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Home inspections help you sell |
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 (ARA) - When you're ready to sell your home in the current market, you need to take every step you can to ensure a timely sale at the price you want. A surplus of homes for sale means that yours needs to stand out in style, amenities and quality to make an impression on potential buyers. The more steps you take to make your house sale-ready, the better results you'll get.
Currently, home sales are at a historic low -- so what do you need to do to buck that trend? Updated decor and proper staging certainly help present your home well, but don't think that cosmetic fixes are all you need. Buyers want to know the home they're considering is safe and sound, and the best way to establish that is to hire a home inspector.
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Buying a home: know the difference between mortgage life insurance and individual life insurance |
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 (ARA) - For many new homeowners, it can be very confusing to decide whether you should buy an individual insurance policy from a reputable life insurance company to protect your new home from the unexpected, or if you should purchase a mortgage insurance policy through your lender.
Before you make this important decision, you need to understand the restrictions of mortgage life insurance policies as well as the benefits of an individual life insurance policy such as term life insurance, so that you can choose the option that is best for you and your family.
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10 senior housing development trends for the next 10 years |
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(ARA) - America finds itself amid the historic "age wave" - the largest ever demographic shift from a younger to older population. The next 10 years are pivotal in senior housing and services development. According to the Administration on Aging, from 2010 to 2030, the U.S. population aged 65 and over is expected to grow by 75 percent to over 69 million. Many in this large cohort will live longer, have more education, be more affluent and have greater expectations than any previous senior generation.
Many entrepreneurs, developers and investors salivate at the product needs of an aging population. And one area that draws immediate interest is senior housing. But those who think changing demographics mean "if you build it, they will come," are potentially setting themselves up for failure.
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Selling your home? Easy improvements to attract buyers |
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 (ARA) - Real estate pros often coach their clients on the value of making "curb appeal" improvements to help sell their homes. Outside painting and minor repairs signal that the house has been well cared for.
That's a great marketing tactic, but an even better advantage is offering multiple bathrooms. So if you're planning to put your house on the market and want to make it stand out, consider going a step further and adding a new bathroom.
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A retirement home that helps pay for itself |
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 (ARA) - With today's record low real estate prices and attractive mortgage rates, now may be a good time to think about investing in a second home that ultimately can be used as your permanent residence upon retirement. By taking a "buy-and-rent" approach before you're ready to retire, your new home will actually have partly paid for itself by the time you're ready to move into it.
"Buying and renting out a second home as a vacation rental property until you're ready to move in upon retirement can significantly help offset the cost of ownership," says Brian Sharples, CEO of HomeAway, the world's leading online vacation rental marketplace. "The income stream, in addition to tax write-offs for maintenance and repairs, make this an attractive strategy for many people nearing retirement."
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Protect your home from damage with basement waterproofing |
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 (ARA) - A damp, leaky basement can be a homeowner's worst nightmare. Active water leaks and excessive moisture in basement or foundation walls can rob a home of extra storage or living space. And, if left unchecked, more serious problems can result, including costly structural damage and high humidity levels throughout the home. That's why it is important to take care of water problems before they start.
Fortunately, there are state-of-the-art technologies that make basement waterproofing easier than ever before - even for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers. New waterproofing paints are low odor and are easy to apply, eliminating the expense associated with hiring a contractor.
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Top 5 improvements for spring home sellers |
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 (ARA) - To get your home sold at a good price in a buyer's market, you need to know what to invest in - and what not to invest in.
Which of these features is more appealing to home buyers: custom cabinetry in the kitchen or a home security sign by the front door? The answer may surprise you.
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Understanding your credit opens the door to home-buying success |
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 (ARA) - With many signs pointing to the beginnings of a recovery in the housing market, potential home buyers can still find plenty of selection, low prices and low interest rates. If you're thinking of buying a home, now might be the right time, but before you contact a real estate agent or apply for a mortgage, your top priority should be checking your credit report to see if your credit is in good shape.
Credit - specifically misuse and misunderstanding of credit - spurred the housing crisis, many experts agree. The consequences have included tighter standards from lenders and the need for borrowers to better understand how to use credit wisely.
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Roofs now can take on an artistic look |
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 (ARA) - Some things get better with age - wine, cheese, cars.
Building supplies don't usually fall into that category. So, if your house is looking a little shabby, try giving it a facelift by updating one of the largest exterior surfaces - your roof.
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