Real Estate

Maybe you've recently won the lottery and are in the market for a private island. But you have no idea where to begin. We'll tell you everything you need to know about buying your own island getaway.

By Beth Brindle

Section 8 has been an economic lifeline for millions by helping them pay for safe, clean housing. But what exactly are the requirements, and who is eligible?

By John Perritano

Buying a vacant lot can be complicated, not to mention expensive. There are several things you should know before you make such a major purchase. We've outlined 10 of them to help simplify the process.

By Wesley Fenlon

It's reasonable to feel slighted when a co-op board rejects your application or oversteps the bounds of its written rules. But do you have a valid reason to sue the co-op board?

By Garth Sundem

Believe it or not, but a deed restriction could be the roadblock to your dream home. But what exactly are some of the most common ones, and how can they sideline your big build?

By Matt Sailor

Maybe you've seen ads for raw land at low prices and think this could be a good investment. Before you buy any, read our 10 tips so you won't be left high and dry with some useless swampland.

By Jodie Schneider

Most of the water we drink and use is groundwater coming from rain or snow that has collected in the ground. The groundwater level on your land can impact the type of house, complex or well you're planning to build. We'll show you how.

By Jodie Schneider

Restrictive covenants help enforce standards and uniformity in neighborhoods. But they can also ban you from building fences, adding a pool and even cutting down trees. So how can you get out a restrictive covenant?

By Matt Sailor

There are many sneaky pitfalls that can hurt your chances of being accepted by a co-op board, because they have the legal right to be rather arbitrary. What are some things that might cause the board to reject you?

By Garth Sundem

You've hired a real estate agent, and you're well into the selling process, but things aren't going well. What can you do if you're worried that your agent might not be able to sell your home after all?

By Rebecca Fairley Raney

The value a home appraiser sets can make or break the sale of your home. So what can you do to assure your home appraises at the price you want?

By Terri Briseno

Pricing your home for sale can be tricky. When looking at such high numbers, it's easy to be blasé about 10k here or there. On the flip side, you don't want to price your home out of the market entirely. So how do you set a price for your home?

By Garth Sundem

Home staging is the process of transforming your house from a home into a show-worthy work of art. It can reduce time on the market and add to your eventual takeaway. So what's the best way to stage your home?

By Jacob Clifton

If you're planning to sell your home, chances are you've already done the math and decided it's the right time. But how much should you spend on home renovations and fix-up before you put your house on the market?

By Jacob Clifton

It's true that anyone can shop for a house, and even get a peek inside, without formally signing on with a real estate agent. But what are some of the benefits of using an agent to buy your new home?

By Rebecca Fairley Raney

Buying a house is a bit easier these days thanks to technology. There are now so many tools to aid us in the process that we can do much of the work from home. These are 10 tools that harness the power of modern technology and make the home buying process as painless as possible.

By Wesley Fenlon

A professional and successful listing agent can be a huge asset for you when you're putting your house on the market. But did you know that there are actually things you should never tell your agent while they're selling your house? Read on to find out what they are.

By Matt Sailor

When the economy sours, home vacancies dramatically increase. But who is responsible for abandoned properties, and what can you do about it? We have the answers.

By Sarah Winkler

Moving can be stressful -- maybe even a bit frightening for first-timers. But it doesn't have to be. Having a timeline and a checklist can help.

By Alison Cooper

Buying your first home is super exciting, a little nerve-wracking and a huge decision. For some, the emotional roller coaster may be enough to keep you renting forever. But don't fret; a home inspection can help quell some of those fears.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Buying your very first house can seem like a daunting task. While thoughts of white picket fences and granite countertops might be dancing in your head, you don't want to be carried off by a dream and left holding a serious bill. But if you go into it with some research and a little help from others, you can make the right choices as a first-time home buyer.

By Jessica Brown

Unless you only operate with cold, hard cash, credit is a way of life. And managing that credit to keep you in the money is extremely important. Where does you credit score come into the equation, and what does it mean?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Home is where the heart is for sure, but in these uncertain economic times, home might turn out to be where the jobs are, too. These 10 cities boast low unemployment rates and reasonable living costs. Did your city make the list?

By Sara Elliott

So, you're in the car rolling along and you see it, your dream house. While you may not be able to afford everything on your wish list, you will want a few amenities you've been yearning for. But do you really need them?

By Sara Elliott

Whereas a few years ago you could get a subprime loan without much trouble, the mortgage mess has led to a lot more caution in the way home loans are approved these days. If you're credit needs work, owning a home may be a distant dream.

By Sara Elliott