Real Estate « Personal Finance Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Real Estate’

5 Tips for Successfully Selling Your Home in a Short Sale

January 13, 2012

Selling your home in a short sale is one way to avoid foreclosure. If you’re considering a short sale, then you’re working out an arrangement with your lender to sell the home for less than the amount you owe on the mortgage. Since you’re unlikely an expert at conducting a short sale, there are some tips you should follow to ensure its success.

Dangers of Over-Pricing Your Home

October 14, 2011

You’ve decided to put your house on the market. You’ve given it a lot of thought, weighed the pros and cons. You’ve talked with your family and together you’ve determined that now is the time.

Before the “For Sale” sign is placed in your front yard, you have some more decisions to make. Possibly the most important is the list price of your house. How much are you hoping to get for your home? What’s fair and reasonable in this market? And what are the risks of pricing your home too high?

8 Tips For Making a Lowball Offer on a House

October 11, 2011

Hoping to take advantage of the distressed real estate market and get a great deal on a new home? In many parts of the country, there are more homes for sale than there are potential buyers, putting you squarely in the driver’s seat when looking to purchase a house. There is no precise definition of a “lowball” offer, but it is generally understood to mean a price that is substantially below the asking price or even market value.

To help you find your dream home at a discount, consider the following tips for making a lowball offer.

Investing in Real Estate: How to Decide if it’s the Right Move for You

October 4, 2011

The stock market is looking fairly bleak, while mortgage rates are at historic lows. For a first-time investor or even the avid investor, now is a great time to take advantage of low rates and invest in real estate. But before you take the leap, here are a few things to consider.

Home Buying: Get Your Priorities in Order

September 16, 2011

Finding and viewing houses during the home buying process can be dizzying, especially for first-time home buyers. Before you start looking at homes, it’s important to set your housing priorities. We give you a few items that should make your list so finding the right home is a breeze.

Are “Tiny Houses” the Next Big Trend in Homeownership?

September 14, 2011

A shift may be happening in how many Americans view homeownership. Gone are the days when “bigger is better” and the more square footage your home has, the larger your life. Many people are instead opting for a simpler lifestyle and smaller homes – much, much smaller. Learn about the trend in “tiny houses” and why some Americans believe great homes come in small packages.

5 Signs of a Bad Real Estate Agent

July 26, 2011

When you’re looking to buy or sell a home, the right real estate agent can make a huge difference. Good real estate agents are well connected, understand the local market and can help you negotiate the best housing deal possible. A bad agent, on the other hand, can cost you time and money – not to mention become a source of unneeded frustration. Find out five phrases commonly used by bad real estate agents so you’re aware of the cues that it’s time to find a new agent.

Your House Is Your Home, Your Castle and Your Refuge

May 10, 2011

Your home may be your castle, but when it comes time to sell it, you have to learn to emotionally detach yourself from it. Otherwise, you may be stuck wondering why potential buyers are walking away and deals are falling apart. Certified Financial Planner, Rick Kahler, explains how to detach yourself emotionally and make the sale happen.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home?

April 26, 2011

Since the housing bubble burst more than two years ago, families all across America have been holding onto to their houses. Many who considered selling decided to wait, which is good because many who considered buying decided to wait, too. But there are some indications the real estate market is beginning to recover. Depending on where you live, now may be a good time to think about buying (or selling) a home.

Is Investing in a Home in 2011 a Smart Idea?

January 18, 2011

For a few years now, many of us have been trying to decide if it’s the right time yet to invest in a home. On the one hand, we want to wait until the economy is in a little bit better shape and our own employment is a little bit more secure. On the other hand, we want to take advantage of getting the best price on a home and we know that we must be near the housing market price bottom. So, what do you think, is 2011 the year that we should invest in property?

4 Reasons to Refinance Your Home Loan

February 18, 2010

By: Chris Klau While lowering your interest rate on your home loan and saving money on your monthly mortgage payment is a good reason to refinance, it’s not the only one. Your home loan, if used properly, can help you achieve greater financial freedom and flexibility. It can help you accomplish life goals like going [...]