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Parents who want to help their offspring buy their first houses should make sure the kids fully understand what Mom and Dad expect in return. According to a poll this spring, parents and kids don’t al... more

Folks who are moving often hold garage sales to get rid of their unwanted stuff. But after that, they’re usually in a quandary: What do we do with the rest of the things we no longer want or need?... more

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can cause a seller and buyer big headaches.... more

A good number of buyers have been robbing their piggy banks lately, hoping that paying cash will help them beat out the competition for any decent houses still left on the market.... more

Building sites for single-family houses hit a record high last year, even as lots were the smallest ever, according to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction.... more

If your house is damaged in a fire, hurricane, flood or other disaster, you should call your insurance company first thing. But after that, call your local appraiser’s office.... more

More than 1 million senior homeowners have now taken out reverse mortgages. There’s a good chance you might, too, once you reach age 62. But the question of how to use the money from the loan is just ... more

Would you buy a mortgage from Kevin Costner?... more

Natural disasters rarely come with a warning. With the exception of hurricanes, most disasters sneak up on you. But there is plenty you can do to protect yourself and your family should a flood, fire,... more

Buyers of new homes will soon be seeing larger model home kitchens with darker, bolder colors, especially when it comes to their appliances.... more

Federal mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have long been tasked by Congress with serving areas that don’t get much attention from the private sector. And that could help you get a home loan... more

There’s no doubt that buying a house is an expensive proposition. Anybody who goes into the process thinking otherwise is in for a rude awakening.... more

Finding and evaluating a home improvement contractor is a difficult process. Do it right, and you will be happy with the work. But do it wrong, and your project could be a nightmare.... more

Divorce is never easy. And when real estate is involved, it can get downright exhausting.... more

Move over, real estate companies. There’s a new game in town.... more

There’s nothing more offensive than a seller hovering over a would-be buyer when he or she is looking at the house.... more

Housing choices are going to the dogs. Literally.... more

It’s always best to come in first when it comes to buying a house. But if the seller accepts another buyer’s offer on the house you want, there’s nothing wrong with coming in second.... more

Every landlord has tales to tell about the trials and tribulations of owning rental property. Here are a few of mine:... more

There’s nothing that ticks off homebuyers more than their lenders taking time off.... more

Ever since Ugg married Meg and they purchased their first cave, there have been co-signers.... more

New homebuyers who search builder websites are likely to be in for a big surprise when they visit model homes.... more

The farm-to-table movement, first popularized by restaurants and grocery stores wishing to showcase the freshness of their local ingredients and produce, is slowly gaining credence in residential real... more

Lenders continue to work overtime in their efforts to reach more borrowers by introducing “new” mortgages. But these loans often have a tinge of the old subprime products that helped devastate the hou... more

Privacy windows are starting to find their way into new homes.... more

Selling a house is complicated enough. But when the house is being rented and occupied by a tenant, the degree of difficulty is compounded exponentially.... more

Millennials, the population cohort whose members were practically born with electronic devices in their hands, are generally considered the most likely to finance a house through a totally automated p... more

Write a love letter about the house. Add favorable clauses to the contract. Forego any contingencies. These are often cited as tactics that can help you triumph in a bidding war. But there are other w... more