In real estate, the asking price is often as much about psychology as it is about reality. For example, take the strategy of pricing your home below market value... "I priced my home $9,000 under the market," says Rebecca Ricci. "It was a gamble, but my home was unique. People either love it or hate it. Also, the market was flat. Houses were starting to set on the market a little longer." The lower...
“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Refinancing your mortgage is something most homeowners consider at least once throughout the lifespan of their home loan. It allows you to pay...
Photo by Daniel Joseph Petty on Pexels.com In April, Canada's finance minister announced a two-year ban on foreign home buying, as well as higher taxes for people who sell their homes within a year (with qualifying exceptions). Also in April, the island of Oahu in Hawaii passed a law nearly eliminating short-term rentals, now requiring minimum stays of 90 days in all but a few situations. Many...
A few years ago, I watched a reality TV show about a home inspector who went to homes that had already been inspected. He always found all sorts of problems that the original inspector had missed. I was struck by one important thing about that show: The TV version of an inspector was poking holes in walls to look at the wiring, ripping out siding to look for mold underneath, digging up the yard to peek...
An ever-increasing number of homeowners are taking advantage of their extra equity by getting a home equity loan or a line of credit. But accessing your extra home equity should be done carefully, and only in a narrow set of circumstances. In 2006, just before the last real estate bubble popped, homeowners were treating their homes like endless piggy banks. They used their equity to purchase nice...
December means the holiday bustle is upon us; there are flights to catch, gifts to purchase, houses to decorate, and taxes to think about. Not the most cheerful of messages to hear during this time, but for property owners or the self-employed, tax season can be as stressful if not more stressful than the holiday season. To get a head start on taxes next year, here are a few things to consider. The...
In a research study conducted in the early 2000s, a Canadian professor found that homes where the seller was “motivated” took 15 percent longer to sell, while houses listed as “handyman specials” flew off the market in half the time. “It surprised even me,” said researcher Paul Anglin, who teaches real-estate and housing trends at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Other...
"I have a ton of equity in my home. I'm thinking about selling and putting that money in the bank before the market goes down again. Should I?"
Are you ready to make that leap from living at home or renting to owning a home of your own?
Your home may be one of your largest assets, and you certainly want to take steps to get the highest price possible for it when you list it on the market to sell. In addition, you may have plans to purchase a new home or to take other similar steps when listing your home, so you may need your house to sell quickly. Staging your home is a great way to present it in the best possible light for potential...
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