Marcie Geffner

For the first time in years, home buyers are shopping with more time and bargaining power, and even price cuts in some areas — meaning you may be facing less competition on that home you’ve been eyeing. If that’s inspiring you to make your home buying goal a reality, it’s time to get prepared. Having your finances in order and a robust home buying team can go a long way towards ensuring you’re well-positioned to put in a winning offer. This checklist walks you through how to prepare to buy a ...

Ask any marketing expert for holiday-related social media marketing tips, and you'll likely get a ton of suggestions from giveaways to Pinterest pins and Facebook ads. But there are now so many social channels and campaign types to choose from it can make your head spin. And many of them are cost-prohibitive if you're on a tight budget.
Still, some retailers and online sellers find a way through the clutter to create free or low-cost holiday-related social media campaigns that actually work. ...

With inflation tightening household budgets and rising rates making refinancing less attractive, it’s no wonder many homeowners are seeking other ways to lower their mortgage payments.

Here are eight smart strategies — straight from mortgage professionals — that could provide significant savings in the short term, long term or both. Prospective buyers curious about the costs of homeownership may want to take notes too.

1. Cancel your mortgage insurance

Mortgage insurance is a fee that many ho...

Paint. Broadband. Dog house. You might think these easy, low-cost home upgrades wouldn’t add much value, but our research shows that these and other home upgrades with estimated price tags of less than $100, $500 or $1,000 can generate big returns when you sell your home.
An analysis of more than 200 features in the listing descriptions of more than 3 million homes sold in 2020 and 2021 turned up the following home renovation ideas on a budget.
Under $100
New paint
A fresh coat of paint is a ...

Pets may be more popular in America today than baseball or apple pie.
In fact almost 85 million U.S. homes, about 67% percent, have a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Dogs and cats were the most popular, with about 63.4 million and 42.7 million owners, respectively. Other pets included fish, birds, other small animals, reptiles, and horses.
Getting a pet, whether a dog or a bird, is an exciting, but life changing decision. You’re basically picking a member of yo...

When someone says a house has “good bones,” what exactly does that mean? And if you’re shopping for a home, how can you determine if the one you like fits the definition? If it doesn’t, should you buy it or walk away?
While there’s no hard-and-fast definition of this realty term, a house with good bones generally has three characteristics:
Major components and systems in like-new or very good condition
Cosmetic flaws are relatively simple, easy or affordable to fix
The home’s “awesomeness pot...

Debt is money that you borrowed and are obligated to repay. Examples of debt include mortgages, student loans, auto loans and credit cards.
Zillow research found that 69% of renters have some type of debt, and a quarter of renters said they were denied a rental agreement or home financing due to their debt level. Debt impacts not only the type of home you can rent or buy but also your timeline for buying, your ability to afford an adequate down payment, and whether you’ll be approved for a mo...

Your future homeowner self will thank you for it.
Home buyers today have access to a wealth of information about the home-buying process before they even begin talking to a real estate agent. Friends and family, social media — everyone has a lot to offer. While much of this guidance can be good or well-meaning, some may be outdated or inappropriate for your situation. With that in mind, here are 13 home-buying myths you should beware of and the corresponding home-buying truths you should know...

Even if you’ve just started thinking about selling your house, making home improvements can be beneficial for many reasons. The hard part isn’t making the list, it’s figuring out how to prioritize so you get the most out of your investment. Should you remodel your kitchen first and then build a new backyard deck? What will create more value—a new master suite or replacing the roof?
Fortunately, there are smart ways to maximize your home's resale value through strategic renovations. Below are ...

If you're a student who's approaching graduation, you’re probably busy wrapping up finals, job hunting, and hopefully enjoying your last couple months of student life before entering the “real world”. Whether you’re attending a trade school or four-year college, in the midst of everything else you may have some concerns about affording life after graduation; from rent to loans and car payments, expenses can add up quickly. Preparing financially for post-grad life means doing your research, pl...

The national average repair cost for washing machines ranges from $50 to $180, depending on labor costs, the brand of washing machine, the problem the technician needs to fix, and the cost of any replacement parts.
A washing machine is a major household appliance. For some families, the washer and dryer may be in near-constant use since—let's be honest—no one loves stinky socks. When your washer isn't working, loads of dirty laundry can pile up fast and have a negative impact on your life.
Wa...