Pre-qualifying for a mortgage is often the first step towards owning a home. If you've never done this before, though, you might not know where to start. Here's some information that can help you to figure out how and when to apply for a loan this year: Pay Attention to Falling Rates One of the best ways to figure out when to apply for home loans is to keep track...
Housing markets that remained strong throughout 2020 in spite of the pandemic are poised to carry that momentum into the new year. According to realtor.com®'s newly-released Top Housing Markets of 2021 list, these areas all have several things in common. Each of these housing markets are relatively affordable compared to expensive metros like New York and Los Angeles;...
The home appraisal process can be a stressful time, whether you're buying or selling a property. It's the job of the appraiser to find the fair market value of the home. If their findings don't match the buyer's offer, there can be delays in the transaction. But if you know what appraisers look for, you might be able to prevent your house sale from running into problems. Related:...
When will we finally find relief? As COVID rages across the country and with no new stimulus checks coming in the immediate future, Americans living in metropolitan areas are seeing their problems compounded by a rise in the cost of living. A recent report released by Move.org found that a $1,200 stimulus check, similar to the ones distributed in April 2020, wouldn't...
By Anita Ginsburg You never expect a tragedy to strike, but they happen every day. It is often spontaneous and could happen to anybody. Of course, tragedy is a lot worse when you aren't prepared. That's why you need to prepare yourself for an emergency ahead of time. This will help you and your family get through anything that comes your way. Here are some tips to...
When you consider which cities have the smallest apartments in the U.S., which ones do you think of? Los Angeles? Almost certainly New York City, right? According to a recent Apartment Guide study, however, those two cities don't even crack their list of the top 25 cities with the smallest apartments. The apartment rental listing site utilized a straightforward methodology...
By Brooke Chaplan Most real estate professionals agree that a home's kitchen and bathroom are two of the biggest selling points for homebuyers. However, even if you're not planning to sell your home in the near future, you should want your bathroom to be as cozy and accommodating as possible since most people spend considerable time in that room each day. Related:...
By Meghan Belnap When it's time to have your home appraised, you want to be sure that it looks its absolute best. That's because a good appearance is more likely to result in a higher appraisal value, which means more money for you in the loan or other financial product that you're seeking. Related: 5 Quick Exterior Fixes Since the exterior of your home is the first...
With COVID cases spiking across the U.S., more and more people are returning home to work remotely. It’s more critical than ever to practice social distancing, but with so much more time spent at home, the relationships we have with our neighbors has taken on a renewed importance. Improvenet took notice and conducted a study to see how folks are getting along with...
By Anita Ginsburg
It's never convenient to have your water heater stop working, but it is even worse during the winter. To ensure your water heater is fit to last the entire season, here are some tips for routine maintenance that you can perform.
Related: Preparing Your Home to Stand Against the Cold, Snow and Ice of Winter
As you cover these points, you can...
