Photo by Agover via Pixabay You're not thinking of selling -- so why keep your home in market-ready shape? There are some excellent reasons for upgrading your home while you live there; keeping your house in good repair and in "ready to sell" condition benefits you in a variety of ways: Your own comfort: It's just more comfortable...

Image by Mediamodifier from Pixabay Although most people think of real estate investments in terms of real property that they can see and touch, buy and sell, or rent and manage on their own, there is a popular form of real estate investment that is not as personal and interactive. In many ways, it is easier, featuring the...

Photo by Gerd Altmann via PixabayOnce you sign a purchase agreement, whether you are the buyer or seller, it is very difficult to back out of it. However, as a buyer, you are able to back out if your real estate agent drafts the contract properly. Real estate agents use a standard contract. That does not mean that...

Photo by Sue Smith via Shutterstock Choosing what to upgrade or fix in, on or around your home can be a complicated process. Changes fall into two categories – things that increase or decrease value (or sale price) and things that increase or decrease salability (or how willing people are to pay full price for it). Before you...

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, keeping up with maintenance can be a serious challenge. But by focusing on simple maintenance tasks, you can put your best foot forward as you’re trying to improve your home and keep it lasting for many years to come. Keep Up on Plumbing Your plumbing...

Photo by Light And Dark Studio via Shutterstock In a seller’s market, comparable sales and competition can drive up a home’s price. This is especially true in a seller’s market where offers from multiple buyers try to outbid each other. And, while this sounds like a fantastic deal for the seller, a low appraisal can kill the deal....

Photo by Mercigod via Shutterstock Earnest money is the amount of money put down for a large purchase. While this is not limited to real estate, it is used frequently in the real estate industry. It’s a sign of good faith from the buyer to the seller and normally constitutes about 1%-5% of the home’s price. How much...

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay If you anticipate that you will inherit an estate at some point or if you plan to leave your estate to an heir, it is important to plan for the potential tax implications of that transfer. The federal estate tax is one aspect to consider. Depending on the value of the estate,...

Photo by Clker-Free-Vector-Images via Pixabay When you purchase real estate, you must put down a good faith deposit. Several factors determine how much you will need to put down, but it could be as little as $100. In order to have a valid contract, the contract must have “consideration,” or something of value exchanged for the contract. The...

Photo by Mostafa Safadel on Unsplash The penthouse is the pinnacle of real estate in many markets -- and places like New York and Miami -- have plenty of options to choose from. It's easy to get caught up in great decor or fall in love with a view, but there are other considerations as well. Here's what...

Beautifully-presented with a long list of updates throughout. This is a home you can move in to, unpack, and relax, from the new flooring, carpeting, and lighting to the fresh paint and updated skylights. From the moment you step inside, you're welcomed into a generous living room with a wood-burning fireplace for comfort. New ceiling fans, insulation, and a heater ensure climate-controlled living no matter the weather outside. The open-concept floorplan embraces the large living, dining, and kitchen areas. The stunning attention to detail continues in the bedrooms and bath. Additional features include new windows, blinds, doors, a new...

Beautifully-presented with a long list of updates throughout. This is a home you can move in to unpack and relax, from the new flooring, carpeting, and lighting to the fresh paint and updated skylights. From the moment you step inside, you're welcomed into a generous living room with a wood-burning fireplace for comfort. New ceiling fans, insulation, and a heater ensure climate-controlled living no matter the weather outside. The open-concept floorplan embraces the large living, dining, and kitchen areas. The stunning attention to detail continues in the bedrooms and baths. Additional features include new windows, blinds, doors, a new water...