You found a promising home for sale online. You contact the broker and receive a reply from an agent who provides a showing appointment date and time. But when you arrive, there’s someone else showing you the house. This person may be a subagent. But what are subagents in real estate? Are they working for you or the seller, and how might a subagent impact your purchase? In this post, we explain the role of a subagent in real estate, and how there is more than one definition within the industry. Who they work for can make a big difference in your home-buying journey. A Top Agent Can Find the ..read more

Gone are the days of driving through a neighborhood trying to spot “for sale” signs in front of houses. Today’s house hunters hop on the information highway, instead. You can find listings on numerous websites, but two of the biggest are Zillow and Trulia. If you type “homes for sale” plus the area where you’re looking into a search bar, these two sites will pop up near the top of any results. If you don’t want to waste time on your home search, or you need to find a great agent to sell your home, how do they compare? If you’re considering the benefits of Zillow vs. Trulia, which site might be ..read more

Easement dispute, easement decision, easement access — these phrases are heard more often in the news than in our homes. But if the word easement comes up in a title search when buying or selling a house, questions can arise. What is an easement in real estate? Will an easement impact your home sale or purchase? In this post, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of easements, helping you grasp how they work, the different types you may encounter, and the implications for property owners. Find a Top Agent Familiar With Local Easements A top agent can help you avoid pitfalls involving ease ..read more

You want to fall in love with a home you can actually buy, so you’re watching for active listings as you search real estate sites. But then you notice that some homes have an “active” status label that includes additional words, like active first right, active kick-out, or active no-show. In this post, we’ll clarify these active listing terms so you can shop for a home with more confidence. We’ll briefly explain how each listing status might affect your decision to make an offer. Step one: Talk to a few buyer's agents! Tell us a little bit about your plans (where you’re looking to buy and wh ..read more

Many homebuyers today are not just shopping for a house; they’re shopping for a community that reflects their desired lifestyle. A PUD home, meaning a planned unit development property, offers shared amenities, such as a neighborhood clubhouse, swimming pool, parks, tennis or pickleball courts, and a gated entry. But a PUD property also offers something other HOA communities don’t — full ownership of your home, including the land on which it sits. In this post, we explain the concept of a planned unit development and provide insights to help you decide if a PUD is a good choice for your next h ..read more

Have you considered your neighborhood’s walkability score? Such a rating is not just about sidewalks, paths, or streetlights. Walkability scores by address provide a glimpse into daily life in a neighborhood, highlighting how easily you can accomplish errands on foot, the proximity to public transportation, and the overall convenience of the area. For home sellers, a high walkability score can give you a competitive marketing edge. For homebuyers, these scores offer valuable insights into the livability pros and cons of different communities. In this post, we’ll guide you through everything yo ..read more

Choosing between a condo and a house can stir up a whirlwind of questions. But here’s the reality: the perfect choice rests on your unique needs. Your lifestyle, finances, and future aspirations play a significant role in determining the right fit. To help you unpack the condo vs. house conundrum, we reached out to a pair of top real estate agents who specialize in condominiums. Achieve Greater Buyer Confidence With a Top Agent HomeLight can connect you with the most experienced buyer’s agents in your home shopping area. These top professionals can help you make the best buying decisions and ..read more

Low inventory, elevated home prices, and high interest rates are making it harder to unlock the door to homeownership. Hopeful buyers often discover that the key to this door is getting past the upfront costs required to buy a house. For many, the solution lies in a “seller assist.” But what exactly is a seller assist when buying a house, and how can it help clear the path on your homebuying journey? In this post, we’ll provide clear insights and examples to help you decide if requesting a seller assist is the right strategy for your home purchase. A Top Agent Can Find the Right Deal For You ..read more

Discovering mold in your home can be unsettling, whether you’re nestled in your longtime residence, on the brink of buying a dream house, or preparing to sell. The initial question that then emerges is: How much does a mold inspection cost, and is it necessary? This guide provides expert insights about mold inspections, addressing costs and underlining the importance for current homeowners spotting mold, homebuyers deliberating the expense, and sellers contemplating a pre-listing inspection. Achieve Greater Buyer Confidence With a Top Agent HomeLight can connect you with the most experienced ..read more

Choosing the right type of home is a pivotal decision in your house-hunting journey. Are you leaning toward the durability and sturdiness of a CBS home (concrete block structure), or does the classic appeal of a wood-framed house attract you more? Each option comes with its own set of benefits, costs, and considerations that can impact your living experience and the strength of your home investment. In this guide, we’ll review the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nuances of CBS and wood-framed homes, comparing their costs, safety, durability, resale value, and environmental impact. Concrete or Woo ..read more