Author Archives: Sabrina Mapes

2022 is proving tough for all aspects of home renovation, from hiring contractors, to buying supplies. Here’s what to expect — and ways to cope. If you have plans to renovate your home — or if you’re shopping for a fixer upper to buy, you might be wondering whether now is a good time to remodel […]

11 pet-friendly maintenance and decor tips that can help keep your house a sneeze-free zone. You love your pet, but you don’t love it when your pet triggers your allergies. If cat fluff and dog dander give you a scratchy throat and watery eyes, you don’t have to live an animal-free life. You can still have […]

About 46 percent of home buyers are purchasing a home for the first time, and with that first home can come particular financial hurdles around saving for a down payment, and paying for closing costs. About two-thirds (64 percent) of first-time buyers put less than 20 percent down on their first home, and a quarter put down 5 percent […]

Even if you’re just window shopping, these 10 steps will help ensure your finances are ready when the right house does come along. As springtime approaches and the home buying frenzy begins, many people have homeownership on their minds. But buying a home right now might be challenging — a shortage of homes and a highly […]

From purchasing a home with friends, to buying a yurt (yes, a yurt!), there are numerous alternatives to buying a single-family home. Here is our list. If you’ve spent time looking for homes online, you’ve probably come across a place that blows away your understanding of what a home can be. Maybe it was a […]

Use this decision tree to answer financial and lifestyle questions that can help you determine whether buying a house is right for you. Determining when to buy a house isn’t only about your financial readiness, though it is definitely one aspect — a house is probably one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make. Beyond the […]

Debt is money that you borrowed and are obligated to repay. Examples of debt include mortgages, student loans, auto loans and credit cards.  Zillow research found that 69% of renters have some type of debt, and a quarter of renters said they were denied a rental agreement or home financing due to their debt level. Debt impacts not only the type […]

There are more effective strategies for capturing sellers’ attention than letters. After seeing the home of your dreams sold to another buyer, you may be looking for ways to stand out the next time a desirable home comes on the market. Some of you may be thinking of writing a so-called “love letter”  to the seller […]

Successful real estate transactions typically involve some back and forth between the buyer and seller. Refer to this guide for what to expect and how to keep your cool. Buying a home is rarely as simple as making an offer. Negotiations can go back and forth for weeks before the seller and buyer are both […]

Whether you’re ready to buy your first home or just need an acronym refresher, keep this glossary handy. You don’t need a real estate license to find your dream home, but it does help to become familiar with real estate jargon you might encounter during the process. When searching for a home or applying for […]