It seems that the best place to extend your home out into the yard always has a big set back, it is either a drain or a tree, and neither one is easy to deal with. Trees do add value to a property, so ask yourself if it really has to go. E...

While rural life would be considered a nightmare by some of us, the idea of 'living in the country' is still a heartfelt dream for many. Is it really so different living in the rural areas, or is it just more peaceful with more birdsong? ...

So you moved into your new home and it was your pride and joy - for a few days. Then you noticed that the cabinet doors weren't always flush, the plumbing started talking to you, the floorboards creaked - and suddenly the dream was a nightmare. Fortun...

We don't need to tell you that the internet has revolutionized real estate. After all, you're here, reading this online. But there are still people out there who don't use the internet in their search for the right home to buy. For them, the process of...

There is nothing worse than going into an important situation and having it turn out far different than you imagined. If you are getting ready to buy, or are maybe already in the process, make sure you don't blow it by being too naive. One bi...

While most agents discourage the idea, making it out to be a huge and stressful ordeal, selling your home yourself can be a rewarding project, both personally and financially. It is generally agreed that finding buyers is the biggest challen...

If you've recently taken the plunge and purchased a second home, or are considering doing so, there are a lot of special considerations to think about. Owning two homes is roughly twice the responsibility, twice the expense, and presents unique problem...

Mold can be the bane of a homeowner. At its worse, it can damage the structure of a home, and cause all sorts of health problems for those living or working in the space. Even in small amounts it is unsightly and stinky. It isn't impossible to get rid ...

In the haste to make a sale, many realtors have forgotten that their safety is more important than any amount of commission. Realtors have been robbed, beaten, raped and murdered while showing homes. The isolated nature of an empty house makes it e...

If you're a realtor who has a MySpace page to make contacts and generate leads, good for you! You're joining a growing number of business people who are using this to connect with colleagues and potential clients. MySpace, along with Facebook and...

It is obvious that we are in an unprecedented realty situation at the moment. Losing your home is listed as one of life's major crises, up there with death and divorce, and yet this crisis is predicted to continue for another year. It raises the ques...

Some of the 19th century's most imposing, majestic homes and public buildings were built in the Second Empire style. Based on French design elements popular during the Second French Empire, this building form was popular throughout the European sphe...

Monterey architecture helped define the look of many Southern California cities, and is still one of the region's most popular home building styles. It's not uncommon to see entire neighborhoods of Monterey homes, especially in coastal areas where the ...

Hawaii has been known for its creative home ownership solutions throughout the years. They were the first state to have condominiums in the 70's. Timeshares were next to follow, but they had their problems. Prices and risks were high, with a lot of fly...

There are very few people who do not use the Internet these days. House hunting on the Internet is much more fun than the time-consuming chore of dragging around to each property with the real estate agent. While a virtual tour can hide flaw...