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Keep decorations simple There’s something about the holiday season that makes a house feel like home. But when selling, less is more, so avoid excessive Christmas decorations. Aim for tasteful holiday decorations like a small tree in one corner, a few wrapped gifts underneath (consider wrapping empty boxes in case of package thieves!), a nice […]

How to sell a home in the winter Winter is not the peak real estate season, but winter home sales are becoming more common, as home sales increase across all seasons. According to Zillow research, 23 percent fewer homes are sold in winter than in spring, and homes listed for sale in the winter stay […]

It feels great to get a high price for the sale of your home, but watch out: The IRS may want a piece of the action. That’s because capital gains on real estate are taxable sometimes. Here’s how you can minimize or even avoid a tax bite on the sale of your house. How does a […]

What are closing costs? Closing costs are fees associated with your home purchase that are paid at the closing of a real estate transaction. Closing is the point in time when the title of the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer. Closing costs are incurred by either the buyer or seller. What fees can you […]

In school, it’s graduation. In romance, it’s the wedding. And in real estate, the magic day is closing. Unlike those other big life-changing moments, closing day (or settlement day) is short on ceremony and long on signing. Closing day can also seem mysterious and confusing, so here’s a rundown of what you should expect. Your […]

Selling a house can feel like the short end of the real estate transaction. After you’ve prepped and staged the house to perfection, strangers get to walk through and cast their judgments while the sweat drips from your brow. In the end, you’re the one who has to say goodbye to a place you called home. But if you manage to […]

What Is The Difference Between Due Diligence Money and Earnest Money? If you are shopping for a home and are hearing terms you aren’t familiar with such as due diligence money and earnest money, you might be wondering what the difference between the two is, how they affect you, how much they will cost you, […]

Thinking about buying a home in a community with a homeowner’s association (HOA)? Before you make an offer, make sure you understand how these organizations work.  An HOA is run by a Board of Directors (homeowners elected by other residents), and it’s the responsibility of the association to set rules and regulations for the neighborhood. […]

Nobody wants to find a dream home only to end up in a bidding war. But with a good realtor and some preparation, you can be ready to win a bidding war every time. Putting an offer on a home can be exhilarating, especially if the offer you submit is exactly what the seller has […]

When it’s time to choose the perfect cabinets for your kitchen, one of the decisions you will have to make is whether to choose painted or stained cabinets. Maybe that decision is one you have already made, and you know exactly which you will choose.  Perhaps you are still debating which option suits you best. […]