Contributed by Terri Engels When people think of crime-ridden locales, it may be images of bustling city backdrops that dance in their heads – the kind of area where you wake up to the sounds of sirens instead of the call of a rooster. While it’s true that bigger cities have a more tangible element of crime, it must be noted that rural areas have their own unique...

Posted on Oct 21 2015 - 9:47am by Housecall
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It’s our favorite time of year again —Halloween! Bring on the haunted houses, creepy costumes and goodies galore. Halloween also means it’s time for Zillow’s annual roundup of the best cities in the U.S. to take your little creatures trick or treating. Zillow’s research team has been data crunching around the clock to nail down the winners, introducing...

One Washington, D.C.-based developer is hitting the road to find new potential renters in their brand new (foodless) food truck. The JBG Companies is the creator of Dwell Direct, an outfit they deem a “mobile real estate experience.” The new truck is now the company’s mobile leasing office, furnished with a 60-inch touch screen, iPads, and wowing photos of...

50 Cent, rapper, actor, and Vitamin Water investor, owns one of the largest homes in America. At 51,657 square feet, his mega-compound found at 50 Poplar Hill Drive in Farmington, Conn. dominates the neighborhood it resides in. Considering its 52 rooms and 17 acres--including mountain views, nine kitchens, an NBA regulation-size basketball court, a helipad, and more--it’s...

Contributed by Anita Alvarez Foundation issues, mold problems, water damage – these are just a few home problems that can bring the strongest homeowner to his knees. While painting a room, replacing a broken light fixture and even minor electrical repair jobs may be within your purview, some jobs should be left to the pros. Foundation issues Perhaps the most dreaded...

“Comps” – or recent comparable sales – give real estate practitioners and appraisers the information they need to price a home at fair-market value. Though comparable data are clear-cut to a professional, how many sellers understand the various tangibles and intangibles that inform these comparisons? If the gap between seller perception and appraiser opinion...

For a home to remain in good shape throughout the winter it needs regular care and attention. When a home is occupied, many of the things that are necessary to keep it in good working order happen by default. But when the home is vacant, it is up to the owner or the property manager to prepare it for freezing temperatures and other winter risks. The worst risk comes...

From inspection issues and property liens to last-minute requests by the lender, twists in the real estate transaction lurk at every turn – and as we all know, the unexpected can stop a deal dead in its tracks. With that in mind (and the scariest time of year just around the corner!), RISMedia wants to know: What twist in the transaction almost cost the sale? Share...

Contributed by Rachel Rieger You know it’s important to set aside some savings for emergency home repairs, but it’s equally as important to spend money now to prevent what can turn into future disasters. So, don’t put it off for a rainy day (that is when you’re most likely to get a flooded basement, after all!). Invest in these five products for your home...

Contributed by Chan Plett It's finally yours. The paperwork's all signed and you've secured one of the most important investments of your life: your dream home! But, what happens next? Most new homeowners often find it difficult to transition into their new house or home, but the next five steps are key to a seamless move into the house or home you've been coveting. Step...