REALTOR.com® Blogs

Home Sales Rise to New High
Existing home sales rose over ten percent in the month of October, reports the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Before the $8000 tax credit for first-time buyers had been extended, homebuyers who wanted to guarantee receipt of the tax credit, rushed to close on a new home before the November 1st deadline. The rush of first-time buyers combined [...]

How to Prepare for Black Friday
  Black Friday is the day for the best deals in consumer electronics. Tech-crazed shoppers are scouring the web for the best places to find low prices, and they are readying themselves for one day of intense first-come first-serve shopping. Many will stand in line for hours just to be the first to get through the [...]

Happy Thanksgiving!
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-2/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-2/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" } REALTORS® from across the country are blogging about Thanksgiving: Sharon Bruner from Charleston shares what she is thankful for: “I have much to be thankful for ? from my buyer and seller clients to my fellow real estate agents that are always willing to help each [...]

Bathroom Remodel: Ask A REALTOR®
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/25/bathroom-remodel-ask-a-realtor%c2%ae-2/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/25/bathroom-remodel-ask-a-realtor%c2%ae-2/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" } My husband and I have a two-story home with two full baths. The second floor bath has a separate tub and shower, and we will be remodeling the first floor bathroom. We are considering removing the tub and replacing it with a shower. If we change this [...]

Moving-up While Selling Your Home
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/25/moving-up-while-selling-your-home/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/25/moving-up-while-selling-your-home/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" } In most markets, factors like price declines and high inventories have given buyers the upper hand. Now that the tax credit has been expanded to move-up buyers, there are even more buyers competing for desirable properties. First-time buyers can take their time finding the right home, [...]

Home Buying This Holiday Season
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/24/5755/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/24/5755/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" }             All of us remember the holiday commercial with the luxury vehicle wraped in a big red bow and parked on a snow covered driveway. In the commercial, the recipient of the vehicle looks like they’ve recieved the perfect gift. While it may be a little harder to fit [...]

Finding a Renter: Ask a REALTOR®
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/24/finding-a-renter-ask-a-realtor%c2%ae/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/24/finding-a-renter-ask-a-realtor%c2%ae/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" }       How can i go about finding a reputable renter for my home? -Kate   If you have a Realtor represent you with the marketing of your rental property, then they will secure an application along with items such as rental history, credit report, financials, work history and income. [...]

New Features for Windows 7
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/24/new-features-for-windows-7/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/24/new-features-for-windows-7/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" } Technology has become such an integral part of  the real estate world that many REALTORS® wonder how they managed their business without it. As new technology comes out, Realtors look to these new programs to help streamline their business and keep them productive. One of [...]

History of the Wishbone
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/23/history-of-the-wishbone/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/23/history-of-the-wishbone/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" } There is a saying that three things are needed to be successful in life: a jawbone, a backbone, and a wishbone. The first we are born with, the second some of us will develop (figuratively), and the latter symbolizes hope.  Therefore, as we head into Thanksgiving, [...]

Looking for a REALTOR®: Ask a REALTOR®
tweetmeme_url = "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/23/looking-for-a-realtor%c2%ae-ask-a-realtor%c2%ae/"; tweetmeme_source = "tweetmeme"; var fbShare = { url: "http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2009/11/23/looking-for-a-realtor%c2%ae-ask-a-realtor%c2%ae/", size: "large", google_analytics: "true" }  When looking to buy or sell real estate, what should you look for in finding a REALTOR®?     The most important thing to me is referrals. Most Realtors live off of referrals. Friends, family, past clients – that?s how they keep getting business referrals. They do not [...]