The assessed value versus the market value of a home are often very different leading to confusion among homeowners. They are viewed as something that should be similar but in reality, they are very different from each other. Usually, the assessed value of a home is...
Investing in real estate is becoming an increasingly popular method to build wealth. There are a variety of ways to invest in real estate, and a multitude of property types and strategies to consider. But, ultimately, in real estate investing it's essential to build a...
A contingent sale can be a challenging thing to handle, but they’re manageable if navigated properly. In real estate, a contingent sale sometimes means a buyer is unable to purchase a property without selling one they already own. This ultimately comes down to...
So you’re thinking about changing up your house. Are you remodeling, restoring, or renovating? How do you know which term applies to your project? Each word is used interchangeably by contractors, even though remodel, restoration, and renovation have very...
No, it’s not a vague mailing address - wait, it actually might be. But in real estate, a 1031 exchange is a swap of one investment property for another. It allows the deferring of capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes. What is a 1031 Exchange? The term gets...
iBuyers are a new category of real estate company that purchases homes directly from homeowners. The term iBuyer is short for “instant buyer” because they use automated valuation models (AVMs) to generate offers faster than typical buyers. Although iBuyers offer...
If you're a potential home buyer, you've probably estimated a mortgage payment. One of the items that makes up your monthly mortgage payment is property tax. In this article we cover what it is and how to determine your property tax. What is it? Quite simply,...
People are moving every single day, and all for various reasons. You may be a first-time homebuyer, or a seasoned veteran when it comes to buying and selling homes. Either way, one thing that’s certain is you have some sort of criteria that you’re looking for in...
House hacking. It’s one of the less popular terms in real estate. But you’ve probably heard of it without realizing there was an official name. Simply put, it is a strategy where you live in a primary residence, but also rent out portions of your home to offset the...
Traditional real estate agents make their money through a commission structure. Agents are paid directly for services rendered in the sale of or the purchase of property. But, how much commission does a realtor actually make? While this is public information that all...
Have you been watching too much HGTV lately? A side effect of this might be a strong desire to learn how to flip a house. Or maybe you’ve been searching for a way to break into real estate for awhile now, and flipping homes seems like the right investment strategy for...
When purchasing a home, you’ll be forced to consider a lot of factors. This could include outdated kitchens, one or two car garages, yard or no yard, etc. One of the most important factors is what type of home you are looking to buy. Buyers will most likely be...
If you’re searching for a new home, it’s helpful to know the terms commonly used to describe home and property types. After all, the types of houses you consider purchasing can affect your mortgage and home insurance. There are 2 ways different types of houses...
When it comes to selling your house, getting in front of as many buyers as possible is the best way to make a quick sale and maximize your proceeds. In this article, we'll explain how to list your home on the MLS. Talk to any agent and they’ll tell you that only...
Selling a house is often stressful and challenging. Luckily, a real estate seller’s agent can help provide services that advise and guide the seller from listing a property and throughout the process of selling a home. What is a listing agent? A listing...
What is a single-family home? It is one of many real estate terms that have sprouted up over the years that you will see in your home search. Is this the right type of home for you? Or would you be better off in a multi-family home, condo, or townhome? What is a...
What is dual agency? In a standard real estate transaction, there is a buyer's agent that represents the buyer and a listing agent that represents the seller. In real estate, dual agency is a situation in which a real estate agent simultaneously represents the buyer...
In the United States, more than 22 million people live in manufactured homes. Like other large investment purchases, it is important to weigh all the pros and cons of buying these homes. Depending on your circumstances and family’s needs, purchasing these homes may be...
A home warranty is a great way to protect your home, and your budget, but what exactly is it? These plans aren’t necessary for everyone, so let’s look at the details and you can decide if this is a beneficial option for your situation. What is a Home Warranty? A home...
If you’re in the market for a new home, you may have come across the term “HUD Home” in your search. These homes can be a great opportunity for buyers, and even offer cost savings. But it’s important to do your research. Let’s look at what a HUD home is and how to buy...
As you go through the home buying process, you may come across the term easement and wonder what it means and how it affects your property value. Easements are very important to a real estate transaction and therefore something you should care about when purchasing...
So you know that renting doesn’t allow you to build equity, but you aren’t sure you can afford a mortgage right now, this is when rent-to-own comes into play. Buyer and sellers can benefit from a rent-to-own agreement, but it’s essential that both parties fully...
Most people looking to buy or sell a house have an idea of what a buyer’s or seller’s agent is. Although, you might not understand entirely what each does for their respective parties. In many states recently, transaction brokers have started to appear as one of many...
What is the difference between contingent vs pending sales? Contingent deals are still active listings (which is why they are often called active contingent). They are liable to fall out of contract if requested provisions are not met. If all goes well, contingent...