As Hurricane Florence recently reminded us once again, you never know when disaster will strike, changing your life, and potentially destroying your home. That’s why people get homeowners insurance—to be prepared for disasters big and small (and because some mortgage lenders require it). But buying an insurance policy is just the beginning of protecting yourself and your possessions from fire, floor, theft, and more.

Halloween is upon us, and haunted houses are popping up everywhere to provide visitors with thrills, chills, and holiday entertainment. But those who prefer to get their kicks from a more realistic experience may want to visit a supposedly real haunted house instead, complete with dark backstories, dastardly characters, and more. Here are five haunted houses you can visit nationwide.

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the saying holds true for homes. When your house is on the market, you want potential buyers to fall in love at first sight—and that means having major curb appeal. While the house itself is the focus of curb appeal, keep in mind that landscaping is an important factor to consider as well. Thoughtful use of plants can create visual interest and enhance the overall look of your property.

Saving money for a down payment on a house may seem like a monumental task, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking baby steps toward your goal and giving yourself enough time to reach it, you can make the entire process more palatable. And, if you’re not the most motivated person, these five tips and tricks from real estate and financial experts are so easy that even the laziest among you will likely approve. It’s difficult to spend money when you don’t have access to it.

When buying a house these days, homeowners insurance is typically mandatory–even if you don’t think you’ll ever need it. However, the hefty monthly sum you pay for coverage may be more useful than you realize. “It is important to remember that a homeowners insurance policy provides important coverages beyond just the structure of the house,” says Michal Brower, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance.

E. L. James might have had a big hit on her hands with “50 Shades of Grey,” but I have a bone to pick with the bestselling author: There are more like 50 million shades of gray. Don’t believe me? Just trying picking a gray paint color for your home. That was the dilemma facing me when buying our first home two years ago. I wanted to move in as soon as possible, which meant getting the house painted (while empty) ASAP.

They say that your home is your biggest investment–meaning you’re going to sink a good chunk of change into your new abode, both at the outset and over the years. With that kind of money on the table, it’s crucial to save some dollars wherever you can. With that in mind, I picked the brains of three real estate professionals to determine the easiest ways to save money when buying a home.

Moving is expensive enough as it is, so nobody wants to get the bad news that they aren't getting their security deposit back due to a dirty apartment.

Buying a home—especially for the first time—can be an overwhelming and confusing ordeal, and your real estate agent is your guide through that complicated process. So it’s only natural that you look to them for guidance and trust their advice and expertise on matters big and small.

To say I was a bit stressed out while hunting for and purchasing my first home would be a gross understatement. You see, I’m a planner. I like to know what to expect in any given situation, and having to trust our real estate agent to guide us through the whole process—without having a road map detailing each step of that process—made me a nervous wreck. There seemed to be so many moving parts that it made my head spin.

Finding an apartment you absolutely adore and want to stay in is a rare and special thing in the rental market today. But, unfortunately, a renter’s desire to stay put isn’t always enough to make it a reality. “With increasing rents, building conversions (to condominium), building sales, and other reasons, landlords look to get tenants out of properties early,” says Mark Hakim, an attorney with SSRGA in New York City.

Just as you might primp before a first date, it makes sense to glam up your home before introducing it to potential buyers.

The market is flooded with real estate agents looking to get your business. So how do you determine which ones to trust and which to kick to the curb?

When it comes to architecture, there seems to be endless styles to choose from. Have you ever wondered which type is right for you? Interested in your horoscope? Well, what could be more fun than meshing the two? Here, 12 types of homes and their corresponding star match, for millennials’ sake. The free-spirited, unconventional Aquarius would mesh with a Key West-style home.

Before you sign a lease, you need to do your due diligence. Two attorneys with real estate and tenant law experience share their insights about red flags to clear before signing.

From location and lot size to curb appeal and area schools, most people know the most common factors that can affect a home’s property value. However, the list doesn’t quite end there. “Surprisingly, there are many out-of-the-box factors which may not be quite obvious that affect property value either positively or negatively,” says Marlene De Cespedes, director of luxury sales at Douglas Elliman in Miami, Florida.

Looking to purchase your first home? Find out what this popular real estate term really means, and how to pick the best one for your needs.

According to the following four real estate professionals, there are several acceptable interpretations of this phrase.

When the hustle and bustle of big city living gets to be too much, many celebrities—understandably—flock to the suburbs for quieter living. After all, when you own multiple homes, it pays to diversify, right? The following celebs range from singers to actors to athletes but they all share common ground: owning homes in the suburbs (even if a few of them are trying to unload said properties at the moment).

One of the most sought-after features in real estate today is “open concept.” But, like many popular buzzwords, people seem to mean different things when they use it. So we decided to talk with some real estate professionals to break down what open concept really means, how it originated, and why it’s so appealing.

Raise your hand if you have ever felt personally victimized by a McMansion. OK, maybe that’s taking it a little too far, but you have to admit that the proliferation of cookie-cutter houses across the country (and the world) can be a bit of a snore. Luckily, for those who appreciate retro charm, there are some priceless homes on the market today that serve as time capsules of the era in which they were built.

In many ways, living with a roommate is a rite of passage that teaches us about compromise, companionship, and responsibility. But, for many, it can also be a nightmare: From unpaid bills to illicit behaviors, a number of bad things can pop up when you live with a complete stranger, or even a friend, without doing your due diligence. However, avoiding these circumstances can be as easy as having a brief, honest conversation.

House hunters and ghost hunters alike will be thrilled (and chilled) to hear that Villa Paula — dubbed Miami’s most haunted home by the Biscayne Times — is now on the market. Listed by ONE Sotheby’s International Realty for $4.5 million, the 2,552-square-foot venue was built as a Cuban consulate in 1926 solely using materials imported from Cuba. Havana architect C.

If you’ve ever rented before, you know that all landlords are not created equal. While some do the absolute minimum to get your monthly rent check, others do an incredible job at maintaining clean buildings and keeping their tenants’ best interests in mind. Recently, Brick Underground released a list of these amazing landlords. It got me thinking: Who better than a great landlord to give maintenance tips?

While you’re in the process of house hunting, all you want to do is find a keeper, get the keys and settle into your new life. But it pays to think long-term when buying a home because you’re probably going to be selling it sometime in the future, and you want to get a good return on your investment. So, keeping certain factors in mind when purchasing a home is key to ensure that it has good resale value. Here, six things you should think about, according to professionals.

You hunted until your feet were sore, found your dream home and made an offer that was accepted. Time to exhale, right? Not quite. “The first rule of real estate: All contracts must be in writing to be binding,” says David Rosen, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman in New York City. That means until you actually have a signed contract, your accepted offer is just a good faith agreement. But it all works out, right?