An estimated 2 million home buyers are poised to take the plunge just as soon as the economy returns from the deep. That’s because Americans still place a high value on homeownership, but qualifying for a mortgage and raising a down payment in an economy that won’t produce jobs, keeps many of them sitting on the fence. Eighty-nine percent of owners and 59 percent of renters feel that homeownership is important to the American family...

Having your home look like a million bucks doesn’t have to cost you big. Following a few simple design tips and researching the latest styles can help you can transform your dull space into divine living.   The first rule of budget design is to have a clear focus. Work on one room and one design at a time. The reasoning behind this is simple. It’s too easy to go over-budget if you are shopping for multiple projects at the same...

  Remodeling Magazine’s latest Cost Versus Value Report 2010-2011 has been released and it revealed that the recent declines in housing are having substantial effects on the remodeling market.   Unfortunately for homeowners, there has been a downward trend since 2006 in the cost-to-value ratio, though now this pace has quickened, falling 3.8 percent in the last year. While homeowners were once able to make upgrades and additions...

#1. Selecting the right Realtor. Look for the realtor that has the most knowledge and experience. This is not the time to be with a novice or part-timer. Interview at least three before making your choice. #2. Preparing the house before placing on the market. De-personalize your house as you want the buyer to view it as their potential home. Prepare the inside as if you were ready to move this week. Most sellers do not see how much clutter is...

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that “affordability” is the top reason for home buying in 2010. That makes sense, especially in unstable market conditions. Buyers, as always, are looking for a bargain but, more than ever, they’ve been enticed by low home prices and low interest rates, according to a survey by Weichert Realtors, Inc. The survey gathered information from 1,261 of the company’s customers who bought homes between...