With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s not only love that fills the air, but a renewed sense of commitment among couples. From lovely surprises to grand gestures, the romantic holiday serves as a catalyst for them to take the next step in their relationships, such as buying a home together.

Aiming to have a cleaner and calmer home this year? You’re still on the right track for a fresh start. Before life gets busier and mess slowly creeps back in, we’ve rounded up small but impactful habits to start now, and which you can actually stick to for the long term.

Listing your home at the beginning of the year can give you a competitive edge, get ahead of the market, and attract serious buyers—all of which can potentially lead to a faster, smoother sale.

It’s exciting knowing that you’re starting a fresh life in your new abode. But that exhilarating feeling can quickly be replaced with dread once you realize that the moving truck has left the driveway, and you’ll need to face the daunting task of unpacking your belongings.

When selling a home, it’s not uncommon for your buyer to ask for more time before closing. This request to extend the closing date might be due to financing, inspection, paperwork delays, or life changes, among other reasons. It’s frustrating, yes, and may leave you wondering what it means for your plans and your timeline.

When selling a home, it’s not uncommon for your buyer to ask for more time before closing. This request to extend the closing date might be due to financing, inspection, paperwork delays, or life changes, among other reasons. It’s frustrating, yes, and may leave you wondering what it means for your plans and your timeline. 

However, it’s not uncommon for a home sale to face some sort of delay. If a buyer needs to extend closing, make sure you view it as a practical request and not as a dealbreaker. After all, it’s highly likely that the buyer would also want to close as early as possible.

From structural defects to pest infestations, certain warning signs detailed in the inspection report can reveal underlying risks that every buyer should take seriously. Here are the top five red flags you should watch out for.

Here are some of the best low-cost projects you can tackle this season to make your home feel brand new.

Photos, videos, and virtual tours—these are all great ways to showcase your house to buyers when selling. However, there’s nothing like physically stepping into the home and seeing the condition of the space with your own eyes.

Savvy home buyers know that some of the most important things to check are the ones you don’t admire at first glance, such as the age of the roof, the stability of the foundation, or, in this case, the condition of the home’s HVAC system. 

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a critical component that is often overlooked, but it can directly impact your monthly energy bills, air quality, and comfort in the home. And the reality is that it’s one of the most expensive things to replace. If it breaks as soon as you move in, brace yourself not only for an uncomfortable stay but also for a steep out-of-pocket cost.

POV: You’re a homeowner thinking about downsizing, upsizing, or relocating to a new area. Your biggest dilemma now? It’s probably this: whether to sell your current home before buying a new one, or buy first and then sell.

Whether you’ll be working on small upgrades to simply refresh your space this summer, or diving into a major remodel before listing your home for sale, remember that preparation is key. It’s important to take a step back and plan before kicking off your long-planned renovation.

Asking the right questions is crucial, especially when plunging into homeownership. There’s always been a long checklist of questions for you to know and understand every part of the real estate transaction. But how about “soul searching” questions you should be asking yourself first? Many times, these questions are often overlooked simply because they can make you feel uncomfortable.

Regardless of what they’re called, an accessory dwelling unit, also known as an ADU, is an additional living quarters on single-family lots that is independent of the primary dwelling unit, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The separate living spaces are equipped with kitchen and bathroom facilities, and can be either attached or detached from the main residence.