If you are selling your home, your REALTORⓇ will likely hold an open house. Potential buyers will come into your home during an open house and explore the space, room by room. The problem with an open house is that you never know who will show up, including strangers and thieves. Removing certain items from your for-sale home will assure your belongings, or identity, aren’t damaged or stolen. Here are...
When it comes to renovating your home, be it a kitchen remodel or a bathroom overhaul, you want to be sure you hire the right professional for the job. This is the person you depend on to tear down your walls and spend your dollars wisely. Avoid a renovation nightmare by researching a few different contractors and setting up an interview with each of them. Here are seven interview questions to ask a...
Your attic can serve many different roles in your home. Families often place boxes of old clothing, books and holiday decorations in the attic and rarely go up there. But, in some cases, an attic can be so much more than just storage space. If you need additional living space, converting the attic might be the solution, but there are potential problems to consider. Explore the pros and cons of converting...
Having a house renovated can be stressful for anyone, but it can be tough on kids. They may not understand what’s happening or why and may feel overwhelmed by the changes in the house, the strangers who come and go daily and the disruption to their routine. Here are some ways to help your kids take it all in stride. Discuss the Renovations Before They Begin Talk to your kids about the work that will...
If you’re shopping for a new home and have young children, you must focus on safety and convenience. Some features that you might not initially consider important can be crucial for families with kids. Layout A house with an open floorplan may seem appealing, but your kids could run around and scatter toys everywhere. Clearly divided rooms make it easier to keep kids in one area where they can be...
Some homeowners decide to sell a house themselves rather than getting help from a real estate agent. Buying a house listed as “for sale by owner” (FSBO) may have pros and cons. What Is a “For Sale by Owner” Listing? If a house is listed as “for sale by owner,” that means the homeowner is selling it without assistance from a real estate agent. Owners of FSBO properties generally want to...
Suppose you’re like many people with an expansive wardrobe. In that case, you will agree with recently surveyed homebuyers that a walk-in closet with perhaps a dressing area is the second most crucial feature wanted in an upscale home. Respondents to a National Association of REALTORS® Buyers Home Feature Preference study ranked the extravagance just under air conditioning in terms of superior...
Everyone is familiar with "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs, but now and again, you might be driving down a street and see a sign sitting in front of a house with the words "Coming Soon" instead. So, what if it happens to be a house that you would love to own? The National Association of REALTORS® defines a "coming soon" property as one that's listed or unlisted that is not available for showing or...