So you’ve listed your house, you’ve shown it several times, and now a buyer has made an offer. This is the point when you have to make that agonizing decision: Do you accept or reject the offer? Selling house is usually about much more than top dollar, so this decision is seldom easy to make. … Continued
Maybe it shouldn’t be this way, but it is. Prospective buyers often judge what lies beyond your front door by the appearance of your yard. That’s why the first impression of curb appeal is so vitally important. And, sure, you need to make your yard stand out by watering regularly and deeply, mowing at the … Continued
Maybe you’ve found a house that you absolutely love . . . but is it really all that great? Its easy – far too easy – to overlook severe shortcomings in a house when there are other things about it that you love. And beyond that, first-time buyers often don’t know what to be on … Continued
Traditionally, spring is the best time to put a house on the market with fall coming in a close second. The worst times are winter and summer. It may surprise you that summer isn’t an especially good time to list your house, but you have to remember that people are just busy then. Kids are … Continued
Selling a home that you purchased for a considerably lesser amount means you’re making money. That’s a great thing until Uncle Sam wants his share. While there are some tax exemptions on capital gains on a personal residence, there is another option. How to use a 1031 Exchange to acquire property in Downey could allow … Continued
When buying a house, you should know what to look for because it can save you a lot of expense, headache, and heartache down the road. There are, of course, the obvious red flags that most people know to heed, but there are plenty of other subtler signs that aren’t so well known. To help … Continued
Should you do an FSBO deal or hire an agent? There are, of course, pros and cons on both sides of the question. The first thing that many people think of when considering an FSBO is that they won’t have to pay the agent’s commission. But that commission is a very small amount when you … Continued
Home sales usually fall into one of three main categories: traditional sales, short sales, and foreclosures. For buyers, each has pros and cons, though generally speaking the cheaper properties are short sales and foreclosures. But if you’re a buyer, you need to keep in mind that these properties are usually cheaper for a good reason. … Continued
When it comes to real estate agents, there are a few pretty widespread misconceptions about exactly what they do and their ultimate value, even among investors. Many people believe they can just cut out that middle man and save a good bit of money by not having to pay agent commissions. So as an investor, … Continued
Buying a home is expensive. For most of us, it’s the largest financial transaction of our lives. While most people understand the major financial components of buying a home – for example, purchase price and some closing costs – there are still more expenses that remain “hidden.” So to help you go into the process … Continued
You can, if you choose, sell your house on your own – many people do. You’ll save the thousands of dollars you’d pay out for the agent’s commission, but is it really the best way? Would you ultimately make more money on the sale using an agent? If you’re not sure, consider these 7 ways … Continued
Maybe it was an investment project that you now have neither the time nor inclination to see through to the end. Or maybe it’s a less-then-pristine house you inherited and don’t want to pay taxes and insurance on. Whatever the case, you now have a fixer-upper on your hands that you need to sell fast. … Continued
Buying a house is the American dream, right? It can be a dream fulfilled and a good investment. But it can also be a financial disaster and a long-term burden. For some people, buying and owning a house just doesn’t make financial sense. So before you commit to 30 years of house payments, take a … Continued
The new tax laws are now in full effect, and it has left many homeowners uncertain about the impact it will have on their tax bills. How have mortgage interest deductions changed? Is your home office still eligible? It can seem difficult to understand how taxes are changing for homeowners. Your taxes may have become … Continued