How to Home

The months of December through February see less robust real estate activity in many areas due to the holidays and the cold weather, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. But if you need to sell your home during winter, you can capitalize on certain advantages that seasonal selling provides. For one thing, winter buyers are typically motivated, whether it’s due to a work relocation, expanding family or other pressing need. And because there are generally fewer homes on the market during this time, sellers can benefit from less competition when negotiating offers.

Do you have a home-improvement project on the horizon? Whether you’re looking to renovate a home you’ve just purchased, improve the value of your home before you sell it, or just bring more joy to your life, a remodeling contractor will make the process easier, mitigate potential costly errors and ensure that your projects are up to code.

You’ve made an offer on a home—or you’re selling your home and have received a contract offer. Regardless of which side of the transaction you’re on, you need a clear understanding of any contingencies that are part of the real estate contract.

For aspiring home buyers, a condominium can be an attractive option. Condos are typically more affordable than single-family homes and require less maintenance, and they’re often situated near shops, entertainment and transportation. If you’re considering a condo purchase, here’s a primer that will help you evaluate your options and maximize the enjoyment of your new home.

Buying a home is an exciting milestone and major investment for you and your family. You can keep your investment safe by being mindful that real estate transactions are sometimes targeted by scammers attempting to perpetrate wire fraud. Annual losses from wire fraud amounted to $446.1 million in 2022, according to the most recent statistics available from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The best way to reduce your risk is to work with professionals, including a REALTOR®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®.

Here are eight programs in which NAR members might feel an impact if Congress doesn’t take action by Sept. 30.

When you hire an agent who is a REALTOR® to help sell your home, you’re gaining a partner with the skills, connections, knowledge and expertise to showcase your home to its fullest potential. Your agent will create a plan for marketing your home; talk with you about listing it in the multiple listing service (MLS), a marketplace that helps you reach the largest possible pool of serious buyers and maximize the price for your home; and guide you through preparing your home for sale.

When you’re buying a home for the first time, there are plenty of new terms to learn. One that can cause confusion is private mortgage insurance, or PMI. PMI is an insurance policy that protects the lender in case you default on the loan. You’ll likely be required to purchase PMI if you are buying a home using a conventional mortgage and you are putting down less than 20% of the purchase price.

For those who’ve completed military service or are actively serving our country, the VA Home Loan Guaranty is a great path to achieving the dream of homeownership. This U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program can make owning a home more attainable and affordable.

Get smart about your market. Local real estate data, fresh every month.

Mortgage types explained for new buyers.

Buying or selling a home is an exciting—but stressful—milestone. For some, the most daunting part is packing and moving. But proper planning and a solid packing strategy can ease the task. These 10 practical tips will help. You’ve got this!

Follow pro advice about how to cut your electric bills and use less electricity even with rising costs and summer heat.

Homeownership has always had its perks when it comes to tax deductions, but the latest tax reform helps homeowners save even more money. Here’s why.

From architectural character to lasting craftsmanship, historic homes offer one-of-a-kind charm, but they also come with unique responsibilities for the owner. Here are a few of the things you should know before buying a historic property:

Get smart about your market. Local real estate data, fresh every month.

Improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t have to involve a full home renovation. Whether you’re looking to lower utility bills, preparing to sell, or simply modernizing your home, here’s how to get started and what to keep in mind along the way.

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you can make. Many professionals are available to help you throughout the homebuying process, including a real estate attorney. When navigating the homebuying process, this is how a real estate attorney can help you:

In celebration of National Homeownership Month, we believe it’s the perfect time to bring attention to a unique opportunity for first-time homebuyers in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties.