When it comes to buying a house, it’s easy to find ways to fall in love with a property. But what about ways to avoid buying the wrong house altogether? Zillow recently reported that up to three-quarters of homebuyers in the last two years have had some regrets about...
Home Buying Report Winter 2022
Winter 2022 - NAEBA Homebuying Report Purchasing a home in the winter months presents some unique challenges to home buyers. As the largest association of home buying specialists in the country, we surveyed our members in January 2022 to see what issues home buyers...
Before House Hunting, Choose Your Attorney and Inspector
We recommend that house hunters choose an attorney and an inspector -- and a back-up for each -- early in the house hunting process. That way, when you find a house and start making an offer, you are not scrambling to interview attorneys and inspectors during a busy...
Don’t Skip the Home Inspection
A few months ago, my clients and I attended an almost perfect home inspection. They were purchasing a classic 1940s Cape Cod that had been meticulously maintained. The only issue the home inspector found was a loose faucet in one of the bathrooms. Most home...
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 floors,...
Moving from New York? Chicago will put you in a New York frame of mind.
The decision to move has been made, maybe for a job transfer, family obligation or something in between…Whether a native or transplant, you have grown to love the neighborhood and all the city has to offer, so even getting to this point might not be easy. Finding an...
Keep Your Head Above Water: How to Check a House for Water Problems
Looking to buy a home and want to check if a house has water problems? Use your nose! This sounds silly but trust me, in some cases your nose will be just as important as your eyes when searching for water damage. Whenever my clients and I enter a basement I will...
What is a post settlement occupancy agreement?
A post settlement occupancy agreement happens when sellers and buyers agree to allow the seller to stay in the house after settlement. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, sellers need to stay in a home to finish out the school year. Other times they...
Is that Condo a Good Investment?
A condominium can be an excellent first home purchase. Condos tend to be smaller and less expensive than a single-family home. Buying a condo can be a good way to start building equity in a home. So what do you need to know? What is a condominium? A condominium is a...
What Does ‘Completely Remodeled’ Mean? 6 Things to Look For
There's an expectation when you see the phrase "completely remodeled" in a home listed for sale. 'Remodel', according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary means "to change the structure, shape, or appearance of something". When the phrase "completely remodeled" is...
What Security Features Should House Hunters Look For?
When on the hunt for your dream home, there are a few security features you should pay attention to. We've outlined the key points below: What should a house hunter know about locks? I took this picture in a condo building. It was the kind of building that had one...
Friends don’t let friends hire dual/designated agents
When a real estate brokerage serves both the buyer and the seller, what can go wrong? The seller’s agent – who must get the best price for the seller – is the same company that must get the best price for the buyer. Legally, and structurally, companies are run by a...