Refinancing a mortgage is a big financial decision, and it largely depends on the reason you are refinancing and the amount of time from purchasing the home or your last refinance. Some types of home loans will let you refinance almost immediately, while others may require a period of time to elapse before refinancing. However, […]
There was a point, not too long ago, when buying a house was fairly straightforward: You’d schedule some tours, make an offer, and boom, you’re in the house before you know it. Today, though, the housing market is a very different animal—fast, ferocious, and ever-changing. In such an environment, it’s no longer a given that […]
An iced cottage topped with gumdrops and peppermint candies is likely your first thought when you hear someone mention a gingerbread house. But a gingerbread-style home is also a beautiful architectural style with deep historic roots. You’ll know a gingerbread house when you spy one, notes Beverly Solomon of the eponymous design firm. “They’re the epitome of […]
You finally found a house that checks all the boxes—well, almost. There’s just one thing that’s bothering you, but you’re not sure how big of a deal it is. Welcome to our take on the internet’s favorite trend: It’s a 10, But. In this column, we’ll explore common issues and ask the experts to weigh […]
Is your kitchen begging for some updates or a full-on makeover? Then you’ll want to be up on the latest design trends and keep the environment in mind, too. A new survey of 3,600 homeowners by Houzz has found that an overwhelming majority of people planning a kitchen renovation this year (92%) are looking to include eco-friendly features. Some […]
Window treatments—a catchall term for shades, blinds, shutters, and more—are one of the most impactful ways to make your new home feel cozier and more lived in. But once you start to explore your options (there are a lot) it can be easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why we asked experts to share the most important […]
Spring is the quintessential time for cleaning and sprucing up your space. For many homeowners, that ritual includes refreshing tired walls with new paint. But choosing a paint color you won’t regret can be tricky. You might be torn between two (or five!) shades. Or maybe you’re just looking for something a bit out of the norm. The following […]
Many first-time homebuyers might presume they’re better off going used rather than new—in other words, purchasing a pre-existing property rather than pricey new construction. While it’s true that brand-new homes often come with a heftier price tag upfront, these properties can actually end up being a good—even great—deal for first-time buyers. “It is true that new-construction homes, on […]
Finding a new place to plant roots isn’t solely about the price tag. Your real estate search is likely to include a range of options: condo vs. townhouse, condo vs. house, house vs. townhouse and more. As you stack different types of properties against each other, it’s important to think about not only what you […]
Before you start your house-hunting journey, you’ll need to know your budget. The most accurate way to do that is by getting pre-approved for a mortgage. How long does it take to get a mortgage pre-approval? To answer that, you’ll need to learn a bit more about the pre-approval process and what to expect when […]