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13 is usually an unlucky number. But what about $13.7 trillion? That’s the total amount of home equity in the country (as of the first quarter of 2017), according to recent data from Freddie Mac. That’s double than what it was five years ago – and it’s predicted to increase even more as we move…

The “Broom Closet” Index We ranked 25 metropolitan areas using an index that combined United States Census Bureau data on median housing unit size (combined house and apartment), median square foot of housing space per person, median monthly housing costs, and cost per living as determined by the Council for Community and Economic Research. We…

Home shoppers around the country are frustrated. There aren’t enough homes for sale that meet their needs, and those that are available are often the subject of high price bidding wars. It’s no wonder that so many homeowners – Baby Boomers in particular — are finding it more sensible to stay in their current home…

Everyone selling a home wants to pad the profit margin and get top dollar for the property. Yet, buyers on the other end want to make sure they’re getting a deal. Fortunately, it’s possible to make both parties happy at the closing table. It all starts with an honest look at the house and careful…

Any real estate pro can tell you there are 3 important areas to consider if you’re selling your home: curb appeal, kitchen, and bathrooms. But, why wait till you sell your home to shape up these areas? Follow the advice of real estate professionals to put your home’s best “face” forward even if you’re not…

November 29, 2016 By: Brad Hunter, HomeAdvisor’s Chief Economist As mortgage rates increase over the next few years, home improvement activity is likely to increase with them. This may seem counter intuitive, but you can expect two somewhat opposing effects: one highly positive and one slightly negative. Negative Effect The negative effect will stem from…

Selling a home can be very stressful, but the right real estate agent can insulate you from many of those pressures. Here are some tips for enlisting a good agent: Hire an agent who is familiar with your neighborhood and the area sales activity. Decide on your priorities, quick sale, high offer, etc., and discuss…

October 4, 2016 On homeowners’ minds: taming those overgrown plants, bugs, and pesky critters!  In the third quarter of 2016, the nation’s homeowners increased their orders for services related to pest control, lawn care, and landscaping faster than they did for any other categories of home services. New data from HomeAdvisor, which compare the third…

Whether you are moving in or out, your home inspection report is a tool that will be of great value to you. If you think about it, you have paid someone to do a fairly comprehensive diagnostic test on your home, and their results are yours to keep. This article is designed to educate both…

You’ve finally found the real estate property you want, negotiated a contract and struck a deal. Now it’s time to have it inspected. An inspection will allow a qualified professional to take an objective look at the current condition of the property and prepare a report. Why have the property inspected? You are about to…