Home Buying

When you’re buying a home, one of the most important choices you’ll make is selecting the right mortgage lender. The lender you choose will influence your loan options, interest rate, and overall experience — potentially saving you thousands over time. In this Redfin article, we’ll walk through how to compare lenders, what to look for, and how to make the smartest choice for your budget. Whether...

Key takeaways:  Escrow ensures fairness and security by holding funds or documents with a neutral third party until all transaction terms are met. There are two main types of escrow: Transaction escrow (during the purchase) and mortgage escrow (after closing). Escrow accounts simplify ownership costs by combining property taxes and insurance into one predictable monthly payment. They also reduce risk...

If you’ve been wondering how long you have to buy a house after selling one to avoid a tax penalty, you’re dealing with a widely circulated, but outdated belief. The idea that you must purchase another home within a specified window after selling your current one in order to avoid taxes is no longer accurate.  Rather than focusing on a deadline for buying another house, current U.S. tax law hinges on...

Let’s face it, clutter happens to the best of us. Piles of mail, overflowing closets, and that random collection of “maybe I’ll use it someday” items can quickly make your home feel smaller and more chaotic than it really is. That’s where smart declutter tips come in.  In this Redfin guide, we’ll show you practical, budget-friendly ways to reclaim your space, simplify your daily life, and...

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...

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...

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...