Should termite damage be a deal-breaker?
In the most severe cases of untreated termite infestation, a colony can cause irreparable damage to a home. In most instances, however, the damage can be fixed and steps can also be taken to eradicate the termites and keep them from returning.
Creating a garden plan in the winter
Winter is traditionally a time to take a break from gardening duties. You won't be able to start planting until the danger of frost passes, and you don't want to start the process of growing seeds indoors too early.
Bidding wars become less common in 2018
The frequency of bidding wars among buyers plunged in 2018, according to the real estate brokerage Redfin.
Equity-rich homes hit new high in Q4 2018
An increasing number of homeowners have a hefty amount of wealth locked up in their property's equity, according to the real estate data company ATTOM Data Solutions.
Expensive markets spur more married people to have roommates
Married couples have been more likely to live with roommates in recent years, according to the real estate site Trulia. However, only a small fraction of couples had this type of living arrangement and it was more likely to apply to renters than...
Gap between appraisals and perceptions widens in January
Homeowners were less likely to make an accurate estimate of their property's appraised value at the start of 2019, according to the retail mortgage lender Quicken Loans. While the average appraisal remained within half a percentage point of a...
Fannie Mae survey suggests expectations for improved affordability
Americans started 2019 with slightly higher expectations for a more affordable housing market, Fannie Mae concluded after reviewing the findings of its monthly National Housing Survey in January.
Planning to leave your home to your heirs
Leaving real estate to your heirs can also be a complicated process, so you'll want to make sure you plan accordingly.
Sales above asking price decelerate in 2018
The share of homes sold above asking price in the United States hit a two-year low in December, according to the real estate site Zillow. Although this share fell each month during the second half of 2018, sales above asking price were slightly more...
NAHB: Fewer people say they intend to buy in the next 12 months
Few potential homeowners polled at the end of 2018 said they plan to buy a home in the next 12 months, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Respondents were more likely to cite inventory challenges, and the majority said they were...
Homeowner interest in healthy home trends increases
Homeowners have become increasingly interested in healthy home trends, according to a recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. The report also determined that while remodelers are aware of this trend, they are...
Real estate lingo and acronyms
Real estate ads are usually full of acronyms and terms that are unfamiliar to first-time buyers. Here's a cheat sheet to let you in on the lingo.
The pros and cons of a central vacuum system
A central vacuum system can make it a little easier to clean up your floors. However, it also has a few disadvantages of its own.
Maintaining steam radiators to avoid banging and whistling
The heat might be inefficient or uneven if the system isn't working properly. Radiators can also spring leaks or produce loud hissing or banging noises.
Homesource
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