Are you in the process of buying a home? If so, it can be hard not to get overwhelmed by all the possibilities and choices. You can lose sight of things that are important to you in lieu of shiny countertops or pretty landscaping. Here is a checklist that will help keep you on track.

A new home is one of the biggest purchases people will make in their lifetimes. Regrettably, costly mistakes can be made by anyone involved in the transaction - builders, remodeling contractors, or even the new homeowners themselves. Knowing a few of the common mistakes homeowners make can prevent future confusion and save you lots of time, headaches and most importantly, money.

When it comes to remodeling, the bigger the better is the motto most people go by. According to a recently released National Association of Home Builders survey, additions and whole-house remodels are on the rise. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard predicts that the amount of money toward remodels will get up to $325 billion by the start of 2017.

Buying real estate is about more than just finding a place to call home. Investing in real estate has become increasingly popular over the last fifty years and has become a common investment vehicle. Although the real estate market has plenty of opportunities for making big gains, buying and owning real estate is a lot more complicated than investing in stocks and bonds. With the following points, you will learn to see real estate as an investment.

A list of quick and easy tasks you can complete to boost your home's appeal for the summer buying season.

While a quick look out the window may be enough to send you over the edge? Does the grass need cutting? Do the weeds need pulling? Have the flowers all wilted? Is the pool swarming with dead bugs? Read this

Looking to get a little more for your real estate listing? Sure, you can paint that front door red and add a few flowerbeds, but curb appeal can only get you so far. One secret to asking more for your home is having a pre-listing inspection. By understanding exactly what the issues are in your property, you can either fix them or list at an accurate price, avoiding the hassle of negotiation when the buyer does his or her own inspection to reveal your furnace needs work or your windows need replacing.

?

While living in a condo building or apartment building has its advantages, there are still several important home security things to keep in mind. Here are five tips to keep your home safe from unwanted visitors.

For those with second homes, summer can offer the opportunity to cash in on your property by renting out. But, before you put your listing up on Airbnb, ask yourself the following 4 questions.

Relentless supply constraints and home price growth outpacing wages are testing the patience of homebuyers this year, but existing-home sales are still on track to come in at their highest pace since 2006, according to an economic forecast forum at the 2016 Realtors® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Among the topics addressed were: the growing burden repaying student loan debt is having on young adults, the housing market and the overall U.S. economy.

Despite a rapid increase in home prices, mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest point in three years. As of Tuesday, the average rate for a 30-year conforming mortgage nationally was 3.6 percent, down 2 points from last week. This drop means a 6 percent increase in buying power.

There are disadvantages to lower mortgage rates however. Credit availability declines marginally as the rates decline. With a small margin, lenders become more risk averse so indicators of credit tightness like the average FICO scores have gone up as rates have gone down.

Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often a treasured heirloom, passed down through multiple generations. Still, even the highest quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions. No matter what type it is, wood needs to be properly cared for.

When purchasing furniture, it never hurts to ask for specific cleaning and care instructions.

Here are 10 tips to keep your wood furnishings looking best for many years to come:

Bicycle-friendly amenities are contributing to a surge in property values  for communities everywhere, marshaled by developments in urban centers and suburban outposts that accommodate “active” transportation. At its core, the bicycle boom is about people choosing a lifestyle that gives them more options and requires less dependence on motor vehicles. Through supporting bike infrastructure, real estate professionals who influence the built environment [buildings, neighborhoods and streets] can play a significant role in creating healthier, more sustainable communities.

Kitchen renovations are expensive but luckily there are small, inexpensive tweaks you can make to emulate the same “new space” effect. Here are five changes you can make that will freshen up your kitchen without breaking the bank.