By: Robert Clark Homebuyers inundated the US housing market in the first three months of 2017. But according to a newly released report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there weren’t nearly enough listings to keep up with demand, which in turn caused a spike in national home prices. NAR began tracking metro median […]
By Christina Pinkerman When new potential buyers pull up to a new house, they are just filled with excitement. They think about playing catch with their kids in the back yard. They may be thinking about relaxing in their new living room. The most important thing they are thinking is: “Could this be […]
Home shoppers may need to plan for more time than they realize when they’re starting the process of obtaining a mortgage. “Today’s mortgage process is very involved, particularly with regard to the documentation required, third-party verifications, and the independent appraisal process,” says Whitney Fite, president of Angel Oak Home Loans in Atlanta. “All of these […]
Do you belong to a professional association? There are many associations for home inspectors, but some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Make sure the association your home inspector names is a reputable, nonprofit trade organization. Will your report meet all state requirements? Also, make sure the […]
1.Tax benefits.The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home. 2.Appreciation. Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing-home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year […]
Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power-cleaning tips to try. Clean windows make a huge difference. Remove window screens and place them outside on a tarp or other clean, waterproof surface. […]