Real Estate News

The Contractor Checklist

If you've got a home project on the horizon, keep these tips in mind when hiring help

By Kit Davey

The real estate market is showing signs of life, but you still may not be comfortable jumping back in to buy or sell a home. Perhaps changing the look of your space without changing your address is more up your alley. If you're looking into... Full story

Make Room

Too many guests, not enough chairs or beds? Here's how to get creative and rearrange for the holidays

By Barbara Ballinger

Having guests can be wonderful. Then again, not having enough chairs or room at the dining room table or enough beds to put up overnight guests can prove extremely stressful and dampen the holiday spirit. The good news is that there are fast,... Full story

Subprime Problem?

Ask Our Broker

By Peter G. Miller

Q: It used to be that the mortgage crisis was described as a "subprime" problem, but now people with prime loans are beginning to see a lot of foreclosures. Was there something wrong with the prime mortgages made several years ago? A: If by "prime"... Full story

Recycled Revolution

Reclaimed, repurposed, reused and recycled materials and design choices are making today's homes more stylish, eco-friendly places to live

By Barbara Ballinger

One of the easiest and best ways for homeowners to go green is to tap into the growing array of furnishings, systems and home-related products that incorporate recycled materials rather than see them end up in a landfill. Options range from tiles... Full story

Toxic Loan Rx

Adjustable-rate mortgages continue to reset. Here's what financially struggling homeowners can do to avoid foreclosure

By Charles Scutt

In 2010, the most taboo "f" word in the American vernacular will have more than four letters. Indeed, "foreclosure" will be on the minds and lips of millions more homeowners than ever before - due to the fact that many toxic loans are scheduled to... Full story

What's the Score?

Ask Our Broker

By Peter G. Miller


Q: I want to finance a home with an FHA loan. I understand that the FHA does not require a particular credit score, but my lender says I need a score of at least 620. How can a lender require that if the FHA does not? A: The FHA is not actually a... Full story

The Highs and Lows of Pricing

To sell - and survive - in this market, you need to set your price right, right from the start

By Marilyn Kennedy Melia

Whether they're hoping for a specific moving date, or permission to take the hall chandelier, home sellers usually have a long list of wishes. But they'll usually walk away happy if just one desire is granted: they get a good price. With money so... Full story

How to Remake a Bedroom

After the family moved out, creating a charming space from odds and Ends was key to selling the home

By Kit Davey

A Realtor with whom I have worked for many years asked me to meet with the owners of a cute, Arts and Crafts period home. They wanted to maximize their sale price so they could invest in a larger home in another state, and they knew they'd need to... Full story

Should This Land Be My Land?

Ask Our Broker

By Peter G. Miller


Q: Real estate values in my town have fallen around 15 percent in the past couple of years, although in the past few months the market is starting to pick up a little. In the same period the value of vacant land in a new subdivision has gone down by... Full story

Too Great Expectations

Tip for selling in this buyer's market

By David Silva

They're a staple of late-night television and the bane of serious real estate agents: infomercials promising quick and easy fortunes by buying up distressed properties. "Millions can be had for just pennies on the dollar!" they proclaim. Well, not... Full story