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

When to offer less than a home's list price — When to offer less than a home's list price

Consider recent sales, home condition and other factors.

13 hours 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

Do closets increase home value? — Do closets increase home value?

Renovation costs, return on investment and staging tips for every storage upgrade.

Jun 17, 2026

Who prepares legal documents for homes sold without agents? — Who prepares legal documents for homes sold without agents?

Transaction splits paperwork among an attorney, title company and the property holder themselves.

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

What is a mother-in-law suite? Benefits, design ideas and costs. — What is a mother-in-law suite? Benefits, design ideas and costs.

Explore the advantages, and other uses like a home office or rental income.

Apr 15, 2026

Moving survival kit: Essential items to have before unpacking — Moving survival kit: Essential items to have before unpacking

Here’s what you'll need the first few days while you're still living in boxes.

Oct 21, 2025

Sunroom additions: Design ideas and considerations for your home — Sunroom additions: Design ideas and considerations for your home

Explore styles, materials and features to find the perfect match for your house and budget.

Apr 15, 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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