The process of buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming — from finding a place that’s the right fit for you to saving up for a down payment, budgeting for closing costs and everything in between. When it comes to figuring out your financing options, you don’t have to do all the heavy-lifting alone — […]
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Why Early Fall Could Be the Next Housing Market ‘Sweet Spot’
In this month’s market report, we ask in-house economist Jeff Tucker about what seasonal cycles look like in a remarkably unusual year for home buying. If you’ve come up empty-handed after home shopping all spring and summer, you might want to keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks. As summer wraps up, there […]
How to Actually Afford to Buy a Home in America
Home buying hurdles exist — but research, creativity and flexibility will help you clear them. Home buyers today face tough challenges — housing prices have soared, a dollar doesn’t go as far as it once did and rent is more expensive than the past. How are people today making such a large purchase despite these […]
5 Things to Know Before Taking the Plunge on a Pool
There’s a lot to love about owning a swimming pool, provided you have the money, time and attention to maintain one. If you’re in love with swimming pools and the lifestyle that comes with them, you’ve probably been pouring over home listings with pools as summer gets into full swing. Pools can be a great […]
Benefits of Real Estate Agents for Home Buyers
Buying a home is a significant financial transaction and a major decision. That’s why 89% of buyers use a real estate agent or broker to help them navigate the complicated home search and purchase process. For most buyers, having an expert by your side who has your best interest in mind is a no-brainer. Why […]
5 Expenses Homeowners Pay That Renters Don’t
Thinking about buying? Be sure to include these five items in your calculations. Homeownership may be a goal for some, but it’s not the right fit for many. Renters account for 37 percent of all households in America — or just over 43.7 million homes, up more than 6.9 million since 2005. Even still, more than half of millennial […]
78 Real Estate Terms and Expressions You Should Know
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 […]
Health and Wellness Upgrades That Make Your Home Better
Set yourself up for success and give your living space a refresh. With self-care becoming more of a priority than ever, many people are focusing on turning their homes into dedicated spaces that help them prioritize their health and wellness. And just like they’ve gotten creative with WFH setups, homeowners have come up with a variety […]
The 13 Emotional Stages of Buying a House
How home shoppers feel, why they feel it and what they can do about it. Looking for a home — and eventually buying a home — can be a roller coaster, filled with ups and downs. It’s one of the biggest decisions you can make, and while at times, you’ll feel elated, moments later, you might find yourself feeling […]
Tax Breaks for Homeowners
Discover homeowner tax deductions that may save you money during tax season for simply owning a home. Owning a home has its rewards and challenges — and that’s especially true at tax time. Depending on your circumstances, tax rules around homeownership can reduce the amount of income taxes you owe at filing time. This is […]