When discussing the current status of property values, real estate professionals utilize a variety of phrases. And while some of those terms seem identical, they have completely different meanings.    Appreciation occurs when the value of a house rises. When housing values fall, this is known as depreciation. This is known as deceleration when property … Continue reading Difference Between Home Price Deceleration and Home Depreciation →

Selling a house in a slow market is like playing the world’s worst waiting game. But for sellers who want to make a deal quickly, there are ways to boost your offers and close a bid in short order – even if the market isn’t that hot. If you’re struggling to sell your home, try … Continue reading Is Your Local Market Slowing Down 4 Tips on How To Increase the Number of Offers You Get →

Are you considering buying a flipped house? Here are some ways to tell if it is a good idea or not. If you watch popular TV shows like Property Brothers, Flip or Flop and Fixer Upper, you might believe that buying a remodeled home is a great idea. These shows always have happy endings. The … Continue reading Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Remodeled Home? →

If you are a home owner trying to reduce your carbon footprint, it's time to make some changes to your property. The more you can do to reduce energy costs, increase efficiency and reduce waste, the less impact you and your home will have on the earth. From small changes, such as using energy efficient … Continue reading How To Green Up Your Home To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint →

When buying properties this season, being strategic and competitive is essential. That is why pre approval is so crucial in today's world. The only way to know how much money you can borrow for your loan is to get preapproval from a lender. The Mortgage Reports' Editor, Peter Warden, explains:    "The lender will examine … Continue reading Pre-Approval: The Key to Today’s Home Buying Process →

Climate change and natural catastrophes have made Americans more aware than ever before of the impact they might have on their houses. According to a realtor.com report:  "More than three-quarters of recent buyers, or 78 percent, considered [natural catastrophes] when deciding where to build their houses..."  According to the report, many current homeowners (34 percent) … Continue reading Effects of Climate Change to the House Market Trend Today →

Carving out space for a home office isn't always easy, but if you have the option to work from home even part of the time, it's essential to have a space that works for you. Here are 5 great ways to meet those needs:   Adapt a Closet   A guest room closet with bi-fold … Continue reading Home Renovations for Working From Home →

Ask any experienced homeowner and you'll learn that buying in a 'hot' real estate market can be challenging. A high supply of buyers competing for a low stock of available homes is a combination that can lead to bidding wars, price inflation and other headaches. The good news: with some careful preparation and the right … Continue reading Win the Bidding War With Our 5 Minute Guide to Making an Offer the Seller Won’t Refuse →

"Move-in ready" homes are desirable -- there's no doubt about it! But sometimes it makes better financial sense to opt for a house with dated decor and a less than trendy kitchen or master bath. You may not get your dream home immediately, but the opportunity to transform a property into your own swan can … Continue reading When It Makes Sense To Buy An Ugly Duckling →

When you are filling out a mortgage application, the lender will be asking you for specific financial information. One of the reasons they ask for this information is to enable the underwriter to calculate your debt to income ratio. This ratio is what most mortgage lenders use to determine the level of risk they are … Continue reading Understanding Your Debt To Income Ratio →