Real Estate and Buying Tips from Our Local Experts

One of the more tangible side effects of the coronavirus pandemic is that, with all the time we’ve clocked at home, many of us are itching to renovate our space—whether that’s with a kitchen remodel, new home office, half-bath, or even more ambitious projects. And as COVID-19 begins easing up...

The news seems to be filled these days with tearful tales of folks who bought homes for well over the asking price—some sight unseen—during the coronavirus pandemic. They lament that they bought these properties at the height of the real estate market, often spending more than they planned, and didn’t...

Savvy home buyers know that winter is typically a good time to embark on a house hunt, since much of their competition stays holed up at home until spring. But this winter, buyers might notice that despite the cold and the holidays, they've got company. Lots of it, in fact....

Touring a house is like going on a first date: It's your chance to get a sense of whether this home is the one. Can you envision baking cookies in that kitchen, or cracking a beer on that back deck? But in this day and age, with so many houses to see...

About 3 million Americans are in mortgage forbearance plans as of October 2020, which allow them to temporarily stop making payments, according to data firm Black Knight. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to jolt the economy, more people will face financial difficulty, including how to pay their monthly mortgage bill. “The...

Few things are as exciting as purchasing a newly constructed home. Everything is pristine and, presumably, will last for a very long time. However, just because a house is new doesn’t mean it’s free of flaws. There are a lot of factors that could make a brand-new home a less...

In the midst of the pandemic, people are staying home more than ever—and, for many, all that time at home has made them realize that they’re not exactly thrilled with their dwellings. It’s OK to admit that not all of the pandemic has been terrible. We’ve gotten out of some...

If you imagined 2020 was the year you would finally list your house for sale, you may have hit the brakes on those plans when the coronavirus pandemic arrived. But now, we’re more than six months into the COVID-19 era with no clear end in sight. As many people continue...

The numbers: Construction of new houses rose 4.3% in May as a reopening U.S. economy and ultra-low mortgage rates drew more buyers and encouraged builders to start to speed up work. Housing starts climbed to an annual rate of 974,000 last month from a five-year low of 934,000 in April, the...

People who have been homeowners for a long time tend to forget how exciting and nerve-wracking it feels to buy a home for the first time. Once you’ve been through the process, you know what to expect and aren’t surprised by the second (or fifth) go-around. But for new homeowners,...

The housing market began to bounce back in May, but new data released today by realtor.com® shows that consumers are showing an increasing preference for suburban and rural areas as they return to the market. In May, online listing views on realtor.com® in suburban ZIP codes grew by 13 percent,...

Curb appeal: It's the make-or-break first impression of your home. It either beckons a second look or turns buyers off entirely. And now, in the age of the coronavirus, curb appeal is more vital than ever—since buyers might not be able to tour your home and are placing more weight...

If you were holding your breath, worried that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to drive down home prices, it looks like you can officially exhale. As we continue to move out of the height of the pandemic (and the accompanying restrictions), home prices are stronger than ever. According to data...

New active listings in California surged 18.6 percent the week ending May 1, the third weekly gain in a row and a sign that sellers are starting to feel more comfortable putting their houses on the market again. Moreover, while closed sales of single-family homes remain low, last week California...

If you’ve been thinking about shrinking your square footage and moving into a smaller home, you’re probably well-aware of the obvious advantages: There’s less to clean, heat, and cool, which means a savings of time and money. But that’s only the beginning. Downsizing offers several other, less-talked-about benefits that make...