As you likely know, the housing market has been struggling with inventory for years. Years of low production from home builders certainly play a part in this shortage, but an increase in construction isn’t the fastest way to solve the issue. Existing homeowners —many of whom are currently hesitant to sell — factor in, too. Here’s what is keeping homeowners in place (and how it impacts housing...

Making a solid offer is the first step toward buying your dream home, but remember: Sellers have goals in this process, too. Your first offer may not be accepted as is. In many cases, a seller will respond with a counteroffer — a new version of your offer with changes to the price, contingencies, timeline or other details. As a buyer, you’re free to accept their offer, reject it or come back with a...

Moving to a new home is never really easy, but it can be particularly challenging when you’re doing a long-distance move. Over 8 million people moved out of state in 2022 alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — and that means you can do it, too. Are you considering moving to a new state (or even region) this year? Here are some ways to make the process easier. Declutter and donate unused...

Paying off your mortgage early could save you money on interest paid over the life of the loan. It can also free up money to put toward other goals, like saving for retirement. Despite these perks, though, prepaying a mortgage isn’t right for everyone, and there may be some downsides to this strategy. Are you thinking of paying off your mortgage early? Check out some pros and cons to consider before...

As the saying goes: “Everything old is new again.” This is particularly true when it comes to style trends, including home design. The looks of the past can provide endless inspiration for homes today, and you don’t have to choose just one era or approach. You can mix and match trends from multiple decades and interior design styles. Are you looking to give your home decor a refresh? Here are some...

When you moved into your home, you probably took lots of photos. It’s fun sharing pictures of a new space with people in your life and on social media. Once you’ve lived there for a while, though, you likely take photos less frequently (or stop taking them altogether). But it turns out that taking photos of your home on a more regular basis can have benefits. Here’s why you may want to start...

Every homeowner needs to make repairs (or renovate) at some point. Maybe a storm blew down part of your fence, or maybe you want to upgrade your kitchen countertops. No matter what home improvements you’re going to make, you’ll need the money to cover it. And, while credit cards or personal loans could be an option, they typically come with high interest rates that could lead to higher costs. Before...

Inheriting a property from a loved one can bring with it a lot of complicated emotions and decisions. Do you keep it in the family or sell it? If you choose the latter, there are a number of factors to consider before moving forward. If the property is in probate, there will be a legal proceeding to determine how assets of the estate are handled — and that could take a while. If not, you may be able to...

When it comes to home repairs and renovations, doing it yourself can be tempting. After all, it could save you money and you won’t have to vet contractors or deal with strangers in your house. Plus, showing off a project you completed can give you bragging rights. It’s not always the right move, though. It can be dangerous, and it also could lead to needing further repairs if done incorrectly,...

Buying a house can be a complex and lengthy process. Sometimes, a hiccup in one part of the chain can delay the entire purchase. And while you can only control so much, there are some steps you can take to help prevent this from happening on your homebuying journey. If you’re preparing to buy a house soon, here are three things you can do to try to keep your home purchase on track. Talk to a lender...