A couple living in suburban Baltimore have thought a lot about what they might do when both are no longer working every day. The husband has been a man-of-leisure for some 8 years now, having retired from the Baltimore City Schools after more than 30 years of teaching high school there. A handful of years younger, the wife is gearing up for her retirement as an administrator at a large national company in just a year or so.
Both have a list of activities they’d like to enjoy together once the constraints of work no longer have a hold on either of them. Traveling to NYC, a favorite pastime is on the top of the list, and visiting their grown kids in other parts of the country is major, too. So, it made sense for them to give up that large house in
Buyers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are simply lovely and are the ideal clients. Agents love working with them and vice versa, and – as such – the entire home-buying process proceeds smoothly, from that first venture out to view potential homes all the way to the settlement table.
Then there is the buyer who is totally unfamiliar with buyer etiquette. They are the individual, couple, or family who simply doesn’t follow the rules. They call listing agents on houses they like (even if they’re working with their own agent), they fail to show up for appointments, and they don’t know how to behave during showings.
Suppose you’re new to the home-buying process, and you cringe to think that you might be lumped into that “difficult buyer”
The importance of “green” construction and environmentally-safe homes has, in many cases, moved to the forefront of the minds of those seeking to buy a new or previously owned house. Buyers have become more and more astute about the hazards that may be lurking inside the homes they are considering for purchase.
While some dangers are more than obvious – like peeling lead-based paint or mold and mildew – others are not quite as apparent…such as asbestos.
Asbestos has been in the news a lot lately. Former President Obama signed a bill that would have perhaps eventually led to a ban on the material, but President Trump doesn’t think asbestos is a danger. No laws are currently pending demanding a total ban on new and existing uses, so products
In many areas of the country, work on new construction continues or has restarted, and many buyers are considering the purchase of a brand new home. And why not? Suppose new construction fits your needs and your budget. In that case, it's terrific to have a home where you can enjoy the opportunity to take a blank slate and make it your own, choosing options such as wall colors, carpets, cabinets, and – in some cases – overall design.
Buying a brand new home is exciting, but it's important to remember that the agent you encounter at a new development sales site works for the SELLER, not the buyer. That agent will have the seller's best interest in mind and will do his/her best to get the seller's highest price.
Each year, millions of American households move. Some go to a new house around the corner, and some go to a neighboring town or city, others move to a state next door. Still, others take the big plunge and move far away from their current location.
According to statistics, almost 50% of out-of-state moves are done to take a higher-paying job or one that better suits the person’s needs and wants. Others move for retirement or to be near family, while some choose to move simply to reduce their cost of living.
In many cases, these about-to-be-transplanted individuals, couples, or families will be purchasing real estate in their new locale. Unfortunately, some of them will have little time to make a decision and to see the properties they wish to
Before the coronavirus hit the United States, about 5 percent of the workforce worked from home each day on a permanent basis. Some 46 percent noted that they worked from home part of the time but had to be physically in their office for meetings and other obligations at least for a portion of the week.
Now that Covid-19 has changed the way Americans work, more than half of the country reports that they are working from home, notes a study by The Brookings Institute.
Furthermore, more and more companies are discovering that it really is okay if their employees work from the comfort of their own abode. Most aren’t goofing off, as some higher-ups suspected they would, and – in general – things are happening as they should.
Buying a home is a scary proposition. Indeed, it is! Unless you’re buying a brand new home or having it built to your specifications, you’re never sure what you’re getting and – of course – what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. There are plenty of problems that aren’t necessarily visible to the eye, so you either take a leap of faith and hope for the best, or you schedule a home inspection.
If you’re working with a realtor, perhaps you’ve already discussed the pros (and maybe the cons) of purchasing a home inspection. Generally, realtors agree that in many cases, such inspections are a wise idea and, in some cases, an absolute must.
Below we’ve provided our readers with some important facts about the process to help you decide what’s best
If you’ve been looking forward to spring house-hunting season all year, you’re probably gravely disappointed right now, especially if you’ve got all your proverbial ducks in a row, like a pre-approved mortgage and a substantial downpayment that you’ve been saving for years.
So here you sit. Quarantined by the coronavirus outbreak and uncertain how the rest of this year is going to play out, you figure that your big home buy of 2020 is not going to happen. It’s sad, but that’s the reality of things these days, right?
Well, not necessarily! Real estate experts say that now could potentially be the time to buy if you’re careful and have a confident agent guiding you along the way.
So you’re getting ready to move. It’s an exciting time, especially if you’ve purchased a new home and can’t wait to start your new life in your new space.
But the whole moving part isn’t very exciting…and it can become quite a stressful chore when you’re not organized.
We’ve all been there. Who hasn’t had a friend who’s asked you to help him/her move, and when you arrive at their house or apartment, they have nothing packed and are frantically searching for boxes, bags, and more helping hands to assist in getting the move accomplished? It’s frustrating for everyone involved!
But you don’t have to be that person – or that family – if you create a good moving-related checklist and stick to it until the big day arrives. So, we’ve provided some
You’ve taken the plunge! You’ve purchased your first home, a bigger home, or maybe the home of your dreams. Perhaps you’ve given some thought to decorating, upgrading systems, and making your home the perfect oasis for you and your family.
As many of us now frequently consider the environment when making important decisions that could indeed affect “Mother Earth,” the time in your life when you’ve purchased a new property might be the time to start thinking about living “green”. There are a number of small – and large – things you can do to be kinder to the environment and to keep your family healthy, and right after you purchase a home – when you’re adding your own touches and so forth – is a good time to institute some of those green things.
