The attic may be one of the spaces in the house that everyone prefers to avoid, but many people forget that an attic can be a great place for a bedroom or an additional living room. If you're wondering how you can go about upgrading your attic for everyday use, here are some things to think about before you move forward. Consider The Access Routes In order for an attic to function as a truly livable space, you will need to have access to it and there will also need to be a fire escape route. This means that, in addition to a staircase that has a minimum clearance height, you will also require … [Read More...]
There are plenty of things that you'll need to shape up when you embark on selling your home, whether it's painting the house or the minor fix-ups, but it's easy to forget about some items that will be readily apparent to homebuyers. If you're preparing to put your home on the market and are wondering what you shouldn't miss, here are a few reasons why replacing your front door should be at the top of the list. It's The First Thing Buyers Will Notice While the yard and the exterior of your home may be the most noticeable things to a potential homebuyer when they visit your home, the door will … [Read More...]
Without a doubt, it can be both overwhelming and exciting to find your dream home and be able to put the money down for it. However, there are a lot of things to know before signing on the dotted line so you can avoid buyer's remorse. Instead of going it alone, here are a few tips to keep in mind before you decide to commit to your new home. A Good Agent Is Important Many homeowners want to find the right place on their own, but having an agent along to assist you in the process can go a long way towards finding your ideal home at the right price. Instead of risking it, choose an agent that … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included readings from the National Association of Home Builders, Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. NAHB Housing Market Index Rises, Exceeds Expectations Builder Sentiment rose two points in May, which exceeded expectations of no change to April's reading of 68. Builders and analysts said that short inventories of available homes continue to drive demand for new homes. While index readings jumped immediately after the Presidential election in November, builder enthusiasm … [Read More...]
With low interest rates and uncertainty as to where the real estate market will be in the next six months, many people are opting into ownership and investing in a home. Interestingly, according to the National Association of Realtors, approximately 17 percent of homebuyers in the United States last year were women, which is a much higher percentage than the 7 percent of single men who invested in a home. While the statistics may be interesting enough on their own, here are some of the reasons why women may be opting in. Single Parent Security The numbers don't lie, and it's a fact that there … [Read More...]
Many home sellers attempt to get into the real estate market on their own without consulting the counsel of an experienced real estate agent. However, while having an agent will certainly cost you a percentage of your home sale, it can get you a lot more in the end for a lot less headache. If you're currently considering going agentless, here are some reasons you may want to get an expert involved. They Have Neighborhood Knowledge It's easy enough to look through the MLS listings and get and good sense of what a home in your neighborhood is worth, but a good real estate agent will already know … [Read More...]
