it can be used by the parents of the,

Whether you are house hunting in the suburbs or searching for an apartment in the city, there is an endless supply of information to take in and evaluate before you decide to submit an offer. This

The numbers: Sales of previously-owned homes in the U.S. rose 24.7% between June and July to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.86 million, the National Association of Realtors reported Friday

The forbearance rate for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac dropped to 4.94% in the first week of August, the first time it’s been below 5% since April, the Mortgage Bankers

EQUITY IS A TERM USED in different contexts within business and investing, as well as in real estate and marketing.There are different types of equity that represent various classes of ownership or

For nearly 16 years, Beverly Willett lived with her husband and two daughters in what was her dream home: a four-story, 4,000-square-foot brownstone in Brooklyn, N.Y. But sometimes when life,

After three weeks of increases, mortgage applications fell 0.8% last week as mortgage rates continued to sit near record lows, according to a report by the Mortgage Bankers Association.The

The U.S. homeownership rate soared to an almost 12-year high in the second quarter as low interest rates allowed more Americans to qualify for mortgages.The homeownership rate jumped to 67.9%, the

A monarch butterfly at the butterfly house at the Elkton Community Education Center and along the Umpqua River.Terry Richard/StaffFragile, beautiful and fascinating, butterflies flutter their way

The HEROES Act, a bill introduced and passed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in May, could be signed this week, offering homeowners and renters much-needed relief in light of the COVID-19

Oh, your poor, sad patio. Not a comfy seat to be had, and that cracked concrete . . . well, it probably looked really great when disco was king. Whether you love to entertain friends or bask in

How to DIY Your Own Outdoor Movie TheaterThere’s nothing quite like watching a movie on a big screen, but many of us will be forgoing indoor movie theaters for the immediate future. And while-

The total number of loans in forbearance fell for the sixth week in a row to 7.74% of servicers’ portfolio volume, according to a report by the Mortgage Bankers Association. As the country braces

The numbers: The index of pending home sales rose 16.6% in June as compared with May, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday.The increase comes after pending home sales experienced

Buying a home in a community with a homeowners association comes with many perks—such as a maintenance crew to take care of the lawn, gym, swimming pool, or other shared areas enjoyed by HOA

You have a lot of decisions to make when choosing what home to buy: where you’re going to live, the size of the home and the amount of work you're willing to put into it.You may want to move in

Creating a safe, accessible, and comfortable living environment is something everyone can relate to these days, whether it's having a convenient work-from-home station or finding cost-efficient ways

In the age of coronavirus, video tours are quickly becoming the go-to alternative to in-person tours. But for prospective buyers, there's more to the process than asking your smartphone-wielding

In an age of misinformation, something as simple as cleaning a cloth face mask can become incredibly confusing. What should you use to clean it? How should you clean it, and how often?We’ve likely

Taking care of your home this season isn’t just about getting in on all those trending summer looks and beautifying the backyard. It’s also about getting all those dreaded seasonal maintenance

Millions of Americans struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments because of COVID-19 have received relief through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.But mortgage

That lone ant roaming the kitchen counter may not seem like a big deal. Maybe it's even kind of cute. But think again.A few random ants can actually mean a major problem if not treated at the:

With your backyard being the new summer hangout, it’s about time to spruce it up. But what if your budget is already stretched tight?Well, if you don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty, we've

The anxiety of buying a new home can form in any number of ways, and you might find yourself questioning the property you’ve chosen: Is the backyard really that small? Is the soil contaminated

It's heeeere: tax time.Granted, this year, the coronavirus pandemic prompted the Internal Revenue Service to extend the usual April 15 deadline to July 15. That might have seemed like plenty of�

Want your new vegetable garden to survive—and even thrive? You might need to start thinking hard about succession. And no, we're not talking about corporate dynasties, or even the buzzy show on.

For the past several years, the trend among many luxury homebuyers in the U.S. has been clear: bigger isn’t necessarily better.Buyers who could easily have sprung for sprawling estates have

In April, after Virginia enacted a stay-at-home order due to the spread of the coronavirus, Ruth Boyer O'Dea found herself alone in a three-floor, five-bedroom residence in Arlington listed for a

There’s a good chance you have home improvement plans in the near future, whether you just closed on a fixer-upper or you’re looking to update the house you’ve lived in for 20 years.A well

Finding your dream home isn’t easy. You'll spend a lot of time to scouring online listings, attending open houses and scoping out neighborhoods – and you may still come up empty-handed.Maybe

Curb appeal: It's the make-or-break first impression of your home. It either beckons a second look or turns buyers off entirely. And now, in the age of the coronavirus, curb appeal is more vital

Graduations, birthdays, and holiday celebrations look a little different this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. OK, a lot different. Virtual events have filled the gaps, of course, but it

Whether you've planted vegetables or flowers in your yard lately, you've likely noticed some dismaying intruders: weeds.Whether they're dandelions, bindweed, spurge, or some other growth, weeds rob

Getting a mortgage, paying your mortgage, refinancing your mortgage: These are all major undertakings, but during a pandemic, all of it becomes more complicated. Sometimes a lot more complicated.But

Until recently, the prognosis for the housing market wasn't great. With the economy in a free fall, home sellers swiftly took down their "For Sale" signs and many buyers chose to wait out the

Those hoping the coronavirus-fueled recession will bring another round of bargain-basement real estate prices are likely out of luck.Even with the pandemic raging, a battered economy, and the

It’s been nearly two months since the number of borrowers who need forbearance on their mortgage began spiking due to coronavirus shutdowns, but it looks like the forbearance curve may be

Working from home, or WFH, isn't just common in the workforce today – it's increasingly the norm. Companies and employees are realizing that a lot of work can be accomplished without actually

There’s a basic rule of thumb to follow when choosing paint sheens: The higher the sheen, the higher the shine -- and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be.Flat paint has no shine;-

With nearly 4 million borrowers in forbearance on their mortgage, we still don’t have a complete picture of what happens when forbearance periods end. Borrowers got some clarity on the situation

Mike and Crystal Green couldn’t have picked a worse time to look for a new home. In mid-February, Mike was offered a promotion to be regional sales manager at Chatsworth Products, a computer

During the current financial crisis, you may ponder the idea of simply stopping payment on your mortgage. It is an option that some may want to consider in difficult times, but it is a bad decision

No home improvement project revives, beautifies and protects a house as quickly, effectively and affordably as exterior painting. A new coat of paint can completely transform the look of your home.

A month and a half into a national emergency that has shuttered the economy as the U.S. battles with the coronavirus pandemic, the real estate market is already bearing the impacts of the health

Those who are fortunate enough to still be collecting a paycheck while quarantined or sheltering in place might expect to build up some serious savings. While you work from home, you're avoiding

Few moments are as exciting for home sellers and homebuyers as when a “sold” badge is added to the For Sale sign in front of your property. But when you drive through neighborhoods, especially

A letter arrives in the mail and tells you your mortgage has been sold. It also informs you to send your monthly payments to a new address. Don’t panic! This happens all the time, and you shouldn

Spring is the perfect time to open up the windows in your house and clean every surface inch, but there’s no reason to spend more time on this task than necessary.Use these tips to quickly get

Homeowners are asking for breaks on their mortgage payments in droves, as millions of Americans face the prospect of unemployment or reduced income because of the coronanvirus pandemic. But

The coronavirus crisis has thrown a number of wrinkles into the home-selling process. Stock market fluctuations and job layoffs have some buyers rethinking whether to commit to a property purchase.

Is it a good idea, or even possible, to buy a new home, site unseen, during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place lockdown?The adage, “where there is a will, there is a way,” certainly holds true –

In French, it means superior force. However, in legalese, the term force majeure refers to a clause that can allow a person or business to extricate themselves from a contract.“In general, it’s

Selling a home can be a headache. It often takes longer and costs more than you think, and it can be an emotional drain. That’s in normal times. Selling a home during a pandemic will add a slew of

Packing up and moving has always been remarkably stressful in and of itself. Moving during the coronavirus pandemic, when everyone across the nation is supposed to be staying put to lower their risk

If you've been thinking about buying a home for a while, you may have marked your calendar back in the winter to start your house hunt right about now. After all, spring typically kicks off the

Real-estate agents are rushing to help home buyers and sellers close pending house sales, as the pandemic poses unprecedented obstacles to a high-touch process traditionally done in person.House

Next week, Daryl and Kathy Storment will be moving about 300 miles west from their home in Eastern Washington, a rural area known for rolling hills and big fields—toward the center of the country

As businesses across the United States have been mandated to close their doors in a desperate effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, people have been losing their jobs left and right. Now, we're

With April 1 right around the corner, residential landlords across the country are waiting to see how bad of a hit they’ll be taking from the coronavirus pandemic.Millions of Americans have lost

The mortgage industry’s biggest trade and lobbying groups are banding together to push the federal government for widespread relief for all borrowers affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the U.

Households with two working parents, or a single working parent, have long struggled to balance careers and family time, but at least one thing hasn't been on those parents' plates: school.Now,

With the economy in near shambles, layoffs becoming widespread, and more of the country under orders to shelter in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, historically low mortgage

Pay attention to high-touch areas of your home – especially those you don't normally disinfect.The COVID-19 virus probably has you spending just about all of your time at home these days, so it�

Determining property lines can provide you with information for needed legal changes to your home and backyard.You may feel confident that you know your property lines just by looking at your house

There is plenty to worry about as the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. ratchets up, a prolonged recession becomes likelier, and more Americans' jobs are in jeopardy. But to ease some of the

If you inherit a house, or any other kind of property, you may feel as if you've been thrown into the deep end of real estate ownership. Not only must you deal with the loss of a loved one, but you

In his lifetime, Kerney Overman Jr. built a thriving construction company, a close-knit family and a charming beach cottage one block off the Atlantic Ocean in North Carolina. But at around age 70,

What is a home warranty? In a nutshell, it's a policy a homeowner pays for that covers the cost of repairing many home appliances if they break down.After all, lots of things you buy come with a

Mortgage applications soared 55% this week from one week prior, and demand for refinances rose to an almost 11-year high, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.The deluge came after rates

You're going to save money with DIY home improvement projects. Sure, everybody knows that.But did you know how much? Cut professionals out of the equation and you can save half the cost of a-

Mortgage rates have just dropped to the lowest level in almost 50 years, compelling both homeowners and home buyers to get off the couch to take advantage of record-level savings on their.“

The Federal Reserve just cut its benchmark interest rate — but don’t expect lower mortgage rates as a result.The Fed made the rare move to lower the federal funds rate by a half-point to a range

The numbers: Sales of newly-constructed homes in the U.S. soared 7.9% on a monthly basis in January to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 764,000, the government reported Wednesday.That figure

If you're lucky enough to have a spare room, in-law suite, or second home, there's a good chance you've considered renting it out. Put a bed in there, post it on Airbnb, and count the cash rolling,

You may be wondering if there are tax deductions when selling a home. And the answer is: You bet!Sure, you may remember 2018's new tax code—aka the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—changed some rules for

When you’re house hunting, budget is everything. It dictates how much home you can reasonably afford, and therefore which homes you look at. After all, you don’t want to end up house poor or

In a home foreclosure sale, the seller is actually a bank or mortgage lender. In this scenario, the lender has seized a property from the previous owners who were unable to pay their mortgage. Now,

Maybe it’s been a while since your living room got any love. We get it—it’s easy to get sidetracked by all the different ways you can upgrade your kitchen or bathroom.But the living room has

In mid-January, Kim Colaprete held an open house for a property that had just hit the market in Seattle. With nearly 100 people attending over two days, it was a busy event, says the broker of Team

For most homeowners, the hardest part of any home renovation project isn't the work itself – it's finding a competent and reliable contractor to do the job. Installing kitchen cabinets, knocking

Even as mortgage rates hover around five-decade lows, home buyers may still feel the affordability squeeze thanks to rising property values.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.47% during the

It probably won’t come as a surprise to those in the mortgage business that the fourth quarter of 2019 was a big one, considering that originations continued to rise throughout the year thanks to

It probably won’t come as a surprise to those in the mortgage business that the fourth quarter of 2019 was a big one, considering that originations continued to rise throughout the year thanks to

Mortgage rates are resting near record lows — and that’s spurring a wave of refinancing activity as Americans look to take advantage of the savings a cheaper interest rate could bring.Refinance

It’s unclear when the next recession will come. But a recent report argues that when it does the U.S. housing market is unlikely to adversely affected in any major way.Researchers at First

A three-year low in the average U.S. rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage pushed the number of “refi eligible” borrowers to 11.3 million, the second-highest on record, according to Black Knight

HOMEBUYERS ARE typically told that they're making a great investment by purchasing their primary residence.Houses are sold as wealth-building tools – a way to escape "throwing money away" on rent.

What are the tax benefits of owning a home? Plenty of homeowners are asking themselves this right around now as they prepare to file their taxes. You may recall the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—the

If you’ve been following our "New Year, Clean House" series, then you know that you're almost done giving your home a refresh. By now, hopefully, you've reclaimed your bed, turned your bathroom

Every year, top resolutions for the New Year include working out more and losing weight. Going to the gym is one way to meet these goals. However, a monthly membership can really inflate your.

Point2 Homes, a real estate listing website, analyzed the language in 1.2 million home listings across the U.S. and came up with the most common phrases.The three most frequently-used feature

Changes in how the most widely used credit score in the U.S. is calculated will likely make it harder for many Americans to get loans.Fair Isaac Corp., creator of FICO scores, will soon start

You do your best to be a good neighbor, but there’s always room for improvement. Here's an idea: This year, take some extra steps and make a bit more effort to be an even better neighbor. It'll

Whether you have one kid or eight, the odds are good their tiny rooms are filled to the brim with stuff, especially after the holiday season. And it's easy to let that slide, as long as the kids are

This is the tale of two basements in otherwise comparable houses. One is a finished basement with a den, bedroom, and full bathroom. The other basement has some Sheetrock, an exposed toilet, and a

Home maintenance in the winter? You heard us right, snow dogs. Just because the flurries may be drifting all over the yard and temps are dipping perilously close to the freezing mark, it doesn't

Investors need a plan to properly manage an inheritance.(GETTY IMAGES)RECEIVING AN inheritance can be a double-edged sword.On the one hand, it's overwhelming, thanks to the intense emotions

When you find you can't make your mortgage payments, contact your lender to discuss options that may help you get back on your feet without losing your house.Even the most careful planners and

The new decade has kicked off with a fairly stable interest-rate environment for home loans.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.72% during the week ending Jan. 2, down two basis points from

The home-buying season used to kick off sometime in spring, as the snow began to melt and people tried to plan for a summer move-in. But in recent years, the limited supply of homes for sale has

Plenty of online resources exist to help you calculate your mortgage accurately. (GETTY IMAGES)WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR monthly mortgage payment, you're not just paying off the sticker price of the.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will let mortgage borrowers nationwide take out home loans over $500,000 in 2020.The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday that it will increase the limit on

Taking care the basic things will create a path toward financial wellness and help position an investor for retirement.(GETTY IMAGES)WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK of wealth management, they often conflate

If you're hoping to secure a new address in 2020, you've picked an excellent time to enter, or re-enter, the real estate market. Interest rates are still near record lows, and in many areas across

Mortgage REITs are one way to invest in real estate bonds.(GETTY IMAGES)WITH THE EXCITING performance of the stock market in 2019, it's easy to overlook the real estate bond market. But real estate

The laundry room is perhaps the least visible room in your home, but it serves a vital purpose—and we spend a lot of time there. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time

Buying a house is one of the most exciting things you'll ever do in your life — and signing the mortgage for that house will probably be one of the most terrifying.Since navigating the home loan

Your search for the perfect house involves more than just the home itself. Beyond seeking out the perfect number of bedrooms and an entertainment-ready backyard, you also need to find the right

Letting strangers in your house while you're not there can be a difficult part of the home selling process. Protect your belongings and identity by removing valuables and any paperwork that has your

Drastic changes, such as a sudden drop in interest rates, may make it expedient to refinance a mortgage early.(GETTY IMAGES)IF YOU'VE HAD YOUR mortgage for a while or have built equity in your home,

While the idea of avoiding mortgage payments may be tempting, you'll miss out on some tax breaks and reduce your ability to invest elsewhere. (Piotr Powietrzynski/Getty Images)In today’s low

Clean up the clutter in your home and be willing to negotiate with buyers.Selling your home may seem like a mystifying process, but it doesn't require any hidden knowledge that the real estate

For many of us, the decision to rent or buy is dictated by our income. If the monthly costs of homeownership take up no more than 30% of your income and you can afford a down payment, then buying a

Part of the thrill of a renovation is dreaming up a brand-new look for your home. The best part of the process is, of course, walking through the finished rooms and settling into your new space.But

We’ve all heard about spring-cleaning, but what about pre-holiday cleaning? That should be a thing, too! After all, with the holiday season right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to

Although mortgage rates now stand higher than they did just a couple months ago, more people are applying for loans to buy homes.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.75% during the week ending

If you own a home, there's a pretty good chance you've wielded a paintbrush a time or two. And even if you haven't, chances are that you will eventually.It might seem like picking up a paintbrush

Shopping for title insurance may not be the most thrilling step in buying a house, but it is one of the most important.Before you can own a home, or "take title" to a property, most lenders will

CLOSING COSTS ARE EASY to overlook when you're buying your first home, as you're probably most concerned about the house purchase price, your down payment and the mortgage interest rate. But it's a

What you should know about working with clients who choose this unusual avenue to homeownership.A small but growing share of home buyers is forging an alternative path to homeownership that is ripe

Use humidity, a car product, and more wow ideas to save cleaning time.When cleaning your home, why not do it in such a way that'll keep your home cleaner with less effort?Here are 7 ways to keep

Homes don’t clean themselves. But these easy-peasy rules (wake and make!) will make you feel like they do.Here's the thing you may have noticed about houses: They don't clean themselves.Which is

Brrr! With temperatures tumbling, there’s nothing better than nestling in some cozy blankets in front of a wood-burning fireplace. The sound of crackling wood and the heat radiating on your

Extreme winter weather can leave neighborhoods and communities without power or other public services for long periods of time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warns.It's a smart idea to

After you make an offer on a house and it's accepted by the seller, you'll be asked to put down an earnest money deposit to show your commitment to this purchase. But while you might be gung-ho to

Moisture keeps your skin fresh and plump, but, sadly, it’s not doing your home any favors. In fact, according to Steve Worsley, owner of CNC Contractor Services, a mold consultation and mitigation

A bank will likely deem a 15-Year mortgage plan less risky than a 30-year plan, but that plan gives you less flexibility. (GETTY IMAGES)MORTGAGES COME WITH many options, and one of them is your loan

No matter how many episodes of “House Hunters” or “Love It or List It” you've watched, buying a home inevitably comes with surprises. Though a sharp real estate agent will help you navigate

winyuu/iStockThe cooling temperatures of autumn offer a long-awaited break from summer's scorching heat, but you won't relax for long—the beautiful colors of the leaves also signal that yardwork

Cooler weather is coming — prep your home for its arrival while it's still nice outside.The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting cooler. The kids are trudging off to school again

Tempura/iStockTo the inexperienced, painting a wall may seem like a larger-scale version of coloring inside the lines. But painting should never be considered an elementary task. Painting

BanksPhotos/iStockWhen it comes to selling a house, you want to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. For years, that meant targeting baby boomers and Gen Xers; but today, millennials are

Taking on a home improvement project can increase your property’s value, address small issues before they become large problems, and make your house more livable. But while small projects may

If it’s been a while since you gave much thought to the literal roof over your head, now’s the time to make sure all is well. Determining whether your roof needs to be repaired or replaced is a

Hopeful buyers are willing to go to great lengths to save enough for a down payment. (Getty Images)There comes a point for many prospective first-time homebuyers when nearly everything you do is

LTV measures for lenders the risk of a loan defaulting. (GETTY IMAGES)WHETHER YOU'RE borrowing to buy a home, car, recreational vehicle or a similar asset, you can expect to use the asset you're

Lighting, inside and outside your home, is key to deterring would-be burglars. Lights inside indicate someone is home, and timed lighting when you're not there helps give the illusion you are.-

Home buyers are always looking for a bargain. But if you're really looking to save some dough, consider a sheriff's sale. As the name suggests, it's a real estate sale that involves your local

Oh, the things you could do with your home if only you had the money. Remodel the kitchen, overhaul that ugly bathroom, or just fix the roof. But who has thousands of dollars just lying around to be

Spring just on the horizon means your heater is about to go dormant for a while. Hooray! But be forewarned: You're likely to notice a burning smell once you turn it back on at the start of the next

Prepping your home for the holidays isn't just about putting up decorations. Prepare your house so visitors who either stay for the evening or for a few nights feel welcome and safe. Maybe it's

Although the nation’s trade war is projected to weaken future economic growth, Freddie Mac’s September Forecast indicates the housing market is likely to maintain its strength well into the.�

Young first-time homebuyers are often attracted to spaces with plenty of room for entertaining friends and family. Stage your home so it showcases those spots and help potential buyers envision

It's one of those home-buying riddles that many think is all but unsolvable: How can a home buyer get a mortgage with bad credit? After all, if your credit score is abysmal, you may as well kiss

Part of making your home healthier is keeping unwelcome bacteria, dirt and toxins from getting inside. Have your family and friends take shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in dirt and keep your

Many homeowners with mortgages have considered refinancing at some point or another. Refinancing a mortgage essentially replaces your current mortgage with a new loan. It's an especially enticing

Living in a community managed by a homeowners association (HOA) means that you're obligated to follow certain rules and regulations. Depending upon your HOA, these rules can be very particular—so

Thinking about buying a fixer-upper? Join the club. Blame it on the popularity of renovation reality TV or just the fact that people are searching for deals, but many home buyers are willing to

Millennial home buyers are going to some troubling lengths to foot the bill for their first homes, according to a new survey.Millennials are more likely than their older counterparts to fund their

Many homes across the United States are part of an HOA, or homeowners association. So what does that mean?In a nutshell, an HOA helps ensure that your community looks its best and functions.

Ever spend the night at a friend’s or relative’s house where they reveal some quirky shortcoming in their home? Say, the light switch in the guest room works the opposite way you'd expect (down

To embrace the fall season at home while your property is on the market, consider subtle details that keep your decor from going overboard.As you consider the best way to sell a house, one thing to

Decorating any part of a home, especially outdoor space, lets you tap into the creative side of your brain.But when the space is a small terrace or patio, too much creativity can be a bad thing.

Owning a home means you can build equity, take advantage of tax deductions, and partake in a little something called the American dream. For the past couple of years, the U.S. homeownership rate has

WASHINGTON—A type of unconventional mortgage that focuses on a borrower’s assets to vet repayment ability has drawn a warning from regulators for banks to maintain tight underwriting standards

Owning a home is likely your biggest asset, but also your biggest expense. Between the mortgage, insurance, unexpected repairs like roof damage, property taxes, and possibly homeowners association

Buyers put a lot of their focus on the kitchen. After all, it can be one of the most expensive rooms to remodel and its features and conditions can make or break a sale.Designers recently shared a

Congratulations: You're moving out, and on to your next home! Now all you have to do is pack up your things and skedaddle, right?Not so fast. If you're still trying to sell your current home, you'll

WASHINGTON—Sales of previously owned U.S. homes picked up in July, suggesting that lower mortgage rates are beginning to drive sales after a weak spring selling season.Existing-home sales rose 2%

They don't call it a forever home for nothing. Most of us buy with the intent of staying a long time—sometimes indefinitely. But here's the rub: Things change. Life takes us in a different

Wondering how to buy land? There's something thrilling about the idea of buying your own piece of vacant land—raw, untouched real estate on which you can build your dream home from the ground up.

What makes a home really special? Whether it is a grand mansion or a two-bedroom apartment, what are the attributes that the trained eye of a real estate expert are zeroing in on when she views a

Whether you're buying or selling a home, one question that's always front and center is the price: How much is a home worth? That's a tricky question to answer, but probably the best starting point

Should you prepay

Even if you’re new to this whole selling-a-house thing, chances are good you’ve heard of a home appraisal. And if you know just a little about the process, you know that the appraisal—a value

Pending home sales rose in June, with activity particularly brisk in the western part of the U.S., a trade group said Tuesday.The National Association of Realtors® said pending home sales climbed 2

Need a crash course on real estate terms? This glossary will get you started.DTI, PMI, LTV … TBH, it can be hard to keep all this stuff straight. This lexicon of real estate terms and acronyms

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is set to eliminate a regulatory loophole that made getting a mortgage more feasible for thousands of Americans.The consumer watchdog agency announced this

Once you make an offer on a home and it's accepted, there's a process lasting a few weeks before you close the transaction. During this window of time, buyers are often told to "do their due

Bumble's relationship pros explain how to get over the house that stole your heart.You had such big dreams for the two of you. You were ready to make the big commitment. You thought you’d grow old

The idea of moving can sound like a great adventure, but for most people, the actual process of moving is a giant headache, or much worse. In fact, a lot of people equate it to some of life's

Buying a foreclosure home, also known as a distressed property, might seem like a less expensive way to get into your next place. These homes usually sell for about 15% below the home's actual.

Some would argue that there are few household chores worse than laundry—the tedious rinse-and-repeat cycle that sprawls over our domestic calendars. After all, there's a reason it's called

When you’re in the middle of selling a home and buying a new one, the question inevitably comes up: Can’t I just use the same agent for both transactions—wouldn’t that make things easier?

Installing smoke alarms is a task that most homeowners can tackle on their own. But proper installation and maintenance are vital to ensuring that your alarm actually works in an emergency. However,

You’ve lived in your home for years and haven't exactly been on top of regular maintenance tasks. Now, your windows are covered in plastic wrap to cut down on the cold drafts, your ceiling seems

Quite a bit has changed since the housing bubble burst and the world plunged into a bleak recession. Rampant layoffs have been replaced by a booming economy and hiring sprees. A housing market

Whether it’s a luxurious $45 million estate in California or a modest $250,000 two-bedroom house in Ohio, marketing a home’s stress-relieving qualities is a growing trend. Today, developers,

A retaining wall is a practical outdoor feature that can help keep your yard in top form, but it's often overlooked—or misunderstood. In its most basic form, it's a structure that holds soil in

The right level of curb appeal can make neighbors do a double take—for the right reasons. Plus, it can up your property's resale value. Improving your curb appeal often includes manicured

On a recent Sunday night my husband came out to the garden, where I had been working since dawn. He looked concerned.“What are you doing?” he asked in the sort of gentle tone a staff

With soaring prices, hordes of competition, and a dearth of properties for sale, snagging the right home for the right price is no easy task. And it's even worse for first-time buyers.Of the buyers

Other survey insights underscore frustration with the home buying processYou’ve listed your home for sale, and no one is taking the bait. One month passes, then two. How long do you wait before

What is a water hammer? When something goes bump in the night, it could be water moving through your valves and pipes. But when you hear loud banging coming from your plumbing or valves, it's a

Selling your house is not as simple as just putting it on the market and waiting for offers from eager buyers to roll in. (Ah, if only...) If you have any hope that your sale will go smoothly, you

The much discussed—and, in some quarters, much feared—housing slowdown may be coming to an end.The real estate softening that began last summer, marked by a surge in homes hitting the market and

What is a tankless water heater? Also called “demand-type” or “instantaneous water heaters,” these devices deliver warm water only when you want it. Conventional water heaters, on the other

Mulch, a layer of organic material laid over your soil, is a gardener's secret weapon. When done correctly, mulching can conserve the soil’s moisture, slow the erosion process, and help to

Many homeowners who purchase a fixer-upper say it was because they believed they’d save money. But they actually end up spending about the same or more than if they had opted for a move-in-ready

Dogs have such a negative reaction to some of the activities associated with the Fourth of July – fireworks, parades, parties, alcohol consumption – you’d think they’re unpatriotic.Of,

While many homeowners reach a point where they decide to sell their place, here's an alternative I'm considering for my own home: Rather than sell, I may rent it out instead.When I bought my condo

These days, house flipping is a popular concept. There are entire TV shows devoted to it. It may even be something you’ve thought about doing yourself.The premise is simple: You buy a home that

Imagine attending an open house and stepping into a newly remodeled master bathroom complete with brand-new Carrara marble tiling and a luxurious free-standing tub. Home improvements like this are

What is a hard money lender? The real estate term may conjure up visions of crooked-nosed guys who'll cut off a borrower's pinkie finger for flaking on a hard money loan. But you can rest assured

Do you get your earnest money back at closing? If you're buying a house and planning to finance the purchase with the help of a mortgage, the question is bound to come up. The short answer is: You

Ellie Mae report shows borrowers are in better shape financiallyA strong labor market coupled with lower borrowing costs has put Americans in better shape to get a mortgage, based on average FICO

Taking on a home renovation can improve your property's value, remedy any nagging structural or cosmetic flaws, and generally make your place way more comfortable to live in. All good!But hold on:

Planning to remodel your bathroom into the oasis of your dreams? Then you'd better get a handle on your plumbing. Even if you don't see the pipes connected to your sink or shower, understanding how

Looking to make your outdoor area more livable? Consider adding a hardscape feature to complement your plants and flowers. A decked-out backyard can give a big boost to your property's value, and

Rates for home loans mostly held steady, and even declined slightly, as investor jitters about a slowing economy and geopolitics continued to keep bonds attractive.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage

In the real estate game, many buyers understand that knowing a home's days on market (DOM) is absolutely critical intel. Why? Because the number of days a home spends on the market directly affects

Eco-friendly living is all about choosing materials and practices that are beneficial to the environment. But did you know this can also include your renovation process and the materials you use?�

Is it time to turn your en suite bathroom into a personal oasis? Before you start poring over which tiles or slipper tub to install, know that the far more crucial choice is to find the right

Homeowners are increasingly living out their HGTV fantasies by remodeling their homes, with a particular focus on taking their kitchens and bathrooms from drab to fab.Homeowners spent the most on

Home sellers are often told to make upgrades to their house before they sell ... but when is the best time to get those home improvements underway, in terms of scoring the best ROI?It's a tough

Buying a home is a complicated process that involves sharing sensitive information with multiple people. And the latest major data leak highlights the risk consumers take on when they share that

Selling a home can be a long, time-consuming process, especially if the seller and potential buyers butt heads. Sometimes, the issues behind a deal-making deadlock are legitimately big. Other times,

In a perfect world, you'd have a sprawling backyard with enough room to plant everything from tulips to turnips. But in reality? Many of us have a very small outdoor space.And no, we're not talking

If you're lucky enough to own more than one property, or have an in-law unit just sitting empty behind your house, the thought has surely occurred to you: Why not just make back some cash by renting

IF YOU ARE BUYING OR selling a house, odds are you're hyper-focused on the layout, the closet space and the yard – all aspects that a homeowner can't easily change. But another important

Let's face it: Housecleaning isn't how most of us would ideally spend our free time. We put it off and off and off, until we can't ignore the mess any longer. And when we do finally get around to

Moving is the worst. But for those who can be flexible in scheduling their move, choosing the right season to relocate can make the whole experience smoother. So which time of the year is most

If you're looking for a better way to get a feel for a new neighborhood, consider a tactic some recent homebuyers in New York have put to use: Because they are seriously considering moving to a

Applying for

When is the best time to sell your house? Timing can make a big difference in terms of selling your home quickly and for the most cash. But here's the thing: The rules on pinpointing that best time

If you’re like most homeowners, your house is a host of tiny irritations you keep meaning to fix but never do. Maybe it’s a light fixture you constantly bang your head on, or wallpaper you’ve

How much does a backyard renovation cost? It's a question that many homeowners ponder if they're on the verge of upgrading their yard from an overgrown thicket to a beautifully landscaped oasis. But

What's the most common home-buying mistake? If you're reading this from a cramped living room, or while lying in your itty-bitty "master" bedroom, you probably know the answer: buying a too-small

What's the best flooring to boost your home's resale value? Whether you're selling your place or are just thinking about replacing what's under your feet with something shiny and new, you'll want to

An overhyped stereotype about millennials is that they’re entitled narcissists who can’t be bothered to do homework, legwork or even stash a few dollars in the bank (see avocado toast). That

Ginnie Mae is taking steps to curb repeated mortgage refinancings that it says are hurting both borrowers and investors.The government-backed firm, which promotes homeownership by guaranteeing

Wondering how to get a real estate listing removed from the internet? Whether you're a seller who's withdrawn your house from the market, or a buyer who's just closed on a new place, fielding

Conventional wisdom dictates that one of the more successful tactics out there to convince a home seller to accept your offer is get personal: Include some sweet and heartfelt information to them in

You’ve spent months—perhaps years—searching for the perfect house, and you've finally found it. But you're not alone; there's a very strong chance that other home shoppers are vying for it,.

In the best-case scenario, your bathroom is your own blissful retreat—a little slice of spa heaven where you can unwind without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.In reality, your bathroom

Home sellers often hear that if they ever hope to find a buyer, they must whip their house into perfect shape—fix this, paint that, overhaul your horribly outdated kitchen. But just looking at the

Despite a real estate slowdown gripping the nation, this year's housing market is expected to be busier than realtor.com® economists originally predicted late last year. That means more home—

You've heard it before: Conserving water is important. With all the water that Americans use each day—an estimated 322 billion gallons—every action you take, no matter how small, can contribute

While many people turn out for Earth Day events that ironically generate tons of trash, this eco-holiday offers an opportunity to create lasting change in your habits that can lessen your impact on

Spring is in the air and homebuyers are coming out of hibernation. With the holidays over and the weather warming up, it’s the time of year that's typically considered a hot period for the housing

After hitting a low point last month, mortgage interest rates are continuing to tick back up along with activity in the home-buying market for spring.Rates rose to an average 4.17% on a 30-year-

Get ready for Gen Z. People between the ages of 18 and 23 are eager to become homeowners, and many are already setting aside money for a down payment.More than half of Gen Zers surveyed said they

If you hire a real estate agent to help you buy, sell, or rent a house, this professional gets paid through a real estate commission. So how much do you pay, and what for? Is there any wiggle room

Rates for home loans edged up after reports showed the economy was shrugging off its winter sluggishness.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.12% during the April 11 week, mortgage guarantor

Mortgage interest rates are a mystery to many of us—whether you're a home buyer in need of a home loan for your first house or your fifth.After all, what does “interest rate” even mean? Why do

Although housing prices are finally beginning to cool, there's no denying that much of the nation is still in a seller's market.Case in point: The rat-infested Orange County, CA, "hoarder home" that

As mortgage interest rates dropped to their lowest levels in over a year last week, home owners and buyers raced to submit their refinance and other loan applications before rates start going up

The unused square footage in your attic can be renovated to increase the livable space in your home. However, if the project isn’t done correctly, you can have a major problem on your hands.

My husband and I recently purchased our first rental property. Over the past few months, we’ve repaired and renovated the 1930s-era home, and are starting to look for tenants.And it turns out our

What is a reverse mortgage? Most home buyers applying for a loan know what a mortgage is, but a reverse mortgage may seem far less familiar. Maybe you've heard this mortgage term bandied about, and

Many thrifty homeowners would rather save a few bucks by taking on upgrades themselves (after a few hours binge-watching HGTV and YouTube tutorials, of course) than by calling in the professionals

A good basement renovation can provide extra living space and increase the value of your home, so for most homeowners, fixing it up is a no-brainer if they have the cash. But a botched remodel can

Have you ever wondered, "How much home insurance do I need?" Well, you might, especially when you're faced with a lengthy list of policy options from your insurance agent. Do you really need all

Welcome to your home tax deduction checklist! For homeowners, this kind of guidance is essential in the wake of all the (confusing) changes ushered in by the new tax plan, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

For the past few years, home sellers have been in the driver's seat. With hordes of buyers fighting over a very limited supply of properties, many homes sold in days—and landed their sellers a

Knowing how to clean a refrigerator is an essential part of home maintenance. Most people open their fridge multiple times a day, but you'd be surprised by how infrequently fridges actually get

The cost of owning a house includes more than just your monthly mortgage payment. Home improvements and repairs also take up a large amount of your budget, but they're essential to maintaining—and

Home sellers have a lot to worry about: Will anyone want to buy their property for its full asking price? How long will it take to find a buyer? Is it really worth the expense and trouble of staging

Mortgage rates skidded last week to the lowest level in a year.Freddie Mac said the 30-year benchmark mortgage rate fell 10 basis points to 4.31% in the week ending March 14.The 15-year fixed rate

There are a lot of steps to buying a house, and that takes time: It takes 50 days on average to just close on a home.How long does it take to buy a house? A lot depends on how much time you spend

Buy Your First Home in One Year: A Step-by-Step GuideThe ultimate timeline ensures the smoothest of transitions.A real yard. Closets bigger than your average microwave. The freedom to decorate

A bathroom remodel can add value to a home, but it also has the potential to be a huge headache. Why? There are many opportunities for missteps.“Bathrooms are often the hardest spaces to remodel

You may be wondering if there are tax deductions when selling a home. And the answer is: You bet!But there's also a new tax code—aka the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—causing quite a bit of confusion

A mortgage is probably the largest debt you’ll ever have, and paying it off is a significant achievement. But credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion might not be as thrilled.�

Chances are good you know all about  your credit score. Also called a FICO score, this magical number is a major factor in many financial transactions,

What is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale? Foreclosures and short sales are both options for homeowners who fall behind on mortgage payments, but it's important to understand the

What is a short sale? Let's break it down. Say you're selling your home; however, the offer you get is so low, it won't cover the total amount you owe on your mortgage. But you need to unload it, so

What are the tax benefits of owning a home? Homeowners might be wondering this right around now as they prepare to file their taxes. Especially since the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—the most

Remember when you first moved in to your house? Ah, what a feeling.You felt like your home was made just for you: It fit your budget, your goals, and even your personality. In short, you fell in.

Here's what every first-time home buyer needs to know to dive into house hunting with confidence—and with as few curveballs as possible. Whether it's getting a mortgage, choosing a real estate

Few home sales fall through once they reach pending status, but that doesn't mean all parties don't have plenty of work to complete before closing day. Few moments are as exciting for both a home

Home buyers love to get the most space for their money. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 66% of millennials cite more living space as the No. 1 reason for buying a house. So if you’re

Of all the scary hazards that could exist in your home, electrocution is one that should not be taken lightly. There's always a risk of being shocked by some of those handy products you use in your

Those essential but utilitarian home items, such as electrical cords, radiators, and AC units, aren't exactly the prettiest room features. But you can't really rip them out—especially if you're a

One of the most confusing and misleading metrics in real estate is area — the "size" of a house.Like most aspects of owning or purchasing a house, measuring the square footage of a home is

In this day in age, working from home has become both increasingly popular and feasible. If you are looking to buy a new home with plans to have a home office, keep in mind some of these factors so

Not all home improvements are created equal. These will reward you the most when it comes time to sell.Your home is in the perfect location, came at the perfect price, with the perfect lot. (Yay

Every seller wants their home to stand out from the crowd, and that often means beefing it up with shiny new improvements before putting it on the market. But sometimes owners go overboard, and the

It's that time of year when truly scary stuff is happening outside our doors. Flu season is in full swing, a mystery polio-like illness has affected people in more than two dozen states, and we're

The blustery winter months are already here for some regions of the country, and for others the coldest part of the year is coming fast.Whether you expect to cross-country ski to work in the first

The best way to get potential buyers through the door and interested in your home is with a stellar online listing. Photos of the house and a description of the property are standard fare, but not

You've finally found your dream home, and it's actually in your budget. You can swing it—with cash to spare—but with competition fierce, why not go all in and offer way above asking? The seller

Why go out and blow a ton of money when you can stay in—and invite people over to your beautifully landscaped backyard? And why would you want to sign up for a crowded yoga class when you can get

Does your home's paint look dated and faded? Don't despair—there's another way to give your house a makeover without the drudgery of taping and rolling: Make your friends do it!A paint party is an

Mold is unsightly in appearance, unpleasant to smell, and sometimes unhealthy to humans.“While some types of home mold just look and smell bad, other types, such as black mold, can be very,�

Whether you’re self-employed or applying for an FHA or USDA loan, here’s the pre-approval paperwork you need.If you’re serious about buying a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a

There’s no such thing as a convenient time for something to break in your home. But winter is particularly risky because the loss of heat in your home or water damage can quickly escalate, which

Overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering your home? Then it's time to start small by tackling the smallest organizing project in your home: your bathroom.Bathrooms are clutter magnets. It makes

Rates for home loans slid again, even as the ongoing government shutdown poses a fresh threat for a wobbly housing market.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.45% in the January 10 week,

We’ve all been there—barely surviving the morning rush hour of making lunches, signing permission slips, and searching for matching socks. Then after a busy day at work and school comes the

Consider these options before making a decision that could leave you financially or legally strapped.Dividing your assets in a divorce settlement is tough, and there's no way to split a co-owned

Neighborhoods just aren't the same as they used to be.Gone are the days when everyone on your street knows you and waves when you pass one another by. One recent study by the City Observatory found

With winter roaring in at full speed, it's time to brush up on your furnace maintenance skills. After all, you wouldn't expect your car to run at top efficiency if you never change the oil, right

We won't sugarcoat it: The thought of doing home maintenance right now is pretty blah—especially with the holidays looming and weeks of gloomy winter days on the horizon. Who wants to do housework

'Tis the season for binge cleaning. We've got your step-by-step guide to preparing your house for holiday guests.When it comes to the holidays, it can be overwhelming to prepare your house for all

According to a 2016 study from the Wine Institute, the average American drinks nearly three gallons of wine each year, making the U.S. the largest wine-consuming nation per capita. With stats like

After children grow up and leave the nest, their parents may enjoy their newfound freedom for a while. But as those parents grow older, they and their adult kids may think about living close

There comes a time in many people’s lives—usually when the words “baby” or “school district” become a regular part of the vocabulary—when people flee the glamorous city to the charming

When you buy a product or service for your home, you want peace of mind that you're getting your hard-earned money's worth. If things happen (and they do happen), you want to know the company will

Want to learn how to buy a house for your grown child? Being able to help your grown kids become homeowners can really give them a leg up—particularly in this pricey housing market.“Between

You should never buy a new house before selling your old home ... at least, that’s the conventional wisdom. Because if you buy before you sell, you run the risk of owning two homes at once—and

If you own a home but are ready to move onto a bigger and better abode, one of the most important questions to ponder before you embark on this transition is this: Should you sell before you buy, or

Most potential home buyers wait to talk to

Every seller wants their home to stand out from the crowd, and that often means beefing it up with shiny new improvements before putting it on the market. But sometimes owners go overboard, and the

For those of us who live in cold-weather climates, the winter months are synonymous with hibernation mode. Who wants to go outside when you have to shovel 2 feet of snow just to see the sidewalk?But

How long does it take to improve your credit score? If you're hoping to buy a home, having a good credit score is key, since it helps you qualify for

If you're a homeowner, you've probably heard and read plenty of home improvement advice. It just kind of comes with the territory, right? In fact, the second you sign the mortgage, your fellow

We're entering the home stretch of 2018, when you can actually say, "See you next year!" to someone you'll see in just a few weeks. It's a time to look ahead, to make new plans, to achieve new.

Spring is generally the most popular time of year to sell a house, with hordes of buyers looking to move into a new place before the school year begins. But if you decide to sell your home during

Gone are the days when all you needed to get buyers to come take a look at your home was a "For Sale" sign out front and a bit of curb appeal. Long gone, actually. Ancient history!These days,

Cleaning the house is a must before guests arrive. Yet while we'll bet your countertops sparkle and your floors gleam, there are a few cleaning tasks that probably fell off your to-do list ... and

Old house smell: Those three dreaded words evoke something rather frightening and repellent to most homeowners. You know what we're talking about, right? It's that musty odor that creeps up and

The affluent Chicago suburb of Lake Forest seemingly has it all: sprawling estates, major corporate employers, country clubs, beaches on Lake Michigan, and two symphony orchestras. A few years ago,

Actuarial report reveals insurance fund is in good health, but Montgomery says premiums will standThe Federal Housing Administration released details on the health of its flagship Mutual Mortgage

“Why are you selling your house?” might seem like a perfectly innocent question from home buyers, but watch out—if you're the home seller they're asking, this is one of the diciest questions

When you host a party, there can be a disproportionate amount of stress over the condition of your bathroom. It's the place your guests will likely spend the least amount of time, but also the place

Nothing can put a damper on your holiday hosting schedule quite like a living room you're embarrassed to share with your guests. After all, it's hard to send out party invites when you cringe at the

Gray skies don’t have to mean a drab indoor life.As fall continues and the days become shorter, it’s too tempting to just hibernate until spring. But there is, indeed, joy to be found in the

So, the last box has finally been unpacked, or at least tucked away in the garage. The shelf paper has been laid, and the hardwood floors are gleaming.Now it’s time to throw open the doors, pour a

How long does it take to build credit history? If you ever plan to buy a house, establishing a track record of past payments is essential, because it proves

Insulating your attic might not be the sexiest home renovation project around, but it's probably one of the most practical home improvements you can make. Think about it: Every ounce of insulation

The DIY gurus make it look so easy. Home bloggers and HGTV hosts would have us believe that no kitchen project is out of reach for the average homeowner. But take heed: Even the most ambitious among

Need to know how to sell a home fast, even though the holidays are speedily approaching? If you're thinking of throwing up your hands and giving up hope until the new year, we're here to offer hope:

Need to know how to buy a home fast since you're hoping to be settled in before the holidays? Then the pressure's definitely on at this point! If you have any hope to host your Thanksgiving feast

More Americans became homeowners in the summer months, fresh evidence of a housing market that’s finding some stability after several rocky years.The national homeownership rate was 64.4% in the

Here are your options for starting from scratch, finding a builder and customizing your home.Sometimes, buying an existing home just won’t work. You may be a homebuyer who’s tired of competing

The composition of American households is evolving. In 2018, there are more single female homeowners than ever before in our history.Patricia Ramos, a single 63-year-old medical clerk in St.

Nevermind the heartfelt personal letters. For aspiring home buyers in today's cutthroat housing market, the secret to success is no secret at all: money, and lots of it.Buyers who successfully close

Your negotiating power and freedom to shop for a home may hinge on the information you provide to your mortgage lender.Preapproved vs. Prequalified: Which Is Best When You're House Hunting?Before

Home Buyers Need 7.2 Years to Save Down Payments – 1.5 Years More Than in 1988Buyers these days need 7.2 years to save a 20 percent down payment on the median valued home. That’s up from 5.7

How to keep your online orders from falling into thieves' hands.Few things can match the excitement and ease of receiving a package delivered to your front step.That is, until a stranger snags the

Newsflash: Moving stinks—and it can be even worse when you don't know how to get a moving estimate you can trust. This can lead to massive misunderstandings, when movers quote you one price before

What are some questions to ask a home inspector after he's finished the inspection? Because, let's face it, just staring at that hefty report highlighting every flaw in your future dream home can

Rates for home loans fell in tandem with the bond market, a welcome respite for the housing market after a recent run-up in home financing costs.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.85% in the

If you're house hunting, you're probably getting snowed with advice from well-meaning friends and family members on which neighborhoods are hot, how so-and-so is selling a place you have to see ...

Finding your dream home is an exciting adventure that, at times, can also feel all-consuming. On a good day, it's fun to swipe through listings and whiz through every open house in your area, but

What is a recast mortgage? While it sounds more like a fishing trip than a financing tool, it's actually where you pay off a lump sum of your principal (that's the money you owe), then have your

It’s easy and fun to plan home improvements, but not all projects have the same impact on your home’s value, so you must plan carefully. Here’s a summary of how to get the most bang for your

Have a short time horizon, do your homework and know your market.INVESTORS LOOKING FOR creative ways to maximize returns in a competitive, hot-selling real estate market may be interested in buying

Curious about how to buy a house in your 20s? If you're dubious it can be done, we get it. Between entry-level salaries, college loans, and the desire to just be young and have fun, 20-somethings

Where do home renovation myths start? Maybe in the aisles of your local hardware store or parking lot of the lumber yard. They get traded back and forth and whispered to people who may actually

How long does it take to refinance a mortgage? Refinancing should take anywhere from 30 to 45 days on average, although that can stretch to 60 days if you hit any snags along the way. In other:

What are some questions to ask a home inspector? If you're buying a house, you know that your home inspector will check it out and make sure it's in decent shape. So if you want to get to know your

A newly built house still needs maintenance to keep things from breaking down over time.Buying a new home from a builder means you won’t have to spend time getting used to any loose floorboards,

WASHINGTON—The number of U.S. existing homes going under contract declined in August for the fourth time in five months, reflecting what appears to be a broader slowdown in the housing market.The

Rates for home loans jumped along with yields in the broader bond market, taking financing costs to a recent high and raising fresh questions about the effect of another headwind on a housing market

You love your home, but spacewise, you’re bursting at the seams. Building an extension seems daunting, but moving out of your fabulous neighborhood is off the table. Hmm ... you do have that two

The science behind calculating the value of your home and what it means for your home's sale price.Getting ready to sell your house, looking to refinance or buying a new homeowners insurance�

You may need to adjust your mindset before walking into a house advertised as move-in ready.If you’re like many homebuyers in today’s market, you’re looking for a house that’s ready for you

Spring is overrated for planting perennials, shrubs and trees. Starting plants in autumn has advantages for both garden and gardenerFall is the best time to garden, and it’s about time we realized

Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on treesIn fall my town holds leaf collection days, when homeowners (or their landscape services) blow or rake

Mistakes in the homebuying process are common, whether it's the first home you're buying or the fifth. One of the best ways to avoid taking a misstep when purchasing real estate is to understand the

You’ve found the perfect house, located right near that cool new shopping area and the best schools. It even has the right number of bathrooms! Swoon. It's time to sign the paperwork and move...

Study sheds light on factors influencing older homeownersFewer older homeowners are paying off their mortgages in retirement, and some are worried the trend may have a lasting impact on the

Although cost causes concern, demand is persistentAlthough homebuilders still fear increasing material costs, homebuilder confidence remained unchanged at 67 in September, according to the National

Rates for home loans rose to a six-week high as upbeat economic data and a bulging deficit spurred a yield-lifting bond sell-off and big questions gripped the housing market.The 30-year fixed-rate

Tight inventory is making house flipping more of a gamble, but that's not stopping ambitious investors from giving it a shot.Back in 2012, house flipping seemed like the perfect opportunity for a

What is debt-to-income ratio? This equation, comparing how much money you owe to the money you make, affects whether you can qualify for a mortgage—but let’s unpack this important term into

Price Cuts Becoming More Common, Especially at the High End About 14 percent of all listings across the U.S. had a price cut in June 2018, up from a recent low of 11.7 percent near the end of.

But there are reasons Boomers aren't moving out of their family homes.Baby Boomers are not ready to let go. The approximately 70 million Americans between 54 and 73 years old are not downsizing into

Help ensure your home's growth in value by making improvements that keep it on par with the best houses in the neighborhood.U.S. homeowners with mortgages have seen their home equity increase nearly

Recent sales of nearby homes can be a significant factor when determining the value of your house.Understanding your home’s value is an important part of knowing your net worth, what you’ll

The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced that construction spending during July 2018 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.32 billion, 0.1% above the revised

To get your home sold, you have to tackle a rather long to-do list. Some of these tasks are well-known, and some are just good ol' common sense—like finding a real estate agent and spreading the

It should come as no surprise that before you sell your home, you've got to make it sparkle—after all, prospective buyers will be peeking in every cabinet, corner, and closet they can get into.But

The housing market has made little progress over the past year or so, and this summer, the wind officially seems to have gone out of its sails. One after another, the economic data reports have

How to price a home in a seller's market may be a question that's top of mind if you're listing your home. Much of the United States right now is a seller's market—which spells potential for major

If you're a first-time mortgage borrower, you might be asking yourself, "What is MIP?" Home buyers considering getting a loan from the Federal Housing Administration will find MIP, or mortgage

What is a mortgage note? Also known as a promissory note or deed of trust note, it's the basic loan contract given to you by your lender—the document you signed on the dotted line to make your

When buying a house is high on your priority list and you spot The One—the house that has everything you've ever dreamed of and more—it can be tempting to put pedal to the metal and close the

Fewer U.S. workers are moving around the country to seek new job opportunities, as changing family ties and more openings near home make people less willing to uproot their lives for work.About 3.5

Getting a mortgage is easy, right? You’ve seen the TV commercials and the billboard ads touting promises like, “Get approved for a mortgage today!” Well, sorry to break the news, but the

Transporting philodendrons and fiddle-leaf figs during a move can be tricky, so knowing how to ship plants is very useful.Few moving companies are willing to throw plants on the truck, especially

Mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure rates in the U.S. dropped to their lowest level for may in the past 12 years, according to the latest Loan Performance Insights report from CoreLogic, a