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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.

First Time Home Buyers
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The Unexpected Reason Why Peeling Paint Could Derail Your Home Purchase
A real estate agent on TikTok explains.
Sarah Kuta
Feb 7, 2022
I Bought a House with My Best Friend — Here’s How We Did It
A lot of people our age are pooling their funds.
Eve Ettinger
Feb 6, 2022
4 Places to Buy Geodesic Dome House Kits
They're affordable *and* sustainable.
Sarah Magnuson
Feb 5, 2022
8 Projects Real Estate Experts Wish House Flippers Would Stop Doing
Please, for the sake of old houses, stop.
Heather Bien
Feb 3, 2022
This Is the Best Color to Paint a Ranch House, According to Real Estate Pros
Take a wild guess.
Sarah Magnuson
Feb 1, 2022
I Live in a Mobile Home — And It’s Great
Here are the pros and cons of mobile home life.
Steph Mickelson
Jan 26, 2022
The One Thing You Should Always Do If You’re Selling Your Home in the Winter
You may not have thought of it.
Ellen Ryan
Jan 26, 2022
5 Confusing Parts of Your Home Inspection, Decoded by a Pro
You don't have to be spooked by your inspection report.
Sarah Kuta
Jan 24, 2022
The Newest Homebuying Hurdle Millennials Need to Clear? Boomers
Here's why.
Sarah Kuta
Jan 23, 2022
7 Little Ways to Ease Homebuying Stress This Winter
According to experts.
Erin Flynn Jay
Jan 20, 2022
The Part of a Real Estate Listing You’re Not Looking at But Should
It's a surefire way to help you assess a home's value.
Brittany Anas
Jan 18, 2022
The Curb Appeal Choice That Real Estate Agents Say to Steer Clear Of
As it turns out, this choice in driveway isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Lauren Wellbank
Jan 16, 2022
6 Things You Should Actually Care About When It Comes to Heating Systems
According to an expert.
Ashley Abramson
Jan 14, 2022
Here’s What Real Estate Agents Across the U.S. Want You to Know This Year
They have intel for buyers in urban and rural markets.
Steph Mickelson
Jan 14, 2022
These 8 Trends Will Dominate Real Estate in 2022
Here's how to make sense of them.
Brittany Anas
Jan 11, 2022
3 Low-Cost, High-Impact Ways Real Estate Agents Revamp a Space
Here are their top tips for zhuzhing up a home on a budget.
Sofia Rivera
Jan 10, 2022
5 Things You Should Never Say When Viewing a House for Sale
Loose lips sink sales.
Brenda Richardson
Jan 9, 2022
4 Easy Ways to Declutter Ahead of a House Showing, According to Experts
Home stagers know how to stash away stuff.
Jennifer Billock
Jan 9, 2022
10 Things Real Estate Agents Want to See More of in 2022
More inventory is high on their wish lists.
Brittany Anas
Jan 8, 2022
The 11 Accessories That Make a Place Feel Like Home
According to real estate agents.
Heather Bien
Jan 7, 2022
4 Things a Real Estate Attorney Wants You To Know About Buying a House
Once you pass the Zillow search stage and start getting serious about an offer.
Sarah Magnuson
Jan 7, 2022
This Is the One Question Every Plant Person Needs to Ask Before Moving
It's important.
Steph Mickelson
Jan 6, 2022
The 6 Accessories You Should Never Buy for Your Yard
According to real estate pros.
Heather Bien
Jan 5, 2022
5 Things You Should Get Rid of in 2022, According to Real Estate Agents
These items, ideas, and mindsets just won’t serve you well.
Sarah Kuta
Jan 5, 2022
The Absolute Cheapest State to Buy A House Is...
The Midwest is calling.
Jennifer Billock
Jan 4, 2022
These Were the 5 Most Popular Real Estate Stories on Apartment Therapy This Year
Have you read them all?
Madeline Bilis
Dec 17, 2021
12 Apartment Therapy Editors Share the Best Real Estate Advice They’ve Gotten
Need a hand during your home search? We've got you.
Madeline Bilis
Dec 16, 2021
Why It’s Awesome to Live on a Dead-End Street — And Why It’s Not
Here are the pros and cons.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Dec 15, 2021
These Are the 5 Most Interesting Tips We Heard from Real Estate Agents in 2021
One involves a golf ball.
Jennifer Billock
Dec 13, 2021
The Resolutions You Should Be Making If You Want to Buy Your First Home in 2022
According to experts.
Lauren Wellbank
Dec 13, 2021
This Once-Popular Real Estate Trend Practically Disappeared in 2021
Tool belts are getting a break.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Dec 12, 2021
6 Log Cabin Kits You Can Buy for Under $55K
There’s definitely an option for every type of forest sprite.
Sarah Magnuson
Dec 10, 2021
4 People Who Bought Houses This Year Share Their Horror Stories
And happy endings.
Zakiya Kassam
Dec 9, 2021
Why Real Estate Agents Will Always Tell You to Buy These 6 Items
They’re critical to keep your home functioning smoothly and safely.
Heather Bien
Dec 8, 2021
The 3 Bidding War Strategies That Can Help You Buy a Home in 2022
According to real estate agents.
Brittany Anas
Dec 8, 2021
5 Real Estate Trends We’d Really Like to Leave in 2021
Here's hoping they fizzle out by next year.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Dec 7, 2021
To All the Houses I Loved Before
These real estate listings gifted me a brief getaway from the stressors of 2021.
Madeline Bilis
Dec 7, 2021
Thinking of Building a House Instead of Buying One? Here’s What You Need to Know
It's going to be tricky.
Sarah Kuta
Dec 4, 2021
The One Thing Real Estate Agents Dread Seeing in Your Home in the Winter
And it's not road salt.
Zakiya Kassam
Dec 4, 2021
This Is the Shortest-Lived Real Estate Trend of 2021
The market may be hot but escalation clauses are not.
Lauren Wellbank
Dec 1, 2021
Living on a One-Way Street vs. Two-Way Street: Which Is Better?
Here are some factors to consider.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Nov 29, 2021
4 Smart Tips for Creating a Home Maintenance Log You’ll Actually Use
According to real estate agents.
Sarah Kuta
Nov 23, 2021
The One Smart Home Feature That Real Estate Agents Say Isn't Worth the Money
It won’t help your house sell faster.
Sofia Rivera
Nov 22, 2021
5 Pieces of Outdated Homebuying Advice That Your Parents Might Give You
They mean well.
Brittany Anas
Nov 17, 2021
6 Common Questions About Buying Your First House, Answered
You were probably wondering about these.
Brittany Anas
Nov 12, 2021
Why Real Estate Agents Say This Winter Will Be a Tough Time for Homebuying
If you're hoping for a deal, don't hold your breath.
Sarah Kuta
Nov 11, 2021
10 Things You Should Always Keep in Your Garage, According to Real Estate Pros
They'll be worth it in a pinch.
Heather Bien
Nov 9, 2021
So You Want to Buy Your Parents' House? Here Are 4 Things to Consider
Real estate agents weigh in.
Sarah Kuta
Nov 9, 2021
9 Common Issues You Need to Watch Out for in Homes from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s
Buyers beware.
Candace Ramirez
Nov 8, 2021
3 Things Real Estate Agents Always Say About Craftsman Homes
They're beautiful, but they come with some caveats.
Jennifer Billock
Nov 7, 2021
What the Heck Is a Home Warranty, Anyway?
This policy might help you avoid having to shell out for unexpected repairs.
Lauren Wellbank
Nov 6, 2021
This Home Addition Will Help You Sell Your Home for 35 Percent Higher
It continues to soar in popularity.
Brittany Anas
Nov 3, 2021
The Accessory That Will Always Make Your Entryway Pop
According to a real estate agent.
Grace Cassidy
Nov 2, 2021
The Smart Reason Why You Should Bring a Golf Ball to Your Next Open House
Put one in your pocket before hitting the house tour circuit.
Lauren Wellbank
Nov 2, 2021
The 3 Things Real Estate Agents Say You'll Regret in 5 Years
It might behoove you to stay away.
Jennifer Billock
Nov 1, 2021
The 4 Best Colors to Paint Your Shutters, According to Real Estate Agents
You've got options.
Sarah Magnuson
Nov 1, 2021
There's One Zillow Setting You Need to Change for a More Realistic Home Search
You've been scrolling wrong this whole time.
Sarah Kuta
Oct 27, 2021
So, Uh, Will the Price of Houses Ever Come Down?
There's good news on the horizon.
Sarah Kuta
Oct 25, 2021
The Super Popular Homebuying Trend That Will Stick Long After the Pandemic
The dog house? It’s actually quite nice these days.
Brittany Anas
Oct 24, 2021
4 Real Estate Agent-Approved Tips for Setting Your Home’s Listing Price
Here's what to consider.
Sarah Magnuson
Oct 23, 2021
Your Rental History Can Now Help You Qualify for a Home Loan
Changes at Fannie Mae mean a history of on-time rental payments may make it easier to buy a house.
Lauren Wellbank
Oct 22, 2021
5 Unsafe Design Trends Home Inspectors Wish You’d Stop Doing
Most of them wouldn't pass muster during an inspection.
Brittany Anas
Oct 20, 2021
Use These Checklists for Buying a House in 3 Years, 1 Year, Or 3 Months
Here are some steps to take to gain solid financial footing.
Brittany Anas
Oct 19, 2021
These 5 Apartment Therapy Articles Got Me Through Buying and Selling a Condo
Take it from me, a writer who has lived through it IRL.
Sarah Magnuson
Oct 17, 2021
4 Easy Fixes to Make Once You Get Your Home Inspection Report Back
Don't freak out.
Sarah Kuta
Oct 17, 2021
That Fixer-Upper for Sale Might Not Need a Gut Rehab. Here’s How to Tell
Hardwood floors could be hiding under that shag carpet.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Oct 15, 2021
5 Myths That Are Probably Fueling Your Homebuying Fever
You don’t necessarily need to drop everything and start house-hunting.
Sarah Kuta
Oct 10, 2021
The 7 Biggest Pet Peeves Home Stagers Have About Your Bathroom
Bid farewell to towel racks.
Jennifer Billock
Oct 9, 2021
5 of the Most Expensive Fixes You’ll Spot on a Home Inspection Report
According to real estate experts.
Brittany Anas
Oct 8, 2021
7 Overdone Kitchen Trends That Buyers Are Tired of
According to real estate experts.
Sarah Magnuson
Oct 6, 2021
4 Things a Real Estate Agent Will Always Do Before an Open House
You probably haven't even noticed.
Sofia Rivera
Oct 5, 2021
4 Homebuying Trends on Their Way Out
According to real estate experts.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
Oct 4, 2021