Take a look around your neighborhood – do you see any litter on the sidewalks? What about in the grass? The majority of realtors believe that litter can reduce property values from 7% to 12%, and home buyers report that seeing significant trash would definitely factor into their decision to make an offer on a given property. Litter is not just unattractive, it can also present a physical danger (such as sharp edges on cans and broken glass) or can increase the danger of disease, serving as a reservoir for germs and biological hazards, not to mention the danger to wildlife.

Litter happens in every neighborhood, on every street, and in every business district, [...]

When home builders market a new development, their goal is to generate interest quickly and maintain their momentum until every lot is purchased. Most builders work with borrowed money, so they don’t want to take the chance that unsold homes will linger on their books. Every day that passes costs them interest on the loans. Builders begin marketing new developments with “pre-sale” and “invitation only” events as soon as a model is ready. Then they build excitement with a heavily advertised grand opening followed by sustained advertising and public relations. By selling as many homes as possible as quickly as possible, builders won’t have to build [...]

If you’re a homeowner, you know that there are many additional costs associated with your home other than the listing price. One of these costs, of course, being property taxes. Depending on where you reside, property taxes can be financially inconvenient and can even become a major burden. Wallethub reports that “the average American household spends $2,197 on property taxes for their homes each year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.”

So where does your state rank when it comes to property tax rates? Check out the states with the lowest and highest property taxes!

Property taxes are computed by taking the current market value of your [...]

Housing prices are increasing quickly in many areas of the country, and interest rates are on the rise. That might challenge your ability to afford a mortgage. You might consider extra sources of income. A roommate is one possibility, but another route is turning part of your house or apartment into a short-term rental through Airbnb.

Airbnb has 660,000 listings in the United States, and more than four million around the globe. People rent out rooms or private entrances in a home or apartment through Airbnb’s website. It functions much like an inn or bed and breakfast. The company takes a commission, but you keep a majority of the money. It’s a great way for people [...]

As a dog owner, you likely place your pup’s needs right up there with your own. If this is the case, then choosing a new home shouldn’t be an exception. In fact, several studies show that people are placing more and more importance on the happiness and safety of their dogs when it comes to home buying. An article by Time cites a study conducted by SunTrust Mortgage that found that one-third of millennials purchased homes strictly based on their pet ownership.

When purchasing a home with your dog in mind, there are a few factors to remember. In addition to finding a home with enough [...]

We’ve reimagined real estate search with the NEW Homes.com. You can find your perfect home, in the style you love, in the communities you desire, and at the price you need, all while sharing your home search journey with the people you care about most. Check out how Homes.com makes home search simpler than ever with these new features:

Your personalized homes search tool provides a smarter way to find your ideal first or next home. Just tell us which amenities are “must have” and which are “nice to have” and listings will be assigned a “Match” score based on those parameters. Easily see the homes that best match you by [...]

Lenders use three criteria to decide whether or not to approve a mortgage application. Borrowers must meet minimum standards for credit scores, loan-to-value ratios (LTVs) and debt-to-income ratios (DTIs) in order to be approved. Minimum standards vary by the type of mortgage in which you are applying for and by the lender.

Over the past three years, mortgage lenders have been slowly loosening their standards for mortgages. Understanding the reasons for this trend and the differences among different loan types will help today’s borrowers understand their options.

The most widely discussed lending standards are FICO scores, the credit [...]