When I was growing up, my bathroom was absolutely stellar. It was split into two rooms—one for the sink and another for the toilet and tub. And I got to pick the theme! Thirteen-year-old me was more than thrilled to pick a dark safari theme. Black and gold, tiger print, furry fringed curtains. It was … Read more
Prior to a home inspection, Boston real estate agent Sam Reifman-Packett makes sure he manages his clients’ expectations. “A home inspector isn’t there to hype up your dream home,” cautions Reifman-Packett, a vice president with Compass. “Their job is to find and make note of everything wrong with the property.” Home inspectors are a bit … Read more
Sarah Magnuson Contributor Sarah Magnuson is a Chicago-based, Rockford, Illinois-born and bred writer and comedian. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Sociology and a master’s degree in Public Service Management. When she’s not interviewing real estate experts or sharing her thoughts on laundry chutes (major proponent), Sarah can be found producing sketch comedy shows … Read more
Picture this: It’s a crisp fall day and you’re out for a stroll when you see the warm glow of a house abuzz with guests, and a sidewalk sign announcing, “open house.” Is there anything more intoxicating? But the allure is about more than just a sign — it’s the carefully arranged interior, the glossy … Read more
Trends come and go in real estate. Many times they revolve around home design and what buyers want most. But the pandemic has changed more than just the aesthetic aspects of homebuying — it’s changed the way real estate transactions happen. Here’s a look at some of the biggest trends that are on their way … Read more
You’ve probably been told to consider a home’s “curb appeal,” before heading into the open house. This, of course, is an assessment of the home’s attractiveness from the street (the curb!). It’s the way the house’s facade and front yard presents to passers-by. Nice-looking curb appeal is always a plus, but there are a few … Read more
Ever look at your peers and wonder, “How the heck are these people buying a home? Where did they get enough money for a down payment?” The truth is, a lot of them probably had help. Just over half (52 percent) of first-time homebuyers in 2020 received financial assistance from a family member, according to … 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
In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, condos fell out of favor. Buyers wanted space — and lots of it. Privacy, too. Unsure of if and when they’d be returning to the office, they scoured the sizzling hot market looking for detached, single-family homes with enough square footage to accommodate their new hunkered-down-at-home lifestyles. … Read more
Picture this: you’re pumped to be under contract on your new home — until the inspector hands over their report. The printout is thicker than your college thesis. Your heart drops. Maybe your dream home isn’t quite the dream after all. But before you rip up the contract and walk away, take a deep breath. … Read more