Practical Advice For Homeowners


How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time

Buying and selling a home at the same time can be extremely stressful. But if you plan well in advance, you can make it happen smoothly. Here’s how to buy and sell…

5 Home Improvement Projects To Avoid

Today's typical buyers plan to live in their home for just five to seven years. So it’s more important than ever to consider resale when making home improvements. Even though you’re a…
home buyer mistakes

Top 5 Homebuyer Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

From the home search until closing, you’ve got lots to think about and do. It’s not unusual to make a mistake. But with the financial stakes so high, one false move can…

Lenders Getting Tough Lending on Condo Associations Without Proper “Reserves”

Condo owners usually pay a monthly homeowner’s association (HOA) or maintenance dues. These assessments cover building upkeep, utilities, hazards insurance and fees for a property manager, doorman or managing agent.  Most HOAs…
how government might delay your home sale

5 Things You Should Know About Real Estate Disclosures

It’s standard practice in real estate to give a home a fresh coat of paint before putting it on the market. Nine out of 10 times, the intention is to show the…

Five Strategies for Pricing a Home to Sell

Is a $499 iPad a bargain compared to one that costs $500? Not exactly. But retailers have long priced products just below a round number because, psychologically, $499 feels more like a…

How to Address a Leaky Window After Escrow Closes

Got this question from a friend on East Coast this week. Q: We bought our house months ago – now one of the bedroom windows leaked in the past rain storm– seller…

You Bought a Home and the Basement Flooded. Now What?

Well-informed buyers may spend six months looking at properties, learning the neighborhoods, and gaining deep market knowledge. Once they identify a winner, they may spend weeks getting to know more about the…

Should You Consider Listing Your Home During the Holidays?

As the holidays approach, I’m always asked the same questions: Should we keep our property on the real estate market or take it off? Do we list now, wait until after the…
why home buyers shouldn't waive property inspections

Get a Property Inspection Before You List

Many real estate agents and home sellers focus on staging, cleaning, and painting a property so it will ‘shine’ for potential buyers. They spend a good deal of time looking at comps…