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Earnest Money vs. Down Payment: What You Need to Know

What’s the Difference Between a Down Payment and Earnest Money? Like any industry, the business of purchasing a home attracts jargon and real estate terms you may not be familiar with. This can add extra and unneeded confusion to the home buying proce...

FHA Loan Lets You Buy And Renovate A Home

It’s not uncommon to want to buy a fixer-upper to unlock its potential with renovations. However, for many people it’s a bridge too far to come up with the down payment and foot the repairs and upgrades that home might need. This is where getting an F...

Mortgage Rates Fall to the Lowest Level in Three Months—but This Is a Double-Edged Sword for Home Buyers

Mortgage rates slid to the lowest level in three months this past week. But the persistent low-rate environment could have some repercussions for people looking to buy a home. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.6% during the week ending Jan. 2...

2020’s Top Home Trends and Features to Start the Decade Off Right

Millennial Pink? Anything but that! Word art? We're so over it. Please, whatever you do—no more shiplap! So what are the top home trends and features of 2020? What are going to be the most popular types of homes? And what does new construction look li...

U.S. existing-home sales rise 3.6% in December

December's sales are 10.8% above 2018's rate U.S. existing-home sales reversed course in December, rising 3.6% from the previous month’s pace, according to the  National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales – completed transactions that ...

How Can I Sell My House Fast for Market Value?

‘How can I sell my house fast for market value? ’ This is a question that many property sellers ask. Whether it’s a family emergency, job transfer or any other major life change, people often find themselves in situations where they need to sell their...

Mortgage applications slide despite last week’s spike

Mortgage applications decline by 1.2% from last week Mortgage applications fell 1.2% from last week, according to data from the  Mortgage Bankers Association ’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. This means on a seasonally adjusted basis, the index ...

Stage Your Home for Selling

Selling a home isn’t as easy as finding a willing buyer in the market. Aside from having to iron out the necessary paperwork, you’ll need to ensure that people would be able to see the true value in having your house as theirs. Although you may think ...

Tour a Romantic Cottage-Style Landscape in the Hamptons

Top Ideabooks Top Ideabooks Photos by Marco Penafel, Charlie & Sons Landscapes Shortly after construction of their home was completed, the homeowners hired Charlie & Sons Landscapes to assist with the design of the grounds. The landscape design firm i...

Who Does What?

The success of your homebuying experience depends largely on the company you keep. As you set out to find the right home, be sure to select experienced, trusted professionals who will help you make informed decisions and avoid any issues along the way...