Marketplace

Whether you’re living in your forever home or thinking about putting your house on the market, it’s always good to be on the lookout for ways to boost your home’s value without having to spend a lot of money. Focusing on your kitchen and bathrooms will likely give the best bang for your buck. You will also catch the attention of buyers if you plan to list. With that in mind, here are some...

You’ve accepted an offer on your home, but suddenly your dreams of a smooth transaction are shattered by a home inspection report. The buyers are requesting over a dozen repairs and say they will walk if the issues aren’t addressed. Even in a seller’s market, the thought of starting all over again is less than appealing. Besides, the next buyers may ask for the same repairs. You can market your home...

There are a lot of times when a seller wants to sell their home quickly, but that doesn’t always mean they are ready to move quickly. Situations like waiting on a new construction home to be finished, the start or end of the school year, problems scheduling movers or the timing of a work-related relocation are just a few of the reasons a seller may want to stay put for just a bit longer.Rather than...

If you’ve done your homework, you know how important it is to get your financial house in order before applying for your mortgage. But in many ways, that’s just the first step. A lot of buyers let out a big sigh of relief once they’ve gotten through their application, and end up making some mistakes that can cost them time, money and headache. In some cases, a misstep could even cost them their loan...

The mortgage process can be one of the most anxiety-ridden steps in achieving new homeownership. There are all the necessary documents to pull together, the need to avoid large purchases or opening lines of credit, and often, repeated requests for additional information along the way. And, one of the biggest pain points is understanding how much money you need to bring to the table when it finally comes...

When getting ready to buy a home, most would-be new homeowners focus on saving up a down payment. While that’s important, coming up with enough cash for a down payment is only part of the picture. Until you also save enough to cover all your closing costs, you aren’t financially prepared to purchase your home. What are closing costs? Closing costs are a summation of the additional fees you will pay...

The idea of buying a home can be exciting–especially if it is your first home purchase. Homeownership can offer a number of financial and emotional benefits. While there are several steps to get through before you can start to enjoy homeownership, it’s important to be sure you’re ready for what lies ahead before you start viewing properties. Here are three important questions to ask yourself as you...

Checklists for packing and moving are plentiful. There are lists on what to do before you pack, how to keep your packing organized, and what to do each step of the way in the weeks leading up to the big day. But what about after the move? Buying and moving into your new home is exciting. What isn’t so exciting, however, is unpacking all those boxes. It’s no wonder some new homeowners still have...

Staging your home is a proven way to help bring top dollar. Even in a seller’s market, it is to your advantage to have your home looking its best. Professional home stagers are the experts, but if you don’t have any room in your budget, there are still plenty of things you can do to present your house at its very best. Here are six steps to take as you prep your home for buyers: 1. Start...

Painting is one of the easiest and least-cost ways you can update your home–and the transformation is often nothing short of amazing. But did you know the paint colors you choose could have a significant impact on your home’s value if you’re planning to sell? Recent surveys of 1,400 new or prospective homebuyers suggest that certain paint colors could increase your home’s value by as much as...