Maintenance tips, renovation ideas, and homeowner strategies to keep your home running smoothly and increasing in value.
2024 Edition Advertising Disclosure: We may receive compensation from the products and services mentioned on this page, but the opinions expressed are our own. As the days grow longer and warmer, homeowners across the country are turning their attention to spring home maintenance. After a long winter, it’s important to take the time to make…
With a red-hot real estate market being the new norm, more and more attention is being brought to the difficulties of homeownership for first-time buyers. However, with a steep learning curve for real estate lingo and time being the most critical factor in this market, one option stands out for homebuyers who may need a…
What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)? Conventional wisdom says paying less for something like a car or computer upfront is better. But when it comes to real estate and homeownership, this doesn’t always apply. In some cases, paying more upfront can lead to substantial long-term savings. While it may seem counterintuitive to part with a…
What You Need to Know It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare: You get up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water and something scatters in the kitchen. It’s small, fast, and has more legs than a city marathon. Often, people buy a home that looks clean and bug-free only to discover…
What is included in a total monthly mortgage payment? When you rent a home or apartment, you probably don’t think twice about where your monthly payment goes. You give your landlord a check, they cash it, and everyone sleeps soundly. But since you’re about to experience homeownership, you need to change the way you think…
If you’re wondering how to buy a house with no money, you’ve come to the right place. While it’s certainly easier to begin your journey as a first-time homebuyer when you have wads of cash on hand, a low bank account balance won’t necessarily prevent you from achieving your homeownership dreams. If you’re looking to…
As a homebuyer, chances are you have a lot on your plate. Maybe you’re worried about how you’re going to save for a down payment. Or perhaps you feel like your income is too low to be able to cover mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, and property taxes on your dream home. You might not have…
What’s the difference between a home warranty vs. home insurance? Imagine you’re preparing to make an offer on a new home, and your agent suggests you request a home warranty from the seller. As a condition of your mortgage, your lender has already informed you that you must obtain homeowner’s insurance. Doesn’t it seem redundant…
Let’s be honest: Nobody likes bugging family members to tweak the thermostat or air conditioner for energy savings gains. Facing record-setting temperatures and rising energy costs, most homeowners need to figure out how to strike the perfect balance between comfort and cost-efficiency — which is no easy feat. But with climate change wreaking havoc on…
Nothing defines the achievement of the American Dream more than purchasing a home and achieving homeownership. The real estate market can be pretty cutthroat, so you need to be “in it to win it” from the start of the process. This major life milestone is likely the largest investment you’ll ever make in your lifetime….