If you're starting this year house-hunting for your ideal property, you might have heard about the “location, location, location” mantra that’s prominent in real estate. Here we’ve listed five locations that might make you think twice before living near them.  And if you ever find a house you love that's located near or next to these landmarks, it’s critical to know which could be a deal-breaker for you, and which could suit your needs and lifestyle so you can enjoy your dream home with no regrets.   Airport and flight path Biggest pro: Ease of travel Probably the biggest advantage ..read more

When it comes to purchasing a home, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding your dream property. However, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks of maxing out your budget for this significant investment. By buying a home that is within your means, you can maintain financial stability and preserve the ability to pursue other important financial goals.    In this blog, we will explore several compelling reasons why stretching your budget to its limit when buying a home may not be the wisest choice. After all, homeownership isn't cheap, and the expenses that ..read more

A new year always inspires us to have a fresh start. Maybe you're a homeowner who just wants to take advantage of that burst of energy and motivation to tackle clutter around your home. If your goal is to reset your space so you’re only surrounded by things that make you happy, decluttering is a powerful and transformative resolution that’s worth keeping. Or maybe you’re planning to list your home for sale this year. You can have a good headstart in this new journey by purging through your belongings so you’ll know what to keep and what to let go when you move. Whether you're the former or t ..read more

Even though winter is typically a slow time for real estate, it doesn't mean it isn’t a good time to purchase a home. Buying a home during this traditional “off” season could work for you depending on the real estate market where you want to move and your personal circumstances.  So if house-hunting has been on your to-do list for a while now, why wait? Forget about the bustling spring and summer months. The winter season can also offer numerous advantages if you're looking to buy, and here are some of them:   In many housing markets, the off-season typically sees fewer potential b ..read more

If you want to have a good neighbor, you have to be a good neighbor first. And learning how to be a good neighbor is a skill that can be equally as impactful on you as it can on your neighborhood.  So whether you just bought a new home or have lived in your place long-term, your goal as a part of a community is to make it a safer and more comfortable place to live in. After all, the quality of a neighborhood is heavily impacted by the people who make it up. Here are six little but valuable practices to help you become the kinder, more caring neighbor you'd want to live next to, not only ..read more

Thanksgiving is easily anyone's favorite holiday of the year. With each bite of the glorious roast turkey, spoonfuls of delicious mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, and even a slice of pumpkin pie, we are transported closer to Christmas and the spirit of giving.  But with a great feast comes a huge cleanup, which many are not looking forward to. You may be all set and ready for the Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you’re hosting for the first time in your new home, but have you thought about the subsequent cleaning load?  Here are five easy and quick tips to make the Th ..read more

Need to dig deeper into the home you're looking to buy? Asking the right questions — and not just the kind that randomly pops into your head — can help you get as much information as you need to put together a competitive offer. Likewise, you will be able to save time, money, and potential headaches if you hit all the necessary topics head-on. It’s part of your due diligence as a buyer, especially since this could be one of the biggest financial commitments you'll ever make.   If you're feeling stuck not knowing what else to know about the property, we’ve pulled together a list of some t ..read more

Whether you're a buyer looking for your first home or a seller preparing to put your property on the market, you’ve probably heard the term “concessions” in real estate. But what exactly does that refer to?   Seller concessions, which are also called seller assist or seller contributions, are the costs a seller agrees to pay to help the buyer when closing on the home. It's essentially a gift that a seller can offer to reduce the amount future homeowners have to pay out of pocket.  While both the buyer and seller have closing costs they’re responsible for, a buyer’s closing costs a ..read more

Sure, the spring season is the peak time to put a house on the market. But with the cooler weather, vibrant-colored trees and falling leaves, picking apples, carving pumpkins, and enjoying turkey dinners, there's plenty to look forward to when fall comes. One of them could be a successful home sale if you plan to put your home on the market this season.  Housing inventory during fall tends to be lower than it is in the spring and summer months, so sellers might be more likely to attract serious autumn buyers. But to successfully sell your home, you might as well need to consider a few dif ..read more

If you've been thinking about listing your property for sale, you probably already know about the obvious costs associated with selling, such as real estate commissions and closing costs.  However, there are also such things as “hidden” costs, which include a variety of smaller expenses that you need to factor in to avoid unsettling surprises and help ensure that you get top dollar for your biggest investment. Read on to get a brief overview of these hidden costs of selling a home.   Unless you're selling as-is, you’ll likely need to spruce up your home before it hits the market. P ..read more