An influx of homeowners are seeking to transition into a more compact living space. This article is your companion in your pursuit of a decluttered, serene, and simplified existence Reap the Rewards of Compact Livingho The move to a smaller living space is more than...
Mortgage rates have been on a journey this year - and it’s the sort of journey that makes buyers very wary of entering the market. Many are waiting, hoping that rates will fall a point or two - allowing them to save $100 or more on their monthly mortgage payment as a...
Five years ago, the median home in the U.S. sold for $217,600. Today, that figure has jumped to $425,600. In a typical home sale, the home seller pays for both the buyer agent and the listing agent’s commission**. Five years ago, that would’ve meant paying an average...
Although many home searchers tend to hyper-focus on a home’s sticker price, the impact of the mortgage rate is equally important. A great rate can shave hundreds of dollars off the monthly mortgage payment, while a high rate can push a home out of reach. Now that...
Today is a remarkable day for Trelora as we announce our integration into the Newfound family. Together with Houwzer and other leading brands, we're embarking on a journey of growth, innovation, and client-focused solutions. From big opportunities for for consumers to...
There is a frustrating lack of available homes for sale in real estate markets around the country. Many would-be homeowners find themselves outbid again and again in ultra-competitive markets – despite offering to pay full, or even above asking price. The available...
According to data from Trulia, the American public is fairly split on whether they prefer a newly built home or an old home. Assuming the same price, 41% of Americans prefer to buy a newly built home, while 21% prefer an existing home. But the remaining 38% have...
Plenty of homebuyers are fed up with the current housing market. But what if new construction homes are the secret sauce to getting a home you love—with a rate you can afford? Demand has been rising for new construction, and that’s only likely to increase over the...
Planning for closing costs is essential for having a positive homebuying experience. Closing costs are fees that need to be paid upfront (unlike the down payment). Closing costs vary widely depending on the home, the neighborhood, and especially the state. Are you...
CNBC recently ranked Florida one of the top five states for remote work in the US. Why move to Florida? Florida offers a tempting combination of a relatively low cost of living, plentiful career opportunities, and vacation-worthy weather. “Florida is a...
The rapid property appreciation experienced in 2021 hit Florida especially hard. At its peak in May, home prices increased 23% year-over-year. An influx of remote workers post-COVID, as well as people fleeing from high cost-of-living metro areas in states...
Potential home buyers typically budget for their down payment, but people new to buying a home may forget about closing costs completely. They shouldn’t, though: closing costs represent a substantial amount of money - sometimes as much as the down payment. In Florida,...
For home buyers, the seller’s disclosure statement is an essential tool for understanding what exactly they’re buying. And for sellers, the form is a way to document their knowledge of the home. The disclosure document outlines the benign, like the appliances that...
The cost of buying a home has skyrocketed, especially in California - so when you sell your house, it helps to make as much money as possible (while adding the least amount of stress). Opting to sell your house “for sale by owner” (FSBO) is one solution that can...
We know how tempting it is to scroll through Zillow looking for houses. It’s like online dating, but for properties. However, what you need to know before you “swipe right” and fall in love with a house is just how variable the costs can be. An interest rate of...
Most people aren’t selling their home as an act of charity. The goal is ultimately to make money off the sale - and as much of it as they reasonably can. Yet too often, the thing homesellers focus on as the way to maintain their equity is the listing price -...
First-time homebuyers are often dismayed when they go to buy their first home, because they realize they’ve underestimated how much money it costs to buy a house. Most homebuyers know about the down payment - though 20% is the standard advice, you only really need 3%...
Realtor commissions are easily one of the most contentious aspects of real estate. Homeowners have built up equity in their home - and have often made improvements to it over the years, adding additional value - only for agent fees to take a hefty 6% bite out of their...
When it comes to buying a home, one of the most important considerations for buyers is the interest rate on their mortgage. The interest rate directly impacts how much a buyer will pay over the life of their loan, as well as their monthly mortgage payments. ...
List price and sale price are two different things - and that’s due in part to your initial offer on a home. Making an offer on a home is an important part of the homebuying process, but many homebuyers are in the dark as to how to determine this important...
With interest rates rising and the economy showing signs of slowing it may now be the time to sell your home. When can I sell my home for the highest price? Conventional wisdom says that the summer is the best time to sell your home, since there are the most...
An important part of homeownership is making sure your home is operating as efficiently as possible. The following simple home energy saving tips are a great way to start reducing your energy usage - and your energy bills - this season! Service your air conditioner....
Typically, the real estate market experiences a lull as colder weather sets in and many look forward to being home for the holidays. We didn’t experience this cool down last year, as COVID-19 set in and disrupted the real estate market’s usual seasonal trends. So, as...
Typically, the real estate market experiences a lull as colder weather sets in and many look forward to being home for the holidays. We didn’t experience this cool down last year, as COVID-19 set in and disrupted the real estate market’s usual seasonal trends. So, as...