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Given the recent state of the economy and the rising rate of mortgage foreclosures, the number of properties available at rock bottom prices is at an all time high.

Homeowner’s Associations: What You Need To Know

As you begin looking for a home to purchase, you will start to come across houses that have a homeowner’s association.

The traditional view of home ownership usually includes a married couple, but times have changed, and more and more single women are entering the housing market.

Often ads for homes on the market include the phrase “motivated seller,” and while this sounds as if it may be to your benefit as a home buyer, what does it actually mean?  If a seller is truly motivated you can benefit from a number of potential perks they may be willing to throw in to get their home sold, or they may even be willing to accept a lower offer than the asking price.

Finding A Neighborhood With Great Schools

If you have children, or even if you don’t yet but plan to in the future, schools are something you will need to take into consideration when you search for a new home.

Making An Offer: Negotiating Your Buying Price

There is perhaps no more exciting and nerve-wracking time in the home buying process than when you decide to make an offer on a home.

There is a reason the term “location, location, location” is used so commonly within the real estate industry.

How Much Yard Do You Need?

You probably have spent a good deal of time considering how much space you need inside your home, but what about how much space you need on the outside of it?  House hunting with an idea of the square footage you are seeking is a good idea, but in addition to that you should have an idea of how much yard space you will need around your new dwelling as well.

When the housing market is up and sales seem to favor sellers rather than buyers, negotiation contract contingencies may seem like a lost cause.

The appeal of income properties and the potential for what may seem like easy money and early retirement have likely crossed the mind of anyone who has heard of this business venture.

When it comes to a home, you have two options: buy or rent.

A home warranty plan, also known as a home protection plan, is a service contract that offers homeowners a way to safeguard themselves against possible breakage or a malfunction within the home.

When it comes to buying a home, the ability and willingness to negotiate is a must for both the buyer and seller.

As the old saying goes, real estate is all about location, location, location.

Now that you’ve made the decision to purchase your first home, a hearty congratulations is in order!  Becoming a homeowner, especially for the first time, can stir up some feelings of anxiety and excitement.

Should You Consider A Condominium Or Townhome?

If you are buying a new home on a tight budget, one of the options that will come to your attention is purchasing a condominium or townhome instead of a standard single family home.

When purchasing a home, especially for the first time, you are going to encounter a lot of terms and jargon you may never have heard before.

A Nice Home Or A Nice Neighborhood: Which Matters More?

When you start shopping for a home, you probably have a very specific image of what you would like that home to look like.

Once you’ve made the decision to buy a home, it’s time to start thinking about what comes next.

If you are selling your home and are motivated to get the deal done quickly, you may be tempted to accept a low bid.

If you’re selling your home, there are a number of things you can do to improve your property’s potential value and appeal.

When selling your home, the last thing you want to do is invest more into it, but in most cases making a few repairs or renovations to your home before putting it on the market can really be worth the financial and time investment.

Simple Ideas To Make Your Home More Welcoming To Buyers

It may seem obvious, but many sellers fail to recognize that a home that feels, looks, and smells welcoming and homey will more likely raise a buyer’s interest when they come for a showing.

Every homeowner must set an asking price when listing their home on the market, but what happens when you don’t receive any offers?  Just as it’s important to know when it’s time to sell, it’s important to recognize the right time to reduce the price.

What Season Is Best To Sell?

So you are ready to sell your house, but you look out the window and see several feet of snow on the ground.

The process of selling your home at any time of the year can be a stressful experience, but if you are trying to sell your home during the busy holiday season it may seem to be almost impossible.

Selling A Home When You Have Kids

Selling a home is stressful for everyone, and having young children in the house can add to the stress for the parents.

Quick Clutter Fixes For Unexpected Showings

When you have to continue living in a home at the same time you are trying to sell it, keeping it ready for a showing at any time can be a challenge.

There is a lot more to putting your home up for sale than placing a sign on the front lawn.

The temptation to save yourself the cost of hiring a real estate agent when selling your home can be overwhelming, and with more websites, books, and other resources popping up that claim to give you all the know-how and tools you’ll need to sell your home yourself, why should you consider hiring a REALTOR® at all?  Like any job that requires a lot of insider knowledge and experience, hiring a REALTOR® will ensure that you are getting the best price for your house with the minimal amount of work and worry.

The Home Remodels That Will Most Increase Your Selling Price

So you are ready to sell, but you know that there are a few things in the home that could stand some updating in order to increase your selling price.

Showing your home is essential in the real estate business.

In addition to location and condition, the asking price of a home is at the top of the list of important considerations.

Once you’ve made the decision to sell your home, it’s time to think about what comes next.

Anything that could be potentially harmful to the new occupant or the home itself must be addressed in the seller’s disclosure.

How Long Should You Keep Your Home On The Market?

Many a home seller has been there—the house has been on the market for months and there is no sign of a sale.

When listing your home with a REALTOR®, you will be required to sign an agreement.

The process of selling your home can be a stressful and time-consuming event.

As adults, we often assume that gardening is designed exclusively for us.

Sealing Your Windows And Doors Against Leaks

When it comes to making sure your home is energy-efficient as well as keeping it at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, there are few things as simple as looking to your windows and doors to make a big difference.

When the temperature outside begins to fall, our heating bills quickly start to rise.

To clean your home is to free it from dirt, pollutants and other elements.

A patio offers a relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors while still getting a sense of home.

When it comes to entertaining outdoors, there’s no place quite like your very own backyard.

Bird watching is a popular past time that is shared by many, but what if watching your fluttering friends was as simple as peeking into your backyard?  Thanks to a few landscaping techniques, you can trade in your binoculars for a lawn chair and enjoy bird watching from the convenience and comfort of your own home.

Making sure that your home is secure should be a priority in your life not only because you want to protect what’s rightfully yours, but more specifically because it could be the most important thing that you do for your family and for yourself.

When you save on energy, you also save money.

Moving can be a stressful time, however, there are several things that you can do to make your move a smooth one.

Let’s face it, most of us have at some point thought about the luxury of spending relaxing and romantic evenings soaking in our very own hot tub.

Flowers are used for many purposes, including landscaping, weddings, gifts and even to decorate the interior of your home.

If you are planning to entertain outdoors, then you may also be considering the addition of an outdoor music system to help complete your theme.

Who hasn’t had a cupboard full of Tupperware come crashing down on their head?  And don’t we all have a drawer in our kitchen that holds every scrap of paper and useless knickknack we have ever owned?  While kitchen clutter may be a universal truth, it can also make using your kitchen a time consuming and frustrating task.

Let’s face it—two of the biggest issues most of us face in today’s world are concerns over the environment and the economy.

A pest is not just a word that’s used to describe an annoyance; in fact, it’s also the term given to a destructive animal that destroys crops, food and even livestock.

When it comes to decorating your home, there’s a lot more to consider than simply coordinating your window treatments with your carpet.

Storage Solutions For Your Child’s Toys

If you have children, you know how quickly they can accumulate toys and other items.

If you have a room that requires a feminine touch, don’t fret.

Give Your Old Furniture New Life

Old furniture doesn’t have to be put aside if the basic structure is still in good condition.

If you want a house to smell clean, you clean it.

When choosing a style of furnishing, color scheme, or fabrics for your new home, or when redecorating a room, plants often do not immediately spring to mind when considering what you need to complete your space.

Solar Lighting For Your Yard

One of the simplest, most economical and also eco-friendly ways to provide lighting in your yard is to use solar lights.

There is nothing like fresh fruits and vegetables from your own garden to give your health and taste buds a treat.

When moving day arrives, there’s nothing quite like the nagging feeling that you’re forgetting something.

Congratulations on your decision to start a new garden.

To many, a rose is one of the most beautiful flowers in existence.

A home is a place where we create precious memories with those that we love, which is why photos are a big part of what makes a house into a home.

The cool refreshing look of water on a hot summer’s day can make any homeowner wish they had a pool in their backyard, but making the decision about whether a pool is right for your property is more complicated than buying an inflatable bed with a cup holder.

It’s a known fact that the majority of accidents occur at home, which is why every household must be equipped with a first aid kit complete with all of the essentials needed to handle life’s unexpected and unfortunate events.

When you are planning to sell your home, a bathroom remodel may be one of the best places to increase your home’s value.

Whether you are looking to sell your home or just think it’s time for a new look to improve your curb appeal, giving your front porch a makeover is an easy and inexpensive way to give your home’s exterior a fresh look.

If you have a room that requires a masculine touch, don’t fret.

If you love your lawn, it’s only natural that you would want to give it the proper care to help give it a healthy appearance.

Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, it’s important to take the necessary steps to keep your home standing tall every day.

Homeowners who are thinking of selling are often warned against choosing bright and bold paint colors for their walls.

Now that you’ve decided to purchase a new home, it’s important to know what to expect throughout the loan process.

If you are in the market for a new home, it’s important that you know what type of loans are available to you.

Can You Buy A Home With No Down Payment?

Coming up with a down payment in today’s economy can be difficult.

Unfortunately, fraud and identity theft are increasing at an alarming rate every year, and mortgage fraud is one of the most important types of fraud from which you will want to protect yourself.

A predator is defined as one that preys on others, which is why some lenders have fittingly earned the title as predatory mortgage lenders.

If you are a first time homebuyer, navigating all the new information about homeownership, the home buying process, and mortgages can seem overwhelming.

With all the financial decisions that need to be made when purchasing a home, choosing the options that make the best sense for you can seem overwhelming.

Finding your credit rating can be an intimidating task, but for anyone hoping to purchase a home it is a necessary step.

Finding the perfect home is a task, but shopping for the best home loan can be even more tedious.

First Time Buyer Loan Tips

For first time buyers, the mortgage loan process can seem complex and confusing.

Applying For a Joint Mortgage Loan With Your Spouse

When you are ready to buy a home, applying for a mortgage is one of the first and most important steps.

The decision to purchase a home can be an exciting but sometimes confusing undertaking.

All About Home Equity Loans

You have probably heard a lot about home equity loans if you have spent any time at all looking at home financing options.

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a new home is affordability.

Interest Only Loans: What You Should Know

Of the many different types of home loans out there, interest only loans are one of the more unusual types.

Tips For Qualifying For a Better Interest Rate

When it comes to a home loan, the interest rate is a very important factor.

With mortgage rates on the lower side, the choice to cash in and refinance your mortgage may be tempting, but before you make that decision here are a few facts to help you decide if it is the best financial choice for you and your family.

Saving for a down payment can be a difficult and time-consuming task, but there are options for financing a home purchase other than saving or the traditional borrowing options.

Insurance And Property Taxes: Should You Add Them To Your Mortgage Payment?

When you buy a home, the mortgage payment isn’t the only regular expense you will have to consider.

How Much Cash Will You Need To Close?

For first time buyers, the amount of money that is needed to seal the deal can often come as a bit of a shock.

Purchasing a home with a low down payment is important for a number of reasons, including the buyer’s ability to have extra cash left over for closing costs, decorating expenses, upgrades and/or other essentials needed to turn their new house into a home.

Looking to buy your first home, but having trouble coming up with the down payment?  Typically you need to have between 5-50% of the purchase price of your home, so here are a few tips to help you save your down payment faster!

Save Your Tax Refund—Doing this alone for a few years may add up to a considerable amount to contribute to a down payment, especially if both you and your spouse commit to contributing the full amount.

Halloween is a great time of year to let the creativity go wild, and when decorating for this fun and family-oriented holiday, it really wouldn’t be complete without a jack-o’-lantern or two!  While carving pumpkins is the traditional way to create a jack-o’-lantern, if you have young children or kids who want to create jack-o’-lanterns without adult supervision, then it can be a dangerous and risky craft idea.

Halloween can be one of the most child-like and fun holidays of the year.

Celebrating New Year’s Eve With Children

Partying until midnight may not be in the cards for you come New Year’s Eve if you have small children.

Easter is often left out when thinking of holiday decorating, but since it is also the beginning of the spring season it is a great time to freshen up your home and add some of the lively and vibrant colors of the season.

Along with the Christmas festivities comes the desire to decorate your home with twinkling lights, wreaths, trees and even yard ornaments featuring the theme of the holidays.

Decorating for the Fourth of July is really a great and easy way to show your patriotic pride, and with our nation’s colors of red, white, and blue going so well together, it also couldn’t be easier.

Thanksgiving is an annual national holiday commemorating a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621.

Planning The Perfect Easter Egg Hunt

Searching for hidden treasures and tasty sweets is the biggest part of Easter for young children.

Safety Tips For Fourth Of July Fireworks

The Fourth of July is an exciting holiday filled with family and friends, backyard barbeques, and of course the main event—the fireworks.

Preparing Your Home For Holiday Guests

It’s wonderful having friends and family at your home to share the holidays, but it can also be a lot of work.

Whether it is Thanksgiving or Christmas, a small family gathering or a huge party, cooking the perfect turkey for the holidays is every chef’s goal.

A Mother’s Day Menu Your Kids Can Prepare

Mother’s Day is the perfect time for your children to show their love and appreciation for everything Mom does by preparing her a simple but delicious meal she will really appreciate.

Every June, we celebrate our love for dad with Father’s Day and, although we don’t always know exactly what gift to give that could possibly express our gratitude, it is possible to get him something that he will love.

On December 31 of every year, the world celebrates New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s is a great time to host a party for friends and family.

Every year, Valentine’s Day serves as a celebration of love, happiness and a commitment to those that you cherish.

Christmas is probably one of the easiest times of the year to use environmentally friendly decorating ideas, and given the more traditional decorating trends for the season and the ever increasing need for all of us to contribute to making the planet a greener place, it’s never been easier.

Planning The Perfect Memorial Day Barbeque

While the focus is often on the Fourth of July when it comes to backyard celebrations, Memorial Day is often a popular choice as well.

Memorial Day is usually spent watching the latest blockbuster film, but it is also a great time of year to get outside and celebrate the nice weather.

With times being as tough as they are, finding the money to make a special Valentine’s Day for your sweetheart can be difficult.

Hanukkah is a very special time of year on the Jewish calendar.

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Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time spent with family and friends.