The idea behind not using a real estate agent in the purchase and sale of a home is a simple one, to save yourself some money.

By Andrea Swiedler. Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties Licensed in Connecticut

I get that.  Buyers think they will save money on the price of the home, sellers will save at least half the commission amount. (Many do offer a commission to a buyer's agent.)

FSBO AND THE UNREPRESENTED BUYER, THE PERFECT STORM!

Now we are talking! Part of my job as a real estate agent is to know what my seller is selling, and what my buyer is buying. This includes data from the town hall such as property taxes, building department information, health department information and more. I make sure

An assumable mortgage is, simply put, one that the lender will allow another borrower to take over or “assume” without changing any of the terms of the mortgage.

For example, say you purchased a property for $200,000 with a mortgage of $150,000 and $50,000 of your own money. If part way through the mortgage term you decide you’d like to sell the home, you would have the option of essentially selling the mortgage as well. The person who buys the home from you could take over the balance of the mortgage and the associated payments and give you cash for the remainder of the value of the home. So, if your mortgage balance is now $140,000 and the home is now valued at $210,000, a buyer who is assuming the mortgage would need to pay you, the seller,

Is being a real estate investor and being a landlord the same thing?

Or are they two completely different roles? Knowing the distinctions is incredibly important and can make all the difference in getting what you really want out of real estate.

We are all more than aware of the need to invest. Owning rental properties is a way to invest in real estate and build wealth. But becoming a hands-on landlord can be distinctly different than pure investing for a number of very important reasons.

Being a hands-on landlord can be great. It can be therapeutic, rewarding, and a major upgrade from many people’s last job. Just make sure you know the difference BEFORE you get in. As we know, it’s always easy to get in than out.

A Mindset Difference

Never forget the simple rule that cost does not equal value with home improvements.

In fact, this may be the single most difficult point for both home sellers and home buyers to understand. It resonates not only with real estate but with everything from a bottle of wine to cars to clothes. Everyone has a different definition of “value” and what they are willing to pay for it.

Home sellers often have a biased view of what they’re home might bring if offered for sale. When these opinions are expressed, “upgrades” are almost always referenced. “I upgraded the carpet, the fixtures, the HVAC, the faucets….” is a consistent refrain. But how much of that “upgraded” item is recovered? Paying an extra $10,000 for “upgraded” roof shingles or $5,000 for a high

A buyer’s agent represents you, the buyer, not the seller.

For most of us, buying a home is the biggest single investment we’re likely to make – we are only likely to do it maybe once or twice in a lifetime. The process is, by nature, filled with checks and balances – and many complex details. Traditionally, agents were legally obligated to protect the interests of the home seller. Today preferences are changing. One of these changes is that more homebuyers are choosing to have their own real estate agent, known as a buyer's agent, to legally represent them

A buyer’s agent represents you, the buyer, not the seller, and has full fiduciary duties, including loyalty to you. By definition, the buyer’s agent has your best interests in mind throughout the

If it makes you feel any better people often don't really know the difference between a listing agent and a selling agent, either.

Why should they? Why should anybody know except those of us in the real estate business? At least you'll know which agent does what in a deal and you will sound far more intelligent about the crazy business of real estate, that's why. Plus, you'll know what to call the respective agents in a transaction, and that piece of knowledge should provide you with a bit of confidence as you finagle your way to buying or selling a home.

The Listing Agent

Listing agents come in all flavors, sizes and shape. A listing agent typically represents the seller. There are a few instances in which a listing agent might accept a flat

Home-Buying for Beginners: 8 Red Flags When House-Hunting

It’s easy to get drawn into a property based on its aesthetics. After all, granite countertops, fresh paint and new carpets all make a good first impression; they also could cause you to overlook some serious sins that might make you regret purchasing the home. Keep an eye out for these red flags when searching for a new home, as they could indicate something’s awry.

1. Plenty of ‘For Sale’ Signs
Take a look around the neighborhood. Do you see a lot of other “For Sale” signs? If it’s in an urban area, does it look like area businesses are thriving or at they closed in the middle of the day? If no one else wants to live on the street, chances are you might not want to either.

At the same

There are few things more exciting than buying a house with your significant other.

It shows that your relationship is strong and that you’re ready to take the next step. However, the homebuying process can be stressful, which means it can be quite a strain on a relationship if you’re not careful. Here are seven tips that will hopefully make buying a home with your partner a process that’s as stress-free as possible:

1. Get on the same page

Deciding that you want to own a home together is not the same as being on the same page. You need to sit down with your partner and figure out, then discuss, exactly what they want in a house. One of you may want to live in an urban area while the other may prefer the suburbs. Your partner may like the

Millions of immigrants come to Canada and quickly discover that getting established financially isn’t easy

Overview

Last year, Canada welcomed more than half a million newcomers to our country as immigrants, international students and temporary foreign workers. The number one source for new permanent residents is now the Philippines, followed by India, China, the U.K. and the States. Canada may be the best country in the world to live in, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get established. People come to Canada dreaming of obtaining greater financial security and opportunities for themselves and their families, but they often spend years struggling to build up credit, find a decent job and grow their wealth.

In the pages that follow, we

Quintessentially Canadian Cottage-Life: Royal LePage finds foreign buyers account for few recreational property transactions

Retirement-bound boomers seek peaceful retreats

Toronto, ON, June 23, 2016 – Generation X buyers of cottages, cabins and chalets across Canada outnumber Baby Boomers by almost two to one, according to the Royal LePage 2016 Canadian Recreational Housing Report released today. Still, planning for retirement living is among the most common reasons potential buyers give for the purchase of a recreational property.  The annual report compiles information from a cross-Canada survey of real estate advisors who specialize in recreational property sales.

The survey found that 65 per cent of advisors polled indicated that