Sales Are Down, but First-Time Buyers See Opportunity
September marked the 79th month in a row of year-over-year home price increases. The median existing-home price climbed 4.2 percent to $258,100. This price increase is partly because of a supply decrease; inventory levels—especially levels for affordable homes—continue to hover near record lows. While price gains are beneficial to homeowners looking to sell, they also affect housing affordability for buyers... Read More
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Four Tips on How to Stick to Your Budget during the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for reconnecting with family and making lasting memories, but if you're not careful, the rush of holiday sales and last-minute travel plans can put a serious ding in your budget. Here are a few tips for staying frugal this holiday season:
Avoid Last-Minute Travel
Making travel plans at the last minute is one of the most expensive ways to travel. Airline... Read More |
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How to Assemble a Holiday Cheeseboard Guaranteed to Impress
'Tis the season for getting together with friends and family to celebrate. Food is at the heart of the holidays, so whether you're hosting an event or attending as a guest, you'll want to whip up something to impress a wide variety of taste buds. The perfect solution: a holiday cheeseboard.
Creating a cheeseboard like the ones you see in food magazines might seem... Read More
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Ready to List Your Home for Sale? Start with the Right Price
If your home is underpriced, it will sell quickly, but that's not something to brag about if you leave money on the table. If your home is priced too high, it will sit on the market for too long and buyers will lose interest. So what's the right price for your home? The key to correct pricing is through a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).
First, a professional real estate agent will gather information about your home. Then, they'll select comparable recently sold properties (comps) for comparison. The major concerns when... Read More
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DIY Architectural Details on the Cheap
Architectural details in particular give a level of sophistication and perfection that you can't replicate with a simple fix like paint. But there's a catch: they're (usually) expensive. Here's some fun DIY projects to add architectural elements to your home without spending too much:
Wow-Worthy Wainscoting
This detail is gorgeous in a home. Typical wainscoting consists of white-painted boards with contrasting square or rectangular patterns. The boards run roughly halfway up the wall between the baseboard and horizontal trim and serve as a chair rail along the entire wall. It's beautiful but the traditional version is pricey, especially if you... Read More |
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