Whether you’re welcoming guests or potential home buyers, it’s important that your home make a good first impression. But with so many elements — flowerbeds, lawn, mailbox, porch and the all-important front door — addressing...
Whether you’re welcoming guests or potential home buyers, it’s important that your home make a good first impression. But with so many elements — flowerbeds, lawn, mailbox, porch and the all-important front door — addressing...
Buying a shiny new home straight from the builder’s sales office might feel as simple as buying a new car, but you should have your own real estate agent for new construction. Of course, the...
For a seller, when is a home price reduction a good choice? Say you’re selling your home and have a decent offer in hand. But to get the agreement, the buyers want to negotiate a...
You probably use your dishwasher daily, so it seems counterintuitive that you must clean the appliance itself. But dirt and grime can build up in your dishwasher and keep it from working its best. Here’s...
Owners of investment rental properties face a decision whether to manage their rentals themselves or to hire a professional property management company. The advantages and disadvantages are multifaceted, so let’s analyze them. Direct vs. indirect...
Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) is a legal concept that allows a city or municipality to annex a geographic area. If you live either inside the ETJ or within the city limits next to it, the impact...
When your budget allows for a large home or a spacious yard but not both, how do you choose? Here’s what you should consider in deciding on lot size versus house size. As always, location...
Securing a good interest rate and qualifying for a home require a good credit report. That’s easier said than done, especially for today’s millennials who are often weighed down by student loan debt. Here’s a...
Many Americans tune out coverage of climate change, thinking the risks it poses will affect them “someday.” But with dangerous storms, excessive heat and droughts becoming more frequent and extreme, consumers are already feeling the...
When you are buying a home, it’s important to determine whether any renovations or remodeling projects were properly permitted. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to undertake such work without the required permits and government inspections....
The closing is the culmination of a real estate transaction, when the property title and payment exchange, and the professionals guiding the transaction get paid for their services. Depending on the state in which your...
You won’t have to guess if you have a natural gas leak in your home. That rotten-egg odor rivets your attention. Occasionally, doorbell cameras capture the terrifying scene of an explosion at a nearby house...
