Homes.com Staff

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do? 15 Benefits Explained

Buying or selling a home is not just about finding the perfect place or getting the best price. Every real estate transaction involves a maze of legal details, negotiations and countless moving parts. While it’s an exciting process, it can feel overwhelming without the right help. 

January 1, 2025

How to Check a Home's History Before You Rent

4 Ways to Find Out More about the Home You Plan to Rent

January 1, 2025

Installing Tile: Tips and Tricks for the Beginner

Learning how to install tile properly opens up a myriad of money-saving opportunities for the ambitious DIY'er. If you are thinking about taking a sledge hammer to that avocado green tile in your guest-bath, this post is for you! Today we will explore five tips that every beginner needs to consider when tackling a tile installation.

January 1, 2025

Turning Your Home Into a Duplex

What You Need to Know When Turning Your Home Into a Duplex

January 1, 2025

7 Home Staging Secrets: Lighting Can Make All The Difference

As you set out to flaunt your home's best assets, the most vital element might be the lighting tasked with accentuating it all. Think about it: we love parks, shopping centers, and other public areas that have bright, ample lighting. Potential buyers will appreciate the same glow coming from your home.

January 1, 2025

Mortgage 101: The Dos And Don'ts Of Choosing A Cosigner

What You Need to Know Before Selecting a Cosigner for Your Home Loan

January 1, 2025

Eight Ways to Save on Homeowners' Insurance

When you qualify for a mortgage, your lender will require you to take out insurance to protect the value of your home. Even if you don't have a mortgage, you will want to protect your more valuable asset with property and casualty insurance that covers your home and its contents.Homeowners paid an average of $1,173 for home insurance in 2015, the most recent year for which data is available, but costs vary significantly by location. Florida had the highest average homeowners' insurance premium in 2015 ($1,993), and Oregon had the lowest ($643), according to the Insurance Information Institute.Standard home insurance policies provide financial protection against loss due to most natural disasters, fire, theft and accidents. Most standard policies include four essential types of coverage: coverage for the structure of your home; coverage for your personal belongings; limited liability protection; and coverage for additional living expenses.Most standard homeowners' policies don't cover damage from a sewer backup, sinkholes, termite damage and business losses. Many property and casualty insurers offer 'riders,' or separate policies that provide additional coverage. Homeowners can buy insurance from pest control companies that cover damage from pests and flood insurance is available through FEMA's flood insurance program or private insurers. Standard home policies have limits on the dollar amount of liability that they cover, but homeowners can buy 'umbrella' policies that provide additional liability coverage.In nineteen states and the District of Columbia, homeowners can buy coverage for hurricanes, tornadoes, and other windstorms. To some degree, depending on the state, insurance companies determine the level of the hurricane or windstorm or wind/hail deductible and where it should apply, except in Florida where state law dictates these variables. Insurers' hurricane deductible plans must be reviewed by the individual state insurance department where they may be subject to various regulations and laws.Coverage for earthquake damage is excluded in most property insurance policies, including homeowners and business owners package policies. If you live in an earthquake-prone area like California or Hawaii, you can buy a special earthquake insurance policy or commercial property rider.Lenders require proof of homeowners' insurance coverage at closing, so buyers shouldn't put off learning about homeowner's insurance and finding an insurance provider. Many buyers don't shop for the best deal and end up paying more than they need to for coverage to protect their homes.Here are eight tips that will help you find the best policy for your needs at the best price.

January 1, 2025

Does it Pay to Remodel Your Home?

During the years after the housing crash in 2007, plunging home values erased millions of homeowners’ equity. Unable to refinance or take out home equity loans, homeowners postponed plans to remodel or launch major home improvements.With the arrival of the housing recovery three years ago, equity began to recover. Projects shelved for six years were back on the table, and the remodeling industry boomed. Spending for home improvements has continued to accelerate, and the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies forecasts year over year spending on remodeling will reach 6.8% in the second quarter of 2016.

January 1, 2025

How Much Home Could You Afford Around The World?

It costs more than ever to get your foot on the property ladder and own your own home, but how does real estate affordability compare across the globe?As an example, while someone earning the average salary in the US could afford a property of around 670 ft2 in size, the typical Brit would only be able to afford around 215 ft2; a 68% reduction in size.To demonstrate the affordability of property around the world, Homes.com set out to research the cost per square ft of homes in all 36 OECD countries alongside the median annual household income in each, assuming a salary multiplier of 3x for affordability.

January 1, 2025

Selling Your Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selling your home is a complex process that requires careful planning. You’ll market your home to potential buyers in hopes of receiving a fair offer. From there, you’ll negotiate the sale price and go through multiple steps before closing the deal. 

January 1, 2025