When it comes to unusual things you might disclose when selling a house, there are three possible responses from potential buyers. Some people won’t care; for others it will be a deal breaker; and a third group will think it’s cool. This is true for pink tile in the retro bathroom or the circa 1970s wet bar in the wood paneled basement. It’s also true for a house with a dark past or one with… dare we say it? Ghosts.

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If you’re a smoker trying to sell your home, or you’re selling a home for a family member who smokes, you likely have some work to do before putting the house on the market. The strong smell of cigarette smoke gets into walls and carpet. It turns buyers off and can even lower the value of the home. In order to sell for a decent price, it pays to learn how to get rid of the smell of tobacco. 

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There comes a time in life when everyone has to consider their living situation: Do you continue to rent, or do you take the plunge and buy a house? Or more precisely, when should you buy a house versus rent?

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Sometimes sellers need to get rid of a home quickly, and don’t have a lot of time—or a lot of money—to make it look great. It could be that they are in a time crunch to move into their next home, or they are selling a parent’s house. While big upgrades and repairs aren’t always necessary to attract buyers, a clean home is important. 

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When it comes to life’s milestones, buying your first home is right up there with getting married, having a child, or starting a new career. It’s an exciting time that often comes with a large dose of stress and anxiety. As a first-time buyer, it’s easy to start second-guessing yourself, wondering if you’re making the right decisions. 

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If you’ve ever thought “Maybe I should sell my house to a family member,” you’ve likely also wondered whether or not it’s a good idea. The sale of a home to a family member is possible, legal, and can be very easy for everyone involved.

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When some homeowners begin to think about selling, they anticipate making a nice profit with plenty to put down on their next home — particularly in today’s seller’s market. However, many sellers don’t realize that there are hidden fees when selling a house and that those fees are deducted from the purchase price. 

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As the weather heats up, so does the housing market. That’s because buying a house in summer comes with advantages like great weather for moving, and kids being out of school. 

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Are you faced with a change that requires you to move right away? Whether it’s due to a new job, a family emergency, or you’re looking to switch districts before the next school year begins, selling a house quickly doesn’t have to be as stressful as you think. Working with the right agent can ensure you get a good price for your home without having it sit for very long.  

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Most of us have watched HGTV shows where a couple has a certain budget for buying a house. They look at three houses that fit within that budget and choose the one they like best. While programs like this are considered reality TV, the budget that the buyers have is often not realistic. Sometimes they say they have $200,000 to buy a house plus another $100,000 for renovations, when in reality the producers are picking up part of the rehab bill. Or, the buyers on TV have millions to spend on a home on the West Coast — which is just not possible for the average viewer. Not only that, it’s a much different housing market here in the Midwest, where a modest budget can go much further. 

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