Neighborhoods, like people, have unique sets of personalities and characteristics. Whether you’re planning to buy a home or considering renting for the meantime, it’s important to figure out if the neighborhood you’re considering fits your lifestyle before you make your move.

While there’s certainly a huge debate on renting vs buying a home, no one could argue that it’s a major decision for many people. Some say renting is like throwing money down the drain and you’re just paying off someone else’s mortgage. Others insist that there’s no way they could give up their flexibility and be tied up in one place.

Rural properties are usually associated with the great outdoors, an escape from metropolitan areas where everything is loud and fast-paced. But even if this is the most popular reason why people see rural homes as a perfect investment for retirement, some buyers get attracted to them without doing extensive research on these properties.

It may seem like a nearly impossible task to get a mortgage after retirement, but there are ways you can do it even if you are not employed. If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, here are 5 common questions you might ask that we’ve answered for you:

Moving is complicated and stressful. There’s more to it than buying several boxes, packing your stuff and relocating to your new home because, in reality, there are a lot of things that could go wrong. Here are some of the most common moving mistakes, and tips on how to avoid them through proper planning and allocating enough time towards the process.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), home buyers and sellers with children face a unique set of difficulties and stressors during the moving process. If you are a parent anticipating a move, it’s likely you have a ton of things on your mind. Maybe you need to sell your old house, contact the movers, pack your belongings, and prepare all the things needed in your new home. Then add the kids to the situation and you’re probably facing a whole different level of chaos and anxiety.

Buying a home is a ‘purchase of a lifetime.’ It’s a major financial step that requires a lot of planning and preparation. If 2021 is the year you’ll put an end to your rental days and find your dream home, here are things you can realistically start doing now to finally become a homeowner within next year.

How great does a mortgage payoff sound? After making your final payment, there’s nothing sweeter than seeing in your account that you are already “PAID IN FULL” after a substantial period of 15 or 30 years. Congratulations! Paying off your mortgage is a huge and remarkable milestone—you now own your home free and clear. However, there are still a few things you need to do to ensure that you have a clear ownership of your property. Here are some of those extra steps:

The VA Loan is a powerful mortgage option that has helped more than 22 million veterans, active duty military members and their families, purchase homes and achieve their American dream of homeownership. The program was created in 1944 and is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

What drives up my home insurance costs? Why is my insurance premiums so high? If you’re a new homeowner, this must be one of the many questions that have crossed your mind since you embarked on this new journey. Well, the location, construction, condition, and certain features of your home all play a significant part in how much your homeowner’s insurance costs will be. For buyers who are still house-hunting for their dream home, you need to be aware that some of the factors that will attract you to a particular home are also the ones that will make your premiums more expensive.

As a renter, there’s nothing more valuable than maintaining a good relationship with your landlord or property manager. One way you can keep a positive connection is by being honest and upfront right from the start. However, one surefire way to form a negative relationship is to lie or hide things from them. And because you will usually be found out anyway, you’ll have to deal with the consequences of your actions sooner or later. This could make your life more stressful in the long run.

The spring real estate market is already here. Despite the strong competition, it’s a great time for home buyers to score their dream home because of high market inventory. And soon, there will be fresh batches of buyers who have just finished closing and will soon be moving.

According to the National Association of Realtor’s Schools and Home Buying Decision article, proximity to good quality schools is one of the most influential factors in a buyer’s decision when purchasing a home. It is a major factor especially for buyers with families or young couples who are planning to have children. Homes that are located near top-quality school districts usually translate into higher property values and generally have a huge resale potential. In the NAR 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 25% of home buyers listed school quality and 20% listed proximity to schools as the deciding factors in their home purchase. Many home buyers are even willing to forgo certain home amenities just to have access to quality schools.

Selling your luxury home means selling one of your most important investments. The task may be more difficult and daunting than selling a mid-priced home, especially since luxury home buyers have a specific taste for high-end homes that will greatly suit their lifestyle. That’s why it is important to take the proper steps to ensure your luxury home is sold in a timely fashion and at its best market value.

For active-duty military members and their families, purchasing a family home is a complex and weighty decision.

Following their Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move, the decision to buy a piece of the American dream they fought to protect could be affected by numerous financial and personal factors. Here are some things military members and their families should consider before deciding to buy their next home:

Planning to buy your first luxury home? Best be prepared by following these seven expert tips!

While owning a home remains the American Dream, “aging in place” or staying in one’s own home as you age is also considered part of it. However, staying at your bigger home isn’t always the best option. And as you get older, downsizing or settling into a smaller home could also be one definition of “living the dream” and aging in place.