Real Estate Tips

One of the most challenging things about living in a smaller home or condo in Jupiter is staying organized. For recent homebuyers new to living in a smaller space, or for those in the process of purchasing a smaller home who need help, these tips can help you keep a space tidy and comfortable.

Purge Often

Purging is one of the most crucial skills of small-home dwellers. For those new to small-home living, make purging a regular occurrence in the house. This may be done spontaneously at times when it seems convenient, or it may be scheduled. Make use of charities and consignment shops in the area that will give away or sell old items. This ensures that any old stuff will go to good use.

Keep Things Off the Floor

Floor space is crucial in

When planning to sell a home, many people presume that they have to replace all the appliances so that the home looks updated and appealing, particularly as part of a kitchen update. In some cases, you may not have to replace appliances. Here is what you need to know about what happens to the appliances during a home sale, and how to decide which ones need an upgrade.

Which Appliances Stay With the Home?

You would be surprised to learn that there are not too many rules governing the division of appliances between buyer and seller. As a general guideline, anything that was built as a permanent fixture of the home must remain with the property. This is why ceiling fans and window treatments are typically considered fixtures, while wall sconces

Looking for a new home to buy can sometimes lead you into finding additional deals that can make a great investment to your potential property. You may discover a great house to purchase in an ideal neighborhood that can give you all the features you need. Yet it is the adjacent property that has piqued your interest. Next to the house is a vacant lot with overgrown grass and a "For Sale" sign hanging lopsided on a post. Before leaving the showing, you may find yourself considering the possibility of buying a vacant lot.

Advantages to Buying the Vacant Lot Next Door

Many people may be turned off by the conditions of a vacant empty lot next to a house that is on the real estate listings. Yet there are many reasons why it can be a great

People who are currently renting a home they really like may wonder about buying it, especially if they are dreading the moving process or having trouble finding a home they feel fits their needs. The transition from renter to homeowner is a big one, and while some landlords may have no interest in selling one of the rental homes they own, a few may be perfectly happy to entertain the idea. But before asking a landlord about purchasing the home in which they are currently renting, tenants should consider making some preparations first to make sure the home really is the best possible fit for them and to ensure that they will be negotiating to purchase it from a position of strength. 

Research Current Market Value

Tenants who are seriously

Many buyers have a vision for their new home and may feel ready to jump into the market. However, the process can quickly descend into a chaotic mess if they don't impose some order upon it. Before starting to look at homes, here are five things to do before diving into the housing market.

1. Create a Budget

The very first thing you should do is create a budget. There is no reason to consider homes outside what you can reasonably afford. A common rule of thumb is to set a budget no more than three times the annual household budget, but it is important to remember that everyone’s situation is different.

Perhaps more important, the mortgage payment shouldn't be an uncomfortable portion of monthly income. Let it creep higher and you may find

When you live in a place that is very hot or cold, the way you sell your home changes somewhat. You have to pay extra attention to the aspects of the home that help preserve the inside temperature to keep from freezing or overheating. Focus on these parts of your home so that your property is ready for the coldest winter or hottest summer and can attract buyers with its preparedness.

Hot Climate Areas

Regions with hot summers may have differing needs. Hot and humid climates require careful maintenance of the humidity in the home, while hot and dry may not. In all cases, you want good cooling equipment and protection from the hot sun.

Insulation

People think of insulation as being important for winter, but it is also vital for summer

Buying coastal and waterfront property is different from buying inland property in a variety of ways. If a buyer wishes to buy a beach- or lake-front home, but has never done so, knowing the risks and the ways in which coastal properties are different from inland properties is an important first step of making an informed purchase.

Know the Property’s History and Expectations for the Future

Beaches can change with time. Erosion, rising water lines and other factors can quickly change the landscape of your coastal property, and not always for the better. Knowing the history of the beach can tell you more about the stability of the landscape. If you’re not sure how to find out what you can expect from the property in the future, talk to the

If you've never had a home with a septic system, the thought of owning one can be intimidating. Are they a health threat? What happens if they fail? How much do they cost? If the house of your dreams has a septic system, don't rule it out until you've informed yourself about what septic systems are, the costs involved and how to maintain them.

What a Septic System Is

Septic systems are for homes which are not hooked up to municipal sewers. Most people associate them with rural living, but there are towns and even suburbs that rely on septic systems. As many as 25% of American households still depend on them.

If a home has no sewer to carry away waste, a local septic system is necessary.

Household sewage empties into an underground tank

Owning a vacation home in an area with opportunities for relaxation and recreational fun is a dream come true for a growing number of people in the United States today. In fact, recent statistics provided by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) show that approximately 1.3 million vacation properties were sold in 2014, a 57% increase over the previous year.

In some cases, however, life changes occur that make owning a second home unnecessary or even unaffordable. When this happens, owners often find that selling their vacation home is sometimes a more challenging process than selling a home used as a permanent residence. If a vacation home is no longer a good fit for your life or your finances, the following tips will offer insight to help

When it comes to buying a home or condo in Jupiter, the thing most people think about is the cost of the home. They want to buy a home that is within their budget, but they also want to get a home they love, in a great location. Sometimes all those things come together, and other times they don't. Sometimes, homebuyers walk away, wait for other options, or decide that they can sacrifice one of the things they like or want in order to get the rest of the things on their list.

No matter where you are in the home buying process, making sure there is a budget for closing costs is important, since that can help avoid any financial surprises right before closing.

What About No Down Payment Loans?

Some loans are advertised as having no down