Home – Buying / Selling

Houses on a hill.

Buying an Investment Property? Here Are 5 Cities Where Home Values Have Increased

Since the housing bubble burst in 2008, property values have been steadily recovering across the country – but some cities are recovering faster than others. According to Kiplinger.com, a few top performers have seen double-digit property value percentage increases from 2011 to 2012. The cities each have populations of more than 500,000, and could be a good place to start looking if you’re in the market for an investment property – but keep in mind that property values can fluctuate quickly, so check real estate appraisal sites like Zillow.com for up-to-date information.

Staged kitchen.

5 Tips for Staging Your Home on a Budget

First impressions are everything, whether you’re viewing a house, test-driving a car or meeting your daughter’s prom date. That’s why an entire industry has developed around staging homes to help them sell.

Home mortgages.

The ABCs of ARMs: Decoding Mortgage Jargon

What was the last purchase you researched before buying? Was it a $50 toaster, or maybe a $200 smartphone? What about a $200,000 house?

Buying a house may be the most expensive purchase you ever make, and a little mortgage education can go a long way toward getting you a good deal. Here are a few mortgage terms you should brush up on before signing on any dotted lines.