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Knowledge Base

12 Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

Get at least three written estimates. Get references and call to check on the work. If possible, go by and visit earlier jobs. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. Be sure that the ...

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20 Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home

Make your home more appealing for potential buyers with these quick and easy tips. Trim bushes so they don't block windows and cut down on light. Buy a new doormat. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your...

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5 Common First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes

They don't ask enough questions of their lender and miss out on the best deal. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house. They don't find the right real estate professional who is willing to ...

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5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time. How much yo...

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5 Property Tax Questions You Need to Ask

What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller's tax bill to help you determine this information. How often are properties reassessed a...

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5 Things to do Before You Sell

Get estimates from a reliable repair person on items that need to be replaced soon, such as a roof or worn carpeting, for example. In this way, buyers will have a better sense of how much these needed repairs will affect their costs. ...

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5 Things to Understand About Homeowners Insurance

Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These coverages must be bought separately. Look for dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are cover...

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5 Things to Understand About Title Insurance

  It protects your ownership right to your home both from fraudulent claims against your ownership and from mistakes made in earlier sales, such as mistake in the spelling of a persons name or an inaccurate description of the property...

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Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate

When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations. How to Cal...

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What Is a REALTOR?

A real estate agent is a REALTOR when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, The Voice for Real Estate -- the world's largest professional association. The term REALTOR is a registered collective membership mark...

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