As home prices increase, homeowners have options. Some are quickly gaining back the equity they lost over the last several years. That creates opportunity to maybe refinance, remodel, or sell. If you’re sitting on the fence trying to determine whether to list your home for sale or to remodel it, consider these important tips. Tip 1: Do a “Love it or List it” Analysis. On a sheet of paper write down the things you love about...

The rich patina of wood floors adds beauty and elegance to any home. Older homes were once routinely constructed with hardwood floors, but that practice was abandoned in the 1950s, when new technologies made wall-to-wall carpeting available. Builders were able to build more homes faster, for the post-war baby boom, and save money on labor. But today, many homeowners prefer hardwoods to carpet. Hardwoods help give the impression that your home...

As a member of the real estate industry for more than 30 years, I’ve never seen the market bounce back as well as it did in 2013. It was a great year for the real estate industry including agents, sellers and buyers. One of the best indicators for housing is new construction, and it took a huge leap in 2013. Purchases of new homes surged towards the end of the year. In October, sales jumped 25.4% to an annualized pace of 444,000 nationally....

Prices are rising and perhaps there are fewer homes for sale where you want to live. What can you do to put the odds in your favor? First, get preapproved by a lender. That means sharing your financial information, going online and playing with a mortgage calculator. Give the lender the documentation they need, such as salary stubs, revolving credit obligations, and bank statements. You’ll know for certain how much you can afford, how...

When you’re writing out the holiday shopping list, maybe it’s time to put you on it and a home as the gift. If you’ve been considering buying a home, here are a few reasons why shopping for one during the holiday season can benefit you. Yes, it may involve you really prioritizing your time; the holiday season is a busy time. But if you can make time to house-hunt and you have already been pre-approved so you know how much home...