First Time Home Buyer Tips

Buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming, but these tips on doing so make the process a lot more simple.
Aerial view of a suburban cul-de-sac with houses, driveways, and parked cars, surrounded by green lawns and trees.
The Reasons to Love Living on a Cul-de-Sac Are the Same Reasons to Hate ItReal Estate
Here are the pros and cons.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Jul 28, 2023
I Used a Professional Hypnotist to Help Me with Homebuying StressReal Estate
Here’s how it went.
Megan Johnson
Jul 18, 2023
Never Break These 5 Etiquette Rules While House-Hunting
REAL ESTATE
According to a pro.
Dana McMahan
Jul 18, 2023
The Unexpected Thing You’re Forgetting to Check for at Open Houses
REAL ESTATE
Stop and listen for a moment.
Kelli Finger
Jul 14, 2023
Why You Might Want to Try "Town Hunting" Instead of House Hunting
REAL ESTATE
Here’s exactly how to do it.
Quincy Bulin
Jul 14, 2023
6 “Beige Flags” You'll See at an Open House, According to Real Estate AgentsReal Estate
They’ll give you pause, but they’re harmless.
Brittany Anas
Jul 12, 2023
5 Things I’ll Never Regret Buying for My First HouseReal Estate
And the one housewarming present I’ll buy for myself the next time I move.
Lauren Wellbank
Jul 11, 2023
Follow These 3 Rules If You Want to Buy Property with SiblingsReal Estate
For starters, the first-born doesn't always know best!
Kristin Marguerite Doidge
Jun 23, 2023
My Dad’s Critical Piece of Real Estate Advice for Homebuyers with KidsReal Estate
He speaks from experience.
Sarah Magnuson
Jun 18, 2023
5 Things That Immediately Give Home Inspectors “the Ick”Real Estate
According to a TikTok-famous professional.
Brittany Anas
Jun 15, 2023
I’m a Realtor — Here's What I Wish Buyers Would Inspect More CloselyReal Estate
To help avoid buyer’s remorse.
Mary MacGregor
Jun 14, 2023
The Open-House Faux Pas Real Estate Experts Urge You Not to MakeReal Estate
Not using the bathroom is a given.
Megan Johnson
Jun 12, 2023
5 Dollar-Tree Finds Every First-Time Homeowner NeedsReal Estate
Dollar Tree to the rescue.
Jennifer Billock
Jun 7, 2023
7 Kinds of Flowers Homebuyers Love Seeing in Front YardsReal Estate
According to real estate pros.
Heather Bien
Jun 3, 2023
The Glaring Red Flag That Signals a House Was Hurriedly FlippedReal Estate
Here are three reasons to pause before putting in an offer.
Heather Bien
Jun 1, 2023
What You Might Not Realize About Buying the Newest House on the BlockReal Estate
People often equate “new” with “best.”
Barbara Bellesi Zito
May 19, 2023
Why Real Estate Agents Want You to Watch Out for "Emotional Taxes"Real Estate
They can pop up during the homebuying process.
Brittany Anas
May 16, 2023
8 Things Nobody Tells You About Buying a House with a Big YardReal Estate
Yard work is your gym membership now.
Candace Nelson
May 2, 2023
5 Things to Do If You Want to Buy Your Rental from Your LandlordReal Estate
Here's how to make it happen.
Caroline Biggs
Apr 21, 2023
4 Questions Home Stagers Are Tired of Hearing from BuyersReal Estate
They wish you wouldn’t ask them while house-hunting.
Lauren Wellbank
Apr 17, 2023
You Should Meet with a Mortgage Lender Now — Even If You’re Not Ready to Buy a HouseReal Estate
Experts say to do it as soon as possible.
Sarah Kuta
Apr 14, 2023
3 Outdated Pieces of Homebuying Advice from 2020 to Ditch This SpringReal Estate
A lot has changed in the last few years.
Terri Huggins
Apr 11, 2023
5 Oft-Forgotten Homebuying Tasks Real Estates Agents Say You Need to PrioritizeReal Estate
Rookies tend to overlook these to-do list items.
Brittany Anas
Apr 10, 2023
The 5 Most Important Things to Know If You Want to Buy a House This SpringReal Estate
Buyers might have a fighting chance, according to real estate experts.
Sarah Kuta
Apr 8, 2023
I Couldn’t Decide What Color to Paint My House — So a Color Concierge Helped MeReal Estate
Here’s what I didn’t realize about exterior paint jobs.
Ashley Abramson
Apr 7, 2023
6 Questions You're Going to Wish You Asked Before Buying Your House
REAL ESTATE
Bring these up before saying yes to a new address.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Apr 5, 2023
4 Trends You're Going to See in Every Real Estate Listing Photo This YearReal Estate
Keep an eye out for these while Zillow scrolling.
Jennifer Billock
Apr 5, 2023
We Asked 8 Real Estate Pros About Their Favorite Style of Area RugReal Estate
Here’s what they said.
Josephine Nesbit
Apr 4, 2023
6 Unexpected Lessons Our Home Director Learned While Buying Her First HouseReal Estate
This insight will help you navigate your purchase and maybe save a little cash, too.
Danielle Blundell
Apr 1, 2023
I Keep Seeing “Twin Home” Real Estate Listings. But What Actually Are They?
REAL ESTATE
Hint: They’re not duplexes.
Steph Mickelson
Mar 29, 2023
Cash-Strapped Buyers Are Investing in “Second Homes” FirstReal Estate
Here are 5 things to know before you try it.
Brittany Anas
Mar 28, 2023
My New Neighbor Is My 85-Year-Old Grandmother — And It's the Best
REAL ESTATE
I was worried about both of our boundaries at first, but now we’ve developed a routine.
Caroline Eubanks
Mar 27, 2023
How to Remove Listing Photos of Your Home from the InternetReal Estate
There’s a reason why homeowners want these taken down after closing.
Lauren Wellbank
Mar 26, 2023
Homes with the Same Square Footage Can Appear to Be Wildly Different SizesReal Estate
A 900-square-foot studio and a 1,000-square-foot house aren’t too different on paper, but they are in person.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Mar 25, 2023
5 Things That Immediately Give Real Estate Agents “The Ick”Real Estate
No one is immune to the ick.
Brittany Anas
Mar 21, 2023
3 Telltale Signs the House You're Buying Has Hard Water IssuesReal Estate
You don't even have to take a test shower at the open house.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Mar 15, 2023
5 Kitchen Island Trends on Their Way Out, According to Real Estate ExpertsReal Estate
Here’s what to steer clear of.
Jennifer Billock
Mar 12, 2023
What Is the MLS, Anyway? Real Estate Agents ExplainReal Estate
Here’s what to know.
Jennifer Prince
Mar 11, 2023
The New Dilemma Facing Home Sellers Isn’t a Financial Question—It’s a Moral OneReal Estate
As if the housing market wasn’t stressful enough.
Brittany Anas
Mar 9, 2023
I Don't Plan on Buying a House Soon, But I Still Go to Open Houses — Here's WhyReal Estate
My fiancé and I always debrief and power-rank our favorite listings.
Kelsey Mulvey
Mar 8, 2023
The Timeless Details Real Estate Agents Always Recommend You Add to Your HomeReal Estate
Especially if it's time to sell.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Mar 5, 2023
The Huge Mistake I Made While Trying to Prevent My Pipes from BurstingReal Estate
Here's how you can avoid it.
Heather Bien
Mar 4, 2023
These 4 People Bought Their Homes for Below Listing PriceReal Estate
Here's how they did it.
Heather Bien
Mar 3, 2023
The Genius Ways Real Estate Agents Hide Cords and Wires Before a ShowingReal Estate
Ever consider weaving them through baskets?
Laura Ratliff
Mar 2, 2023
These Are Real Estate Agents’ Secrets for a Nice-Smelling HomeReal Estate
That aren't cookies or candles.
Megan Johnson
Mar 1, 2023
Here's What To Do If You Simply Cannot Look at Another House for SaleReal Estate
Homebuyer fatigue is very real.
Sarah Kuta
Feb 27, 2023
I Had the Buyers of My House Over for Dinner — And It Was EmotionalReal Estate
People were surprised I invited them.
Shifrah Combiths
Feb 21, 2023
Here's a Surefire Way to Kill the Vibes While Selling a HouseReal Estate
According to a home inspector.
Sarah Kuta
Feb 19, 2023
These Are the Bedroom Upgrades You Shouldn’t Spend Too Much Money On
According to real estate pros.
Lauren Wellbank
Feb 17, 2023
The Single Best Piece of Advice I’ve Ever Gotten from a Real Estate Agent
It's so simple.
Brittany Anas
Feb 14, 2023
7 Outdated Entryway Features That Homebuyers Always Notice
They're ready for a refresh.
Nichole Talbot
Feb 13, 2023
The Stairway Mistakes Real Estate Agents Wish You Wouldn't Make
They're no-nos.
Lauren Wellbank
Feb 12, 2023
The Important Reason You Should Always Check Which Way a Driveway Faces
Pay attention on your next home tour.
Sarah Kuta
Feb 7, 2023
The Curb Appeal No-Nos That Instantly Date Your Home
There are a few things to avoid, according to real estate pros.
Jennifer Billock
Feb 7, 2023
6 Fireplace Features That Are Instant Buyer Turnoffs
According to real estate pros.
Nichole Talbot
Feb 6, 2023
The 4 Most Popular Trends in Hardwood Flooring Right Now
According to real estate agents.
Heather Bien
Feb 1, 2023
The Kinds of Sinks Real Estate Agents Wish You Wouldn't Install
They're no-nos.
Lauren Wellbank
Feb 1, 2023
There Are 2 Very Good Reasons for Doing Closing Paperwork in Person
You might not want to achieve this milestone virtually.
Heather Bien
Jan 29, 2023
4 Questions Real Estate Agents Wish You Wouldn't Ask While House Hunting
Your agent probably sighs internally when you ask these questions.
Lauren Wellbank
Jan 27, 2023
This Is the Biggest Thing Your Neighbors Judge You For
Here's how a real estate agent says to fix it.
Ashley Abramson
Jan 22, 2023
We Asked 9 Real Estate Agents What They Think of Doorbell Cameras
Here's what they said.
Lauren Wellbank
Jan 22, 2023
4 Things First-Time Homebuyers Should Know About Filing Taxes in 2023
Buying a home can change your tax situation.
Brittany Anas
Jan 17, 2023
Why Google Street View Matters When You Sell Your Home
Here's what to know.
Lauren Wellbank
Jan 10, 2023
The Oft-Forgotten Chore a Real Estate Agent Says You Need to Prioritize
It's extremely important.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Jan 4, 2023
This Is Best Time to Move in 2023, According to Real Estate Pros
Real Estate
Their opinions should give you a game plan if you’re thinking that the new year will also include a fresh address
Kristin Marguerite Doidge
Jan 1, 2023
The 5 Most Important Lessons These Homebuyers Learned in 2022
For starters? Don't do a remote inspection.
Heather Bien
Dec 31, 2022
3 Things You Should Never Try to Paint, According to a Real Estate Agent
Here's why.
Brittany Anas
Dec 20, 2022
The One Kitchen Upgrade You Should Never Do Before Selling
According to real estate agents.
Brittany Anas
Dec 14, 2022
3 Things a Landlord Wishes Other Landlords Would Do
No helicopter property owners here.
Sofia Rivera
Dec 13, 2022
I Asked an HGTV Host for Her Best Real Estate Advice — Here’s What She Said
Egypt Sherrod has a nugget of wisdom for all of us.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Dec 12, 2022
3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a House Built Between 2020 and 2022
Here's what to know.
Sarah Kuta
Dec 10, 2022
I Regret Ignoring My Mom’s Advice After Buying My First House
Here's why.
Sarah Magnuson
Dec 9, 2022