Good To Know

The term “agency” is used in real estate to help determine what legal responsibilities your real estate professional owes to you and other parties in the transaction. The seller’s representative (also known as a listing […]

Do you belong to a professional association? There are many associations for home inspectors, but some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Make sure the association your […]

Know that there’s no “right” time to buy. If you find the perfect home now, don’t risk losing it because you’re trying to guess where the housing market and interest rates are going. Those factors […]

Develop a household budget. Instead of creating a budget of what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget that reflects your actual spending habits over the last several months. This approach will […]

Get at least three written estimates. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. Be sure the contract states exactly […]

In addition to being a poor investment, these projects will often hurt the future sale of your home: Turning a bedroom into another type of space Installing an above ground pool Not keeping paint colors […]

Update your mailing address at usps.com or fill out a change-of-address form at your local post office. Change your address with important service providers, such as your bank(s), credit companies, magazine subscriptions, and others. Create […]

It’s natural for the sale price of a home to loom large in your mind. But don’t forget to look at what your property tax bill might be. What is the assessed value of the […]

When you walk away from the closing table with a big stack of papers, know what to file away for future reference. Loan estimate Your lender is required to provide you with this three-page document […]

Radon A colorless, odorless gas that can seep into your home from the ground, radon is often referred to as the second most common cause of lung cancer behind smoking. What to look for: Basements […]