Real Estate Insights & Home Buying and Selling Guides - Homes.com

What is a nonconforming mortgage? Here’s why you should be cautious of it.

Buying a Home

What is a nonconforming mortgage? Here’s why you should be cautious of it.

These loans can make a purchase possible — but often by allowing buyers to take on more financial risk than standard borrowing permits.

Buying a Home

Buying a home in 10 steps — Buying a home in 10 steps

Homes.com helps you find your community, navigate the mortgage process, negotiate an offer and seal the deal.

Dec 11, 2025

Buying a condo in 10 steps — Buying a condo in 10 steps

Here's what you need to know, from assessing your finances to moving.

Jan 15, 2026

Building a custom home in 10 steps — Building a custom home in 10 steps

A guide to financing, designing and building your own house.

Apr 22, 2026

Should I finance through a new home builder? — Should I finance through a new home builder?

Weigh rate-lock terms, concession caps and closing-cost credits before signing a purchase contract.

1 day ago

Selling a Home

Selling a home in 10 steps — Selling a home in 10 steps

Homes.com helps you get your place show-ready, hire an agent, negotiate offers, and seal the deal.

Dec 18, 2025

How much does home staging cost? — How much does home staging cost?

Average pricing for occupied and vacant properties, what drives fees up or down and when the investment pays for itself.

Jun 23, 2026

Selling a home with pets: What you need to know — Selling a home with pets: What you need to know

From odor removal and damage repair to showing-day logistics, here's how to prepare your property for a smooth listing.

Jun 16, 2026

Why leasing solar panels can hurt a home sale — Why leasing solar panels can hurt a home sale

A third-party contract on your roof can shrink the buyer pool, delay closing and add unexpected costs.

Jun 23, 2026

Renting a Home

How to rent a home in 10 steps — How to rent a home in 10 steps

What to know from checking your credit score to signing the lease to moving in.

Feb 10, 2026

Where renters have the most negotiating power in 2026 — Where renters have the most negotiating power in 2026

Falling rents, rising supply and increased concessions are giving tenants an edge in select U.S. markets this year.

Jun 23, 2026

Renting a home vs. an apartment: What renters need to know — Renting a home vs. an apartment: What renters need to know

Explore living arrangements, monthly expenses and lease flexibility to find the best fit for your situation.

Jun 02, 2026

How to rent out your home: A step-by-step guide for first-time landlords — How to rent out your home: A step-by-step guide for first-time landlords

A practical guide for homeowners to rent out their property, covering legal steps, pricing and tenant screening.

May 12, 2026

Local Insights

How to keep your home cool in the summer heat — How to keep your home cool in the summer heat

Window treatments, insulation, HVAC care and shade strategies help lower indoor temperatures and energy costs for all climates.

Jun 04, 2026

Does it pay to remodel your home? — Does it pay to remodel your home?

Returns range from 18% for upscale additions to 268% for a garage door replacement, according to a report.

Jun 23, 2026

Top 10 beach towns for buyers — Top 10 beach towns for buyers

Explore coastal cities with lifestyle details, home prices and buyer tips from recent rankings.

Jun 17, 2026

How to use walk, bike, transit and sound scores in your house-hunting journey — How to use walk, bike, transit and sound scores in your house-hunting journey

Quick ratings that reveal daily livability beyond price and size.

Jun 15, 2026

Architectural Styles

A guide to the most popular home architectural styles — A guide to the most popular home architectural styles

How to identify common home styles, their key features, origins and maintenance costs.

Jun 12, 2026

Driven by nostalgia, Colonial Revival homes are everywhere — Driven by nostalgia, Colonial Revival homes are everywhere

But the varied, often hybrid, style can be difficult to pick out.

Apr 15, 2026

The ranch home would like your attention, but it might need some work — The ranch home would like your attention, but it might need some work

These long, single-level homes embodied easy living without aesthetic risk.

Mar 30, 2026

How the hopeful (if rare) International Style came to be — How the hopeful (if rare) International Style came to be

Houses built in this blocky, stark style are not the easiest structures to maintain.

Feb 27, 2026

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