Real Estate

Presentation and first impressions mean everything when selling a home, and real estate agents know that neutral colors can be safest. But do you have to use only neutral paint colors when selling your home?

By Matt Cunningham

Sometimes, as people in foreclosure watch their homes slip away, they wonder if they should try to bid on their own home during the auction. Can they actually do this? Legally, yes, but they'll have some major hurdles ahead.

By Denise Harrison

First impressions are everything when selling your home, and it's critical that your decor puts the house's best foot forward. So, what are some paint colors that can help with the sale?

By Matt Cunningham & John Perritano

In 2010, 2.87 million properties received default notices, went up for auction or were repossessed -- a perfect storm for anyone wanting to buy a home at a foreclosure auction. What do you need to know before attending such an auction?

By Denise Harrison

As you get closer to retirement age, it might feel like it's too late to buy a home. While this might be true in some cases, there are times when it still makes sense to buy. But are you ever too old to buy your first house?

By Becky Striepe

The Section 8 waiting lists are long and almost impossible to get on. So how exactly do you apply for Section 8 housing?

By John Perritano

There's no point in falling for a house in a neighborhood you can't stand. And if you realize after you move that the area's not for you, it's too late. Find out what to look for to find the perfect neighborhood before you look for your next house.

By Danielle Fisher

Choosing a new neighborhood is a huge decision. And if there's one thing you should do to ensure you make the right choice it's your homework -- and that includes everything from online research to in-person visits.

By Danielle Fisher

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

Choosing land can be a lot more difficult than choosing a house. Find out how to locate and select the right lot -- and avoid any surprises that could trip you up down the road.

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

In a slow real estate market, you can't just put a for sale sign in the yard and expect eager buyers to come knocking down your door with offers. Instead it's best to hire a listing agent to bring buyers and get you the best price possible. But how do you choose the right agent?

By Matt Sailor