Other types of insurance coverage focus on possible future events and charge an annual premium — such as flood insurance or hazard insurance that safeguard against loss from fire, theft, or wind damage. Title insurance protects against loss from hazards and defects already existing in the title and is purchased with a one-time premium. A Separate […]
Living in an apartment or rental home does have its perks: You can test out different neighborhoods and locations, you have the flexibility to move, and you have access to great amenities like a gym or pool. But there’s a reason that owning a home, rather than renting one, is a highly desired achievement. Maybe […]
When purchasing a home in North Carolina, you will need to write two upfront deposits with the Offer to Purchase and Contract. The two upfront checks are called the “due diligence fee” and “earnest money.” It is important to know that the due diligence fee is non-refundable, and if you are not careful, you could […]
Your home is likely the largest financial investment you have, so it makes sense to carefully choose the right agent to represent you when you sell it. The best real estate agent will walk you through the whole process, showcase your home in the best light, give you feedback from showings and open houses, and […]
You’re armed with your pre-approval letter, your wants and needs list, and your knowledge of the real estate market. Now comes the fun part: searching for homes! Like any part of buying a home, the home search has its ups and downs. But once you’re living in your new home, spending weekends shopping for furniture […]
The winter holidays and New Year’s have come and gone, and so have all the decorations. With no twinkling lights or festive ornaments brightening up its main living areas, your home can start to look a little bare. Not to worry! Here are a few winter home decorating ideas that can cheer you up and […]
If you’re like many homeowners in the Greater Raleigh area, you are determined to organize your home in 2017 (since you weren’t able to get around to it last year). The secret to keeping any New Year’s resolution is making sure your goal is “smart” — specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time-based. That’s why it’s almost impossible to tackle a […]
Want to visit the gym more? Finally complete the home improvement project you’ve been working on? Save money for that new watch/car/house/vacation? January 1 is the perfect time to jumpstart your goals. If you’re like most people, according to Money Magazine, you probably have “stay fit,” “spend less,” or “enjoy the most out of life” […]
Here in North Carolina, we have 4 beautiful seasons and some people mistakenly associate them with 4 distinct home buying seasons as well. They assume spring is the best time to sell and nobody buys during the winter, but that is simply not true. When I hear people talking about this I am often reminded […]
It’s that time of year: Many homeowners are looking to the New Year and planning their 2017 real estate resolutions (sell the house, move to the suburbs, buy that dream vacation home, etc.). If you’re planning your own New Year’s real estate resolutions, you might be researching 2017 housing market predictions to figure out when […]