Blog

I had my dream job—and I quit. My friends thought I was insane. I had worked incredibly hard to land the opportunity to anchor two national newscasts at CBS News. Every morning, more than 1 million people tuned in for their daily dose of current events from me, Michelle Gielan. But the content was so negative,Read more

Do you know what earnest money is and how it can affect your home purchase? When you’ve found that perfect home and are ready to make an offer, there’s a surefire way to let the seller know you mean business — make sure you include an earnest money deposit. But what is earnest money? Earnest money isRead more

You are having a great day — productive yet carefree, until you open your desk drawer to put something away and glimpse what appears to be a nest of black snakes interwoven with flecks of silver. The snakes morph before your eyes into a Medusa’s head of abandoned computer cords that threatens to turn you into stoneRead more

Protect your credit score by reviewing it for mistakes, so you’ll be ready to start the home buying process when you find a place you love. Experts Answer Your Top Questions About Buying a Home With Bad Credit Your credit score is one of the crucial determining factors in whether you can qualify for a mortgage. “The higherRead more

Two – five percent of your loan go to closing costs. Find out what you’re paying for on closing day. Expect property taxes, homeowners insurance, and lender’s costs to be part of your settlement-day tab. With your house-hunting and lender searches now in the rearview mirror, you can start steering your way around the finalRead more

Whether you’ve lived in your home for a day or a decade, buckle up — homeownership can be a wild ride. You may live in your home for two years, or you may hunker down for two decades. But no matter how long you call it yours, you’ll likely experience these four key stages ofRead more

When it Comes to Explaining Low Inventory Some Theories Are Better Than Others Everyone agrees the U.S. housing market is being squeezed by low inventory. What they don’t agree on is why. As home inventory sits near post-recession lows, there are many hypotheses on why there are so few homes for sale today. Here areRead more

This professional surfer shares how he’s used fear to push himself. Image credit: Mark Kolbe | Getty Images Not everyone would choose this path. But when Mark Mathews was a kid, he was terrified of the ocean. However, professional surfing was the lifestyle and career that was calling to him. So he faced his fear, dove inRead more

Getting in the right financial mindset is crucial. Saving can feel overwhelming, but small moves add up quickly. You can do it! 7 simple steps to help you save for a house in just twelve months. Want to buy a home but don’t have a pile of cash in the bank? You’re not alone. Trulia’s research tellRead more

See the stars in your own backyard … on your DIY big screen, that is. In the height of summer your backyard or porch is headquarters for family time and date night alike. Combine both and cue up a movie on your DIY movie screen for a staycation highlight or fun gathering with the neighbors. A bedsheet orRead more