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

What to look for when viewing a house: A room-by-room checklist

Buying a Home

What to look for when viewing a house: A room-by-room checklist

A printable walkthrough guide covering the exterior, every major room and the questions to ask your agent before you leave.

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.

Jul 28, 2025

How to determine if a rental property will make money — How to determine if a rental property will make money

Three formulas help investors screen deals, stress-test financing and measure operational efficiency before buying.

Aug 06, 2026

Maintenance is the homeownership expense many first-time buyers overlook — Maintenance is the homeownership expense many first-time buyers overlook

Keeping the property functioning, safe and valuable should be part of monthly budgeting.

Jul 24, 2026

Should you invest in a fixer-upper? — Should you invest in a fixer-upper?

A lower price tag can mean a bigger project, so here is how to budget, find the right loan and decide whether the investment is worth it.

Jul 29, 2026

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.

Aug 04, 2025

Selling a home in September 2026: Pricing, prep and timing — Selling a home in September 2026: Pricing, prep and timing

Market data, agent advice and preparation strategies to help you close before year-end.

2 days ago

How long does it take to sell a house? — How long does it take to sell a house?

Learn how factors like market conditions, location and pricing influence the process.

Aug 10, 2026

Short sale vs. foreclosure: The differences explained — Short sale vs. foreclosure: The differences explained

Explore how each process works, the impact on your credit and alternatives that could help you avoid losing your home.

Aug 20, 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

Are off-market apartments cheaper? — Are off-market apartments cheaper?

Listing status alone does not determine price, and brokers hold earlier access, not hidden discounts.

Aug 18, 2026

Rental walk-through checklist: Protect your deposit — Rental walk-through checklist: Protect your deposit

A room-by-room guide to documenting existing damage, handling pest evidence and keeping your security deposit intact.

Aug 11, 2026

How to check a home's history before you rent — How to check a home's history before you rent

Potential tenants can learn about crime, flooding and building code violations

Aug 06, 2026

Local Insights

Predicting the housing market: Indicators that shape every forecast — Predicting the housing market: Indicators that shape every forecast

Learn how building permits, mortgage rates and sale-price trends work together to signal where conditions may be headed.

Aug 24, 2026

How to prepare your home for fall and winter — How to prepare your home for fall and winter

A checklist for your yard, exterior and mechanical systems before you seal up for the season.

Aug 12, 2026

10 ways to fit in like a true Washingtonian — 10 ways to fit in like a true Washingtonian

Where locals can explore, eat and relax in the nation's capital.

Jul 23, 2026

Termite infestation: Warning signs, damage and prevention tips for homeowners — Termite infestation: Warning signs, damage and prevention tips for homeowners

A guide to early detection, treatment costs and the risks if left unchecked.

Aug 19, 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

What is a Cape Cod-style house? — What is a Cape Cod-style house?

From colonial origins to modern renovation costs, here's what to evaluate before making an offer.

Aug 03, 2026

What is a Contemporary home? Here is a guide to the style. — What is a Contemporary home? Here is a guide to the style.

This constantly evolving architectural approach prioritizes open layouts, natural light and mixed materials.

Aug 18, 2026

What is a bungalow home? — What is a bungalow home?

From Craftsman porches to century-old wiring, here's what defines this single-story style and what owning one actually costs.

Jul 30, 2026

Explore Homes.com