Auction 101: Bidding On Your First Property

With the right combination of strategy, knowledge, and luck, flipping houses can create big profits for short-term investors. However, your path to success starts at your first auction. For first-timers who are intimidated by their lack of experience at public auctions, follow these steps to ease the confusion of your first property purchase. Locate Auctions In Your Area Finding live auctions is as simple as an internet search. Websites run by government agencies list homes that have been seized due to tax liens or foreclosures. Try searching databases maintained by: Fannie Mae The FDIC The US Department of Housing and…
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5 Home Renovations That Really Raise Values

There are many home renovation projects that can increase the comfort and visual appeal of a dwelling. Owners who plan to sell their home in the future, however, prefer to focus on projects that will return a healthy profit at closing. Here are 5 renovation projects that positively impact a home's resale value. Conversions It's easy for real estate agents to convince buyers to bid higher on properties with more bedrooms. Redesign the attic to easily add an extra bedroom without committing to a major construction project. This strategy works well for smaller homes or those in neighborhoods with multiple…
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Tips For Selling Your Home In The Winter

Winter typically isn't one of the busier home buying seasons - those seasons are reserved for spring and summer. But to think that you can't sell your home at market value during the winter months is being naive. In fact, you can even use some of the characteristics that define the season to your advantage. For instance, because winter isn't a hot selling season, there's typically less inventory during this time of year. That said, if your home stands out in the listings, you have a better chance of getting on that coveted "short list" of buyers. Here's a look…
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Complete These Repairs Before You List Your Home

There are several things to do when you prepare to list your home for sale. One of the projects you'll need to do is complete certain repairs. Your home should be in the best possible condition before your real estate agent shows it to potential buyers. While your home doesn't need to be perfect, here is a list of repairs you should strive to get done before you open your home to showings. Front Steps And Deck Issues The front entrance and back deck should be in good shape for curb appeal and safety. Replace or repair wooden steps that…
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4 Signs You’re Going To Need A Bigger House

There comes a time in every young homeowner's life when they need a bigger house. When you buy a starter home, it's unlikely that will be your forever home. But how do you know when it's time to spend the time and effort to upgrade to a larger home? Here are four signs you're gonna need a bigger house! 1. You Have To Move Stuff To Get To Other Stuff In a house where there is enough room for everything, you can move freely and access all your things without having to rearrange furniture. If you find yourself constantly pushing…
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Strategies For Buying And Selling A Home At The Same Time

If you're already a homeowner and you're getting ready to buy a new home, you know it's tricky to buy and sell a home at the same time. There are lots of questions about how to handle this scenario. What if your old home doesn't sell quickly? Will you have to make two mortgage payments? What if you sell and the new owners want to move in before you close on your new home? Depending on your situation, here are some strategies available to you. Get A Bridge Loan If you find yourself facing more than one mortgage payment -…
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4 House “Flaws” You Can Safely Disregard

When you walk through a house with your real estate agent, you're seeing if you and your family would be happy living there. But you're also probably looking for signs of trouble that might spell big expenses later on. Be careful, though. It's important to see the "bones" of the house rather than focusing on minor issues. Here are four flaws you can safely disregard. 1. Stained Carpet Stained carpet is more an indication of the owner's poor cleaning habits than of any real problems with the house. It's so easy to replace carpeting that it's not worth even paying…
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4 Ways to Improve Your Curb Appeal

You have about five minutes to impress (or not) prospective buyers at a showing. For curb appeal, you get about five seconds for buyers to decide whether they want to go inside. Here are four tips to help you get the wow factor from your home's street-facing views. Update Entryway Hardware A wall-mounted mailbox, chic house numbers and a pretty porch light add interest to your entryway. However, dated and dinged hardware impress no one. In a perfect world, all your hardware matches in style, color and finish. Of course, it should also tie-in to the style of your house.…
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