Every day while searching for a house, I made a habit of opening my inbox and scrolling to the daily email digest I signed up for from Redfin. Not only could I see new homes listed within my target area and budget, but I could also see which homes went under contract and, perhaps most … Read more
Over the past year or so, Lauren Reynolds, a real estate agent in Westport, Connecticut, has noticed a trend: More people are moving to the ‘burbs to give their pets a better life. “There’s a meme that’s been going around about millenials buying homes for their dogs,” Reynolds says. “And although it seems ridiculous, it’s … Read more
This past summer, I saddled up at the Adult Table and did the scariest thing I’ve ever done: I listed my condo for sale. Like a pupil anxiously seeking out after-school calculus tutoring, I sat across from my top-of-the-class real estate agent. I took notes as she explained the current market, the procedures for listing, … Read more
Lauren Wellbank Contributor Lauren Wellbank is a freelance writer with more than a decade of experience in the mortgage industry. Her writing has also appeared on HuffPost, Washington Post, Martha Stewart Living, and more. When she’s not writing she can be found spending time with her growing family in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. … Read more
When it comes to home design, the popular trends don’t always heed a “safety first” warning. That’s according to home inspectors — the people tasked with inspecting properties for immediate or potential problems. As more homebuyers renovate fixer-uppers or look to Pinterest for DIY design inspiration, home inspectors are spotting some design tactics that may … Read more
You’ve got your mind set on buying a home. Maybe you’re playing a long game, slowly but steadily building up that “down payment” savings fund. Or perhaps you’re hoping to be moved in and settled by the start of the new year. Wherever you are in your homebuying journey, experts say there are a number … Read more
As I compose this article, I’m protected by a fortress of half-unpacked moving boxes. While my partner and I get situated in our new home, I’m looking back over the last chaotic month of our lives — negotiating sales, closing on my condo, storing all my belongings, hiring movers, cleaning our new place. Woof, I’m … Read more
When I got the inspector’s report back for my house, my jaw dropped to the floor. How can such a small house have so many issues? After reading his report, I seriously wondered if I should back out of buying the house altogether. But when I took the report to a contractor friend of mine, … Read more
If you’ve been avoiding older homes on your house hunt because you assume they’ll need a a major renovation, think again. While it’s true that the term “fixer-upper” can mean “knock it down and start over” in some cases, not every home will need nearly as much work to make it move-in ready. For starters, … Read more
It feels like all anyone can talk about right now is buying a house. From news headlines blaring about the sizzling hot housing market to friends posting cutesy Instagram photos of themselves holding the keys to their new home, real estate is everywhere these days. Good or bad, this homebuying fever can create a lot … Read more