Changes Come To The Luxury Home Market

The high end of the real estate market has followed a different path since the financial crisis and housing crash. But while the luxury home market was able to avoid some of the ups-and-downs the rest of the market has endured, things are beginning to change. In fact, one recent analysis shows the number of homes for sale priced at or above $1 million dollars fell significantly during the first quarter of this year, as compared to the year before. And, if inventory continues to drop, the luxury home market could see some of the spiking prices and competition for available homes that buyers have found in more affordable price ranges. However, those this may be true, the effects have, so far, been far more muted than in the overall market. For example, the…

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Best Tax Deductible Home Improvements for Homeowners

Before delving into tax-deductible home improvements, it's important to understand that these tax deductions won't be applied immediately. In most cases, homeowners can only benefit, tax-wise, from their home renovations later, when they sell their home. It's important for homeowners to keep receipts for their improvements, though so they have proof of the improvements they made, even if it's years later when they sell their residence.

Typical Renovations/ Home Improvements That Can Yield Eventual Tax Benefits

A home improvement is any project that substantially adds value to a home. It can include adapting it to be more useful or be improvements that allow it to be used differently. The following are some general home improvements that can yield…

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How Do You Tell If A Neighborhood Is The Right One To Settle In?

Choosing a perfect home to settle in is tough on its own. You have to weigh in on very many factors including a house’s price, size, features and amenities, number of bedroom and baths, design, and so on. However, all these factors are not enough to give you a great home ownership experience if you fall into the wrong neighborhood.

Picking the right neighborhood not only guarantees you happiness and comfort, but also helps with home appreciation for the sake of future re-sale. In most cases though, it can be tougher to find the perfect neighborhood than the right house.

Here are some factors that can help you find the right neighborhood:

Schools

If you have kids and definitely care about the quality of their education, consider a neighborhood…

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Steps To Take To Prepare Your Home For Sale

Once you have decided that you want to put your home up for sale, you should start taking the steps to get it ready to go on the market. While some homes may be almost ready for pictures and a showing, there are others that may need a lot of work. Because of this, it is always a good idea to evaluate the condition of your home as soon as you know you will be selling. Use these steps to not only determine what you need to do but also get started on your home preparation. 

•         Have a home inspection done. You can definitely take a look around your home to see if any work needs to be done on the cosmetic side but you should consider relying on a professional to tell you if there are any underlying problems that you will need to fix before selling.…

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What You Should Know About Condo Mortgages

The Specialized World of Condo Mortgages

Today's prospective home buyers have some compelling reasons to shop for condominiums instead of houses. Condos may come with less square footage, which makes them easier to clean and maintain -- not to mention more affordable. Bankrate points out that condos' proximity to major city amenities can also prove attractive to professionals who wish to live "close to everything."

Unfortunately, a condo mortgage may come with its own special set of complexities. Here are some basic considerations to keep in mind when considering a condo purchase.

Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval

One similarity between condo mortgages and home mortgages is the need for shoppers to get pre-qualified and pre-approved. Condo…

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Looking to Buy a Home in 2018 and Don't Know Where to Start? Here's a Few Tips

Are you a renter that has become tired of paying someone else's mortgage and not building any equity? Or a homeowner who has a growing family and is in need of more space? Whatever the case, if you are in the market for a new home there is no time like the present. Let's explore a few tips that will help you to prepare for the home buying experience.

 Tip #1: Prepare For A Busy Spring Season

First, it should be pretty obvious that you aren't the only house hunter on the market. Other local individuals and families alike will be searching for a new house to call their own. As you may know, the spring is generally when the local real estate market starts to heat up. So, if you are looking to buy, you may want to address your needs earlier in the…

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Pamper Your Pet With These Five Awesome Pet-friendly Home Upgrades

The best addition to many a family is the beloved pet, but beyond the regular treats and pillows, there are plenty of ways to spoil your pet and let them know how much you love them. If you're looking for some neat concepts for your favorite pooch, here are some unique ideas you may want to try out.

A Relaxing, Personal Place

Many animals will gravitate towards your new couch, but by giving them their own special spot, you can make them happy and keep your living room looking great at the same time. Instead of a second-hand pillow, buy them their very own bed for their very own corner of the house so they can feel right at home.

Make It Organized

It's quite likely that your pet will not be cleaning up after themselves, but by creating a…

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3 Bedroom Staging Tips That Will Get Potential Buyers Excited About Your Home

Arranging an open house is one of the most important parts of selling your home, but there can be a lot of tricks involved in staging it so you'll get the right offers. While the kitchen and the living room may be a bit more straightforward, here are some tips for staging your bedroom that will be sure to get buyers interested in making an offer on your home.

 Brighten The Bedding

It's one thing to have makeshift bedding when you only have your family to impress, but when it comes to having an open house, you'll need to be prepared to make a statement. Instead of a mish-mash of colors and styles, ensure that you have one style and one look you're going for, and ensure that it's not cluttered with too many pillows and colors. You'll also want to make…

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Steps to Buy a House: How Long Do They Take?

Homes aren’t impulse purchases. It takes time to sift through listings and make your way from one home showing to the next; then, of course, there are those agonizing hours you wait to find out if your offer on a house was accepted, whether you can secure financing, and any number of other holdups.

Just so you’re prepared to play the waiting game, here are the steps to buy a house and how long they typically take, so you aren’t sitting there holding your breath and wondering if something’s up.

How long does it take to find a real estate agent?

Answer: A couple of days to a few weeks

Your real estate agent should be your most trusted consultant during the home-buying process. Don’t skimp on the search—even if you’re in a rush.

“The…

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5 Vows to Make Now to Sell Your Home in 2017

People vow to do all kinds of things—hit the gym, get more sleep, quit Froot Loops—and if you plan to sell your home this year, making a few promises matter here most of all. After all, selling your home for top dollar takes work and the right mindset to strike a deal.

To help make that happen, we put together a list of good habits all home sellers should start now so that you’re fully prepared once opportunity knocks.

Vow No. 1: Get realistic about how much your home is worth

It’s natural to think your home is priceless, or hope it’s worth at least more than when you bought it. As such, many sellers make the epic mistake of placing a pie-in-the-sky price on their home with the hopes that some buyer somewhere will bite. But the reality…

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