Thiru Nirahulan's blog

Making an offer on a house should start with recent local sales, not guesswork or the asking price alone. House comps, or comparable sales, show what similar homes have recently sold for in the same area. They help sellers and first-time buyers understand whether a home is priced fairly and what offer range may make sense. Used properly, house comps can help you make a competitive offer on a house without overpaying. The key is to compare the right homes, adjust condition and features, and balance the numbers with seller priorities, market demand, and your own budget.

Quick answer: House...

Multigenerational homes are on the rise because more families need housing that supports shared costs, caregiving, privacy, and flexible living. These homes often allow parents, adult children, grandparents, or extended family members to live under one roof while still keeping some separation. The right multigenerational home is not just a larger home. It needs a layout that supports daily routines, private space, accessibility, parking, storage, and the way each generation plans to live together.

Quick answer: A multigenerational home is designed to support two or more adult generations...

The real difference between renting and paying a mortgage is not that one payment is “wasted” while the other is automatically an investment. Both provide a place to live. The key differences are what each payment covers, who is responsible for ongoing costs, and whether part of the payment reduces debt tied to a property you own.

Renting can provide flexibility and predictable responsibilities over a short lease term. A mortgage can support long-term stability and building equity in a home, but ownership also brings taxes, insurance, maintenance, closing costs, and exposure to changes in...

The cost of renting an apartment is rarely limited to the advertised monthly rent. A tenant may also pay an application charge, a security deposit for rent, utilities, renter insurance, parking, pet charges, moving expenses, and fees for amenities or services. Some costs are due before move-in, while others appear only after the lease is signed. The hidden costs of renting are not the same in every building or state. Lease terms and tenant protections vary, and some fees may be limited or prohibited by local law. The safest approach is to request a complete written list of required...

No starter home checks every box, and that’s perfectly normal. For most buyers, a first home is an opportunity to build equity, establish financial stability, and create a foundation for future moves. Buyers who feel good about their purchase usually focus on the features that matter most while remaining flexible on items that can be improved over time. If you’re wondering what to expect from a first home, here’s where REMAX professionals suggest focusing your attention.

Key Takeaways

• Your first home does not need to be perfect; it needs to be livable, affordable, and practical for the...

For years, manufactured housing was often treated as a weaker option for building value than a traditional home. But the picture is more nuanced than that. A manufactured home’s long-term value depends heavily on whether it comes with land, how it is titled, how it is financed, and how strong demand is in the local market.

When buyers are focused on affordability, manufactured housing can offer a more practical way into the market. At REMAX, we’re seeing the most interest in markets where traditional home prices have pulled further away from what many buyers can comfortably afford. That...

For many renters, the push to buy starts when rent no longer feels worth it. They want their monthly payment to build equity instead of going to a landlord. But for people with lower credit scores, that goal can get complicated quickly. Even with steady income, buying a house with bad credit may be harder than expected. Lenders often see bad credit as added risk. As REMAX professionals know, the gap between wanting to buy and being ready to qualify is common. Closing it often takes preparation, patience, and a clear understanding of the mortgage process.

Key Takeaways

• A low credit score...

Buying your first home used to come with a standard script. Start small, build equity, sell, and move up. That was the classic property ladder. But today’s market has made that path less predictable. Higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, tight inventory, and changing lifestyle needs have many buyers asking a bigger question. Should I buy a starter home first, or stretch for the forever home from the beginning? The answer depends on your budget, timeline, and long-term plans. The starter home vs forever home decision comes down to flexibility, stability, and financial pressure. A...

If you’ve been dreaming about living in a coastal or lakeside community and you’re browsing waterfront homes for sale, you may be wondering about the full costs of owning this type of property. Some of the expenses may already be on your radar, but others, such as flood insurance, erosion, dock maintenance, and taxes, could come as a surprise. Learning about them in advance will help you establish a budget that works for you.

Insurance

One of the biggest items you’ll need to budget for is insurance. In some regions, your homeowner’s insurance won’t be different from a regular inland home,...

Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is an added cost on a conventional loan when a buyer puts less than 20% down on a conventional loan. Because it increases the monthly payment without protecting the buyer, many buyers want to know whether they can avoid it, reduce it, or remove it later.

Key Takeaways

• PMI usually applies when a conventional loan has a down payment of below 20%.
• A 20% down payment is the standard way to avoid PMI on a conventional mortgage.
• Buyers with less than 20% down may still have workable alternatives.
• PMI can often be removed later once equity is enough.

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