Advice for first-time home buyers often focuses on all the steps involved in buying a home. To simplify things, let’s look at the people involved, not the steps. If you’re a people person, focusing on the people might help you visualize the whole home buying process better than trying to remember the details. Okay, besides ..read more

From how much house you can really afford to how many coffee shops are nearby, here’s what you need to know before buying your first place. Get Ready to Buy If you watched the 2008 mortgage crisis from the desk of your first job, you’re probably squeamish about jumping into the market yourself. Don’t be ..read more

Regardless of its size, a home’s outdoor space should be a showpiece in a listing. “This year it’s really about making your outdoor space function like an interior space for all things fun, lounging, and entertaining,” Gretchen Kennelly, a San Diego interior designer, told realtor.com®. Designers offered up some of their trend insights to realtor.com® for homeowners ..read more

If you are considering listing this spring, now is the time. May is the best bet for home sellers, according to an analysis by ATTOM Data Solutions, which found that the average seller gains 5.9 percent more than market value—the highest of all months—in the fifth month of the year. June is profitable for sellers, as well ..read more

Going green for St. Paddy’s doesn’t need to mean wearing your favorite emerald t-shirt or adding dye to a batch of cookies. You can make eco-friendly choices to “green” your life, starting with your home. Appliance upgrade. If you have a tired old appliance, like a fridge, washing machine, dishwasher or toilet, consider a new, energy ..read more

It’s an exciting milestone in a young person’s life to be on the cusp of purchasing a first home. If this is where you are at the moment, you probably have mixed feelings ranging from thrilled to anxious. That’s understandable, as this is a big purchase that will change your life forever. To help you, here’s ..read more

Get organized so you’re ready to make a winning offer on the home of your dreams. Making the leap from renter to buyer? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get ready to make a winning offer on the home of your dreams. Step 1: Make sure you’re (really) ready Homeownership is a big commitment ..read more