Though 20 percent is a good target to aim for, you can buy a house with a smaller down payment. (Some very specific home buying programs even allow you to buy a house with no down payment!) But, as with anything, there are tradeoffs to putting down 10 or 15 percent instead of 20. I … Read more
If you’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to choose where you live, the place that you choose can say a lot about you. For the last six years, I chose to live in various square-foot-challenged New York City apartments from Hell’s Kitchen to Brooklyn. Those little pieces in that giant city housed my hopes, … Read more
So you’re finally pre-approved, you’ve chosen your real estate agent, and you’ve saved a few extra-charming houses on your favorite home search apps — now you’re finally ready to tour homes. While there are likely to be a few bumps along the way (looking at you, bidding wars) there’s one obstacle you may not have … Read more
In a hot seller’s market, it’s tempting to forgo any and all improvements when listing your home. After all, with property inventory as low as it is, buyers are more willing to purchase homes that are in need of a little — or a lot — of TLC. But as the saying goes, “You’ve got … 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
I personally find these nuggets on TikTok. It has a super-specific algorithm and keeps a steady stream of real estate agents, stagers, and designers in my feed, along with super cute dog videos. My 90-year-old grandma also clips me articles from the newspaper, and has a keen sense of emerging real estate trends. (We talk … Read more
Are you thinking of adding some value to your home ahead of sticking the “For Sale” sign out on the front lawn? Before you start rolling up your sleeves, you need to consider whether those small home projects are even worth the time and effort. “When we talk to our clients, we give them three … Read more
Ashley Abramson Contributor Ashley Abramson is a writer-mom hybrid in Minneapolis, MN. Her work, mostly focused on health, psychology, and parenting, has been featured in the Washington Post, New York Times, Allure, and more. She lives in the Minneapolis suburbs with her husband and two young sons. Follow Ashley
Living on a cul-de-sac is the ultimate dream for some homeowners. For others, it is the bane of their existence. Let’s take a look at why this type of street that sounds so pretty in French can be so divisive. A cul-de-sac refers to a road that is closed at one end. Unlike other streets … Read more
It’s often necessary for homebuyers to make compromises based on their budgets. You might start out with a wish list of features you want your new home to have, but as you learn just how much those things actually cost, things get crossed off one by one. Compromise too much, though, and you might find … Read more