Ask These 5 Crucial Questions Before You Buy a House
No matter how many episodes of “House Hunters” or “Love It or List It” you’ve watched, buying a home inevitably comes with surprises. Though a sharp real estate agent will help you navigate these hidden challenges, before you start shopping for a house, you should...
Common Repairs Needed After a Home Inspection: What Must Sellers Fix?
If you’re selling your home, you might wonder if there are common repairs needed after a home inspection. Most buyers, after all, won’t commit to purchasing a place until there’s been a thorough inspection by a home inspector—and rest assured, if there are problems,...
When a Home Is Suddenly Called ‘Historic’
Merrill and Karen King had just signed a contract last October to sell their four-bedroom, four-bathroom, 3,096-square-foot home, and three adjacent buildable lots, in St. Petersburg, Fla., to a developer for $960,000. Their circa-1925 home was known locally as the...
How Long Does It Take to Close on a House?
How long does it take to close on a house? During your house-hunting adventures, you’ve turned on (and hopefully off) at least 20 water faucets and peered into about 50 closets (oh, the things you’ve seen!). And now, at long last, you’ve saved your down payment,...
5 Surprising Financial Lessons I Learned About Paying For My First Home
I pride myself on being pretty financially savvy—after all, I’m a personal finance writer. I’m well versed in best practices for saving and spending, the ins and outs of HSAs and IRAs, and the basics of investing. But when it came time to buy my first house, I had to...
How Much Home Can I Afford? Find That Magic Number Here
How much house can I afford? Long before you start asking yourself what type of house you want—condo or house? Craftsman or ranch?—you should ask yourself this pragmatic question. After all, it’s no secret that your dream home can quickly turn into a living nightmare...
7 Nasty Surprises You May Encounter During Demolition
For a homeowner starting a remodel, the feeling of finally swinging that sledgehammer can be cathartic. Even if you’re not the one doing the dirty work, just knowing that those unnecessary walls and ugly carpet are getting ripped out is exhilarating. However, the...
Mortgage programs help buyers who take on fixer-uppers
In the second quarter of 2019, there were 511 flipped homes sold in the Boston area — more than in all of 2015 or 2016. But buyers would rather compromise on location.
Four home design trends to watch
Experts tell you how to incorporate them into your home. Get more design inspiration at realestate.boston.com.
US new-home sales climbed 7.1 percent, but slipped in Northeast
Along with an uptick in home construction and sales of existing homes, the jump in new-home sales may signal a strengthening market. Get the latest market news at realestate.boston.com.
5 Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender Before Refinancing Your Home
Many homeowners with mortgages have considered refinancing at some point or another. Refinancing a mortgage essentially replaces your current mortgage with a new loan. It’s an especially enticing choice for people who want to decrease their interest rate, lower their...
Closing Costs for Sellers: Common Fees Associated With Selling Your Home
If you’re monitoring the value of your home so you can sell it and reap a worthwhile profit, don’t forget to factor in the closing costs for sellers into the sale price. You may be estimating that your sale price could be $350,000, which could pay off your $200,000...
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