For buyers, a home inspection offers assurances that no major defect will cost them money in the near future. For sellers, a home inspection can be stressful, potentially uncovering a problem they didn't know they had. Both buyers and sellers might ask themselves: "What does a home inspector look for." Here are the main points on any home inspector's checklist. | Read More →

If you're a rental property owner with a nice place in a desirable area, it's not all that difficult to attract quality tenants. With solid systems for marketing the place and screening tenants, most landlords or property managers can do it. Keeping quality tenants around, however, is sometimes a different story. If you're a rental property owner, here's how to retain good tenants. | Read More →

A home purchase is a large investment, so not everyone can afford to pay cash. Still, a little less than a third of all home sales in the United States are all-cash deals. But just because you can afford to pay cash for a home, should you? If you're buying a home, here are five important things to know about paying cash. | Read More →

Coming up with the money for a down payment has historically been a stumbling block for many potential homebuyers. When home prices are rising rapidly, down payment amounts do, too. If you don't have the cash savings to put down what you want on a home but do have a retirement account, you might be wondering about accessing it. Can you use your 401(k) to buy a home? | Read More →

One of the first things you might do when you're about to sell your home is picking a real estate agent to represent you. Almost half of all home sellers work with a listing agent who's a referral, but even a recommendation from someone you trust must prove that they're right for you and your home. If you think of it as a job interview, here are three questions to ask a prospective real estate agent. | Read More →

One benefit of homeownership is the ability to improve your property. By doing certain renovations or remodeling, a homeowner can add value to their home. But keep in mind that as you add value to your home, you might also be changing your homeowner's insurance needs. Here are four home improvement projects that can raise your insurance costs. | Read More →