Key takeaways: Get your finances in order early to know what you can afford. Find the right team – a great agent and lender make all the difference. Stay organized from preapproval to closing to make the process smoother. You’ve been scrolling listings for weeks, maybe a craftsman-style home in Seattle, WA or a sunny condo in Nashville, TN. Exciting, but overwhelming too. Between preapproval,...

Moving into a new home is exciting, but that feeling can quickly be replaced with dread when you’re faced with a sea of moving boxes. Whether you’ve relocated across town or across the country, having a clear plan for unpacking will help you settle in faster. Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to make unpacking after a move as stress-free as possible. 1. Clean your space before unpacking Before...

Heat waves continue to affect most of the U.S. this summer. Here's how you can protect your HVAC system during the heat and conserve energy...

Moving into a new home is exciting, but an often-overlooked step of the homebuying process is setting up utilities for your new house. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer in Phoenix or relocating to a new house in Detroit, making sure your electricity, water, gas, and internet are ready to go will make for a much smoother move. Here’s a complete guide on how to set up utilities so your new home is...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about how a government shutdown impacts the housing market. You might be wondering: Is it causing everything to grind to a...

Buying a home with a VA loan comes with a few extra steps designed to protect veterans and active-duty service members, and the property inspection process is one that’s often misunderstood. A lot of buyers assume the Department of Veterans Affairs sends an inspector to go through the entirety of the home before closing. In reality, that’s not quite how it works. The VA doesn’t require a full...

Key Takeaways: Real estate agent commissions for rental properties are either paid for by the tenant enlisting services or the property landlord. The amount paid in agent commissions for a rental property depends on factors such as location, price, services provided, and local market practices. Rental agents can help finding rental properties, accompanying tenants on showings, and assisting with...

Real estate, much like the weather, has its seasons. Spring and summer often bring activity, with more homes hitting the market and buyers eager to make a move. Fall and winter, however, typically see a natural cooling. This is known as real estate seasonality.  It’s a normal pattern influenced by factors like school calendars, holidays, and weather. But how do you tell the difference between a typical...

Key takeaways Drone photography offers aerial perspectives, highlighting a property’s best features and surroundings. It enhances property listings, attracting more interest and potentially leading to faster sales. Professional drone pilots ensure high-quality, safe, and legally compliant aerial imagery. In today’s competitive housing market, compelling visuals are essential. Drone photography...

Heat waves continue to affect most of the U.S. this summer. Here's how you can protect your HVAC system during the heat and conserve energy...