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Virtual steps in home buying can save time, but learn how to get the whole picture.

 

The COVID pandemic hasn’t stopped people from buying houses. But it has changed how buyers view homes, with technology sometimes replacing the in-person experience.

To help keep everyone safer and comply with state and local guidance, agents are using virtual home showings, virtual home tours, and virtual staging instead of or along with open houses, in-person showings, and traditional staging. That means you can buy a home without setting foot inside it. But it also means you need to understand what you’re seeing – and not seeing. And you need to know what questions to ask.  

Here’s a look at the virtual options and some of the pluses and minuses of each.............

Before you power up a central air upgrade, explore the costs.

If you’ve been living a life of fans and window units, you know how a brutal summer can have you begging for central air. But for many homeowners with older homes, flipping a house to central AC seems like a huge and costly undertaking.  

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But if your AC is 10 or more years old, the benefits of upgrading it can make up for the cost. A newer, more efficient model can ramp up your comfort and clean air, as well as improve your home energy efficiency by cutting down your cooling costs by up to 40%.  

If you’re a homeowner on the fence about whether central air installation makes sense for your home, the following tips will help you make a decision. Find out how to choose and budget for the right HVAC ....

Interest rates are only one factor when it comes to buying a house now.

Interest rates sure do get a lot of attention. But they shouldn’t be the only part of your home buying decision-making process. After all, the answer to the question “is right now a good time to buy a house” boils down to whether the time is right for you: To start your new chapter. To invest in what makes you happy. Interest rates don’t negate the benefits of buying a home. Unlike that other big-ticket purchase — a car — home value doesn’t take a nose dive once you get the keys. Quite the opposite.
 

Is Owning a Home a Good Investment?

Let’s dig into the advantages of buying a house.

Benefit #1: Long-term Financial Growth

When it comes to long-term, stable financial growth, real estate is your ace in the hole. If you bought a home 30 years ago for the ............