When viewing a home for sale, many buyers look at the property from a “macro” perspective. They ask themselves questions like: “Is it large enough?”; “Are there enough bedrooms?”; “Is it in a nice community?” While those questions are important, it also pays to consider a potential new home from a “micro” perspective. Here are some things to consider: Living room and family room. Are they large enough to fit

When you purchase a new home, the most exciting day is closing day. That’s the day you take possession of the property and, in most cases, move in. But the process isn’t necessarily over. There are still some important details to take care of in the weeks and months after the move. For example, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re getting all your mail. Ideally, you will have

When you’re buying or selling a home, there are so many details to look after that it’s easy to miss something. One thing you don’t want to forget is insurance. Once your property has sold, you’ll need to contact your insurance company to let them know the date that ownership of your property will be transferred (the “closing date”). They’ll arrange to cancel your insurance once you’re no longer the

You’re in a rush. You have just three weeks to find and buy the right home. Whoa! How are you going to make that happen? Don’t stress. Here are some tips that will help: • Get a pre-approved mortgage. With this document, you’ll know exactly what you can afford. A seller will take your offer-to-purchase more seriously, too. • Make a wish list. Be clear about what you want in

When your home is shown to potential buyers, every room is important. However, there are three types of rooms that buyers tend to pay particular attention to: kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. How do you make these rooms look great? Use these staging tips from professionals. In the kitchen, make sure the stove, sink and countertops are spotless. In addition, the countertops should be clear of anything that isn’t absolutely necessary.

You are probably already aware of the major things you need to do around your home to get it ready for sale. These include getting rid of clutter, doing minor repairs, and making everything clean and tidy so every room is as much of a showcase as possible. But there is a myriad of little touch-ups you can do that you may not have thought about before… touch-ups can make

Obviously, when you’re searching for a new home, you want to find one that is ideal. It should be your next dream home. However, sometimes it pays to consider at least some properties that don’t meet all your criteria. After all, you never know whether one of them is actually your next dream home – in disguise! Say you’re looking for a home with a beautiful kitchen – the kind

The last thing you need after a long moving day is to discover that a valuable item was damaged. That’s certain to dampen your spirits when you’re just getting settled into your new home. Here are some packing tips to help ensure that doesn’t happen: Avoid worn-out or damaged boxes as they are more likely to tear open during a move. Pack glass and similar items in bubble wrap or

Ask any good salesperson for an effective selling technique and they’ll probably say something like, “Understand the buyer. Try to figure out what they’re thinking.” That’s good advice for you to consider when you’re putting your home up for sale. You need to imagine what a buyer might be thinking while viewing your property, so you can prepare your home more effectively for that sale. Here are some things buyers

Some home buyers consider purchasing a home that is less expensive but farther away from work. In particular, people who work in an urban area sometimes consider living outside the city, where housing costs a little less. Is that a good option? It depends, to some extent, on the cost of commuting. People often underestimate commuting expenses when they consider buying in a particular area. Knowing these costs is important