A First Time Home Buyer’s Guide in Recession
Becoming a homeowner for the first time is a big step. Buying a new home is also a large financial commitment. So it’s understandable that when home prices drop and mortgage payments and interest rates alike are lower than usual, renters begin to think about the real...
Buying your first home? How to find a Good Buyer’s Agent
Buying Your First Home? How to Find a Good Buyer’s Agent Home buying is a tricky road, even in the best of times. Right now we’re in a seller’s market and it’s almost impossible for a buyer to get a fair shake. So the question is: how do you find a good buyer’s agent?...
10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a House
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
Many consumers know that the off-season is typically the best season for bargain shopping. In most US markets, the off-season for home buying is the winter, particularly during the holidays and in the first quarter of the new year. However, winter home buying creates...
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...
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...