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So you've decided to list your home this winter. Perhaps you've had a job change, need to relocate out of the area, or have financial or family reasons for moving. No matter what is driving the move, you may be concerned about selling at this time of year. But just because you missed the boat on the spring selling season doesn't mean you can't get your home sold quickly, and for a profit. A few tips can help get it moving. Take photos early... or late If you can take photos [...]

If you're hoping to buy a property in a competitive market, then you probably know that a bidding war with another hopeful buyer may be in the cards. But you don't have to be a real estate tycoon to know how to negotiate; the key to surviving a bidding war is to be prepared. Here's what you need to know before you head into battle: Cash is King Cash is a universal language that everyone understands. You likely aren't reading articles like this one if you're able to buy a home [...]

Ahh, Etsy—the online marketplace of organic hemp totes and crocheted alpaca-wool throws. So many unique goods can be found in this online marketplace that would look just adorable in your home! Yet if you dig beneath the cute doggy backpacks and calligraphy cake toppers, you'll quickly find a dark side to Etsy. A sinister side. As proof, let us take you on an Etsy tour of some creepy oddities, disturbing crafts, and chilling vintage items you'll wish had stayed in the attic. 1. A coat rack made of baby doll limbs   Photo Via abbynormalsworkshop Ahh, Etsy—the online marketplace [...]

Remember all those people who defaulted on their homes during the last housing crisis? Well, those bankruptcies are about to be discharged, or they already have been, and that means we could soon see an avalanche of homebuyers hitting the market. Just what constitutes an avalanche? "More than 12.8 million homes entered the foreclosure process - roughly 29 percent of all homes with a mortgage," between 2007 and 2014," said The BIG Picture. "At the peak of foreclosures in 2009, more than 650,000 homes, 1.5 percent of those with a mortgage, entered [...]

So you're moving, and on your verrrrrry long moving-related "to-do" list is that old favorite: packing. Did you just let out a big sigh at the thought? Us, too. Face it, it's no fun. Actually putting stuff in boxes isn't the hard part for many people; It's the dreaded sorting and decluttering and getting rid of stuff that sends many into a panic. Take a deep breath and we'll get through these tips together. First, use this advice from Rent.com as an overall rule of thumb: "For one, if it's damaged, it should be thrown [...]

If you've so much as dipped your toe into the real estate market the past couple of summers, you know the water in some spots is really, really hot. More than a quarter of homes nationally sold above the asking price in June, according to real estate brokerage Redfin, and homes were on the market for a median of just 36 days. In some areas, they're selling even faster. In Boston, homes flew off the market in nine days. In Denver, Portland, Ore., and Seattle, the median listing lasted only a week. [...]

We've discussed the process of selling a house you live in, but selling a rental property is an entirely different bird. For tax purposes, a rental house or condo is considered an investment property, which makes the sale a bit more complicated. When you sell a rental it can be subject to different taxes and rules than a standard residential sale. Read on for the essential facts. 1. Your tenant may have first right of refusal One of the first things to understand is how local real estate laws will affect your sale. Real estate expert [...]

Yay, your offer's been accepted and you're about to become a homeowner! Now you're ready to move onto the next phase in the buying process: Securing a mortgage. There's a lot to do in between receiving your pre-approval letter and making your first payment and, unfortunately, this is one area where making mistakes really can have unfortunate consequences. Keep these tips in mind to help make the process as smooth as possible. DO: Provide a Financial Paper Trail When you first submitted your offer, you probably had to provide a general [...]

Older generations always seem to think millennials are doing it all wrong, but the truth is, millennials aren't all that different from their grandparents—especially when it comes to buying their first homes. New research from Zillow confirms that, while younger people are putting off buying homes later than previous generations (age 33 on average, while older generations averaged out at 29—unsurprising, given the recession and the student loan debt that many millennials are facing), they still have a sizable impact on the housing market. Last year, millennials made up 42 percent of home [...]

After a seller accepts a buyer's offer to purchase a property, it's time to make it official, in the form of a real estate contract. This document is one of the most important steps in the home-buying process, as it clears the way for both parties to begin the transfer of property. It means that the sellers can begin planning to move out, while the buyers can work with their agent, lender, and attorney get their ducks in a row for closing. But at what point are both parties actually locked into the contract? When is a real estate [...]

Every successful home search begins with a wish list. Armed with your inventory of must-haves, you'll know how to focus your search and recognize a potential home that isn't worth your time. Still, there's a strange thing that seems to happen when you're deep in the trenches of house hunting: The more you look, the longer that wish list seems to grow. But sooner or later, you have to own up to the fact that you can’t have everything—it's inevitable that you'll make some compromises somewhere. And, in these days of tight inventory and cutthroat competition [...]

Perusing online real estate listings can be nothing less than addictive. We've all spent time scouring the internet, ogling homes for sale that we don't intend—or can't afford—to buy. Because it's fun! But would you ever hop in the car and go look at a house in person, even if you're not at all ready to make an offer? Before you dismiss the idea, consider what you stand to gain by turning house hunting into an extracurricular activity. Just ask Kristin McGrath. She and her husband visited all sorts of open houses in Austin, TX, while they [...]

Making a major move to a new city can have you channeling your inner Jesse Spano: "I'm so excited! I'm so... scared." But fear not; getting to know the lay of the land in a new place isn't so hard, if you know what to do and where to look. In any new town, these 5 local-focused adventures will have you familiar with your new scene (and new neighbors) in no time. Subscribe to the City Magazine A magazine subscription can be had for relatively cheap, and it'll give you a chance to [...]