As cooler temperatures begin to sweep the nation, homeowners are turning on their heat for the first time in months. With every degree increase on the thermostat, utility bills follow suit. A warm, comfortable home shouldn't cost you a small fortune. Luckily, there are some simple strategies for combating the chill while lowering heating costs at the same time. Change the filters The summer and fall months are a prime time for airborne allergens and microbes, which can clog furnace Continue Reading ...

Party balloons, elastic waistbands and the universe - for some things, expansion is easy. When your home is too small, however, it's not always possible to expand it. Whether you live in a suburban townhouse, an urban condo or a big, modern single-family home on a tiny lot, chances are good expanding just isn't in the cards for your home. Many Americans are in the same situation, and they're seeking creative ways to maximize the utility of the space they have. Here are some ideas for Continue Reading ...

For many Americans, the biggest hurdle in buying a home is the 20 percent down payment they think is required for mortgage approval. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors, 34 percent of respondents believe they need more than 20 percent. Meanwhile, low down payment mortgages account for a significant amount of home buying annually. Families with down payments as low as 3 or 5 percent have been able to purchase a home thanks to private mortgage insurance (MI) Continue Reading ...

Whatever you're passionate about, you know hobbies cost money. People who haven't shaken the travel bug need to negotiate time off work, pay for lodging, airfare and more. If you're a big football fan, the amount you spend on food, snacks, game tickets and clothing adds up during the course of a season. Even simple hobbies like fishing can require a seemingly endless number of gadgets and electronics. Fortunately, for anyone who likes to roll up their sleeves and isn't afraid of taking on a Continue Reading ...

Don't give up on buying a home as winter nears. In fact, December through February may be better for buyers than the busy season in spring and summer. Enjoy less competition and lower prices. Fewer properties are typically available during the winter, as sellers and buyers aim to complete transactions before the school year begins. You can turn that to your advantage. "In winter, there are fewer properties, but it's less competitive, with fewer buyers per property," says Greg Jaeger, Continue Reading ...

The long-held belief that summer is the only time to buy a home is fading fast. Savvy home-buyers are learning that when temperatures drop, numerous benefits emerge that simply aren't available other times of the year. "With warm weather and many homes on the market, summer is generally the busiest real estate season. However, autumn into early winter can be opportune times for people who are serious about buying a home, too" says Geoff Lewis, RE/MAX, LLC President. "This time of year has Continue Reading ...

Sponsored Ad Content by Clayton Whether you're shopping for a new traditional, manufactured or modular home or just attempting a renovation project, it's important to consider the functionality of key spaces like kitchens and living rooms. These most-frequented rooms will host meals, family gatherings, movie nights, homework sessions and holiday celebrations, so they need to include features that facilitate all these uses and more. If the layout of your current apartment or house isn't Continue Reading ...

Call this the age of personalization. You can customize practically anything these days, from the kind of information you get on your favorite news feed and the offers you receive from your bank to the icons, background and sounds on your smartphone. Personalizing something really makes it feel more "yours," so of course you want to be able to do that to your first home. If you're shopping for your first home, you may already know what you want to do to personalize it. However, you may not Continue Reading ...

Whether you're a first-time or experienced homebuyer, chances are a good portion of your real estate journey will take place online. In fact, four in 10 homebuyers start their house-hunting with an online search, according to the National Association of REALTORS. It's easy to understand why: Online tools and apps can make the homebuying experience - including finding a mortgage - easier and more enjoyable. If you'll be shopping for a home this fall and winter, use the tools homebuyers find Continue Reading ...

If you’re looking to move, then you’re probably preparing to sell the home you’re currently in. Here are the home inspection tips for home sellers. It’s quite likely that a home inspection will be a part of the selling process for you. In fact, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) researched and determined that almost four of every five homes sold in America had a home inspection prior to being sold. NAR has reported that 99% of Continue Reading ...