Summer vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and create lasting memories with family and friends. However, before you embark on your well-deserved getaway, it's crucial to prepare your home for your absence. Taking a few simple steps to secure and maintain your home...
Homeowner Tips
What Is Assessed Value? Understanding Assessed Value vs. Market Value
When it comes to real estate, one of the most important things to understand is the value of a property. Understanding the value of a property isn't always a simple process as a consumer. Despite the many scenarios in homeownership, there are two primary ways to...
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit? What Homebuyers Need to Know
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is not a novel concept. ADUs have existed in some form in the United States for almost as long as housing. So, what is an accessory dwelling unit? Once known as servant's quarters, ADUs morphed into "mother-in-law houses," garage...
Is a Condo a Good Investment?
Buying your first property can be a financial challenge, so it's important to consider all your options. A condominium can be a perfect entry point into property ownership before moving onto a single-family home. It's often more affordable to pay a monthly mortgage...
Ice Dams and Icicles
Icicles may be pretty to look at, but they can do considerable damage to your home's exterior by tearing off gutters, loosening shingles and causing water to back up and leak on the interior. When that happens, the results aren't pretty: peeling paint, warped...
Quick Decorating Fixes for Home Buyers
So you've decided to buy a home and your Exclusive Buyer Representative has carefully vetted all of your desires in that new home. One of the services your NAEBA real estate agent will do is to show you all of the properties that fit your "model" in your preferred...
Home Buying Tax Credits to End April 30, 2010; Still Time to Take Advantage
First-time home buyers can secure a federal income tax credit of up to $8,000 and existing homeowners can claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 if they enter into a binding sales contract to purchase a home by April 30, 2010, and complete the closing by June 30, 2010....
Home Buying Experts Support New Legislation to Remove Home Buyer Tax Credit Marriage Penalty
The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) expresses support for legislation recently introduced by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY17) that would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 eliminating the so called "marriage penalty" from the Home Buyer...
No Electronic Filing for Home Buyers Claiming Home Buyer Tax Credit
Electronic filing takes some of the stress out of tax day, but this year homeowners may be surprised to learn that if they are claiming the Home Buyer Tax Credit e-filing is not an option. Home buying experts, The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA)...
Buyer Guidance Needed to Improve Home Ownership Levels
What Home Buyers Should Know about Mortgage Insurance
You can buy a home with as little as 3% down, but there is a catch! When you finance your home purchase with less than 20% down, you will be required to carry mortgage insurance. The mortgage insurance protects the lender from financial losses if you default on the...
6 Income Tax Deductions for Homeowners
Home ownership can provide significant tax breaks, when you have eligible deductions and itemize your income tax return. We've put together a list of 6 income tax deductions that apply to home ownership, with tips from the Motley Fool and the IRS! Please keep in mind...