Thiru Nirahulan's blog

In a competitive market, you might set your sights on a home only to find that there are 5 to 10 other offers on it. How do you handle the situation? Do you go in with a much higher offer? Waive all possible contingencies? Offer cash for the home? or Write a meaningful personal letter to the homeowner? What are the best strategies for buying a house in a competitive market?

What is a Competitive Market?

In a competitive market, inventories are low, so buyers are competing against each other for available homes. Bidding wars and short timelines are common. Buyers may need to act quickly...

Does it make more sense to rent vs buy a home in 2025? With fluctuating interest rates, shifting home prices, and rental costs climbing in many cities, the rent vs buy debate is at the top of a lot of minds. Which option is right for you, and what factors should weigh into your decision?

Rent vs Buy: What’s New in 2025

Several economic forces are influencing the housing market and the rent vs buy decisions people are making.

In Many Markets, Renting is Cheaper

A new report* from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies shows that a wave of new rental construction is reshaping...

Beachfront living has a lot of appeal: the calming sound of the waves and beautiful ocean views make sunrise more promising and every sunset more spectacular. Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend home, a place you can rent out, or a forever home where you can enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, this could be your time to buy a beach house.

What are the main factors you need to consider when you’re looking at a beachfront property for sale in Florida, North Carolina, or an international location? Are there enough beachfront property listings to choose from? What do you need to know about owning...

When you’re selling your house, it’s always better to have time to strategize, but you don’t always have that option. Whether you’ve taken a job in another city, you’re liquidating an estate, or you’re moving on to a new chapter in your life, we have all the tips and tricks for how to sell your house fast at the best price possible.

Understanding the Market

The real estate market moves at different speeds depending on location, season, and economic conditions. If you’re in a buyer’s market, you’ll need to pull out all the stops when figuring out how to get your house to sell fast. In a...

Selling your home often feels like walking a financial tightrope. You want to maximize your profit, but you’re also bombarded with advice about all the things you “must” fix before listing. The average seller has lived in their home for 12 years before selling. That’s potentially a lot of wear and tear to address. But here’s the reality: fixing everything is unnecessary. Here’s a list of what not to fix when selling a house.

Major Renovations to Avoid

When preparing to sell your house, extensive renovations rarely deliver a good return on investment. Most major home improvement projects...

The home buying process involves more negotiation than you may realize. While most people know that some back-and-forth will follow the initial offer, there are other stages in the process where you could potentially save money or get more favorable terms for your deal.

Negotiating a home price may sound complicated and outside your comfort zone, but don’t worry; with the information on this page, you’ll understand this part of the home buying process well enough to go forward with confidence!

Know Your Negotiating Position

Negotiating during the home buying process starts with knowing...

Understanding what pending means in real estate is important whether you’re buying or selling a home. It can be confusing to deal with real estate terminology if you’re not an expert in the area. This is especially true with related terms like pending vs contingent and pending vs under contract. Having a good grasp of these concepts can improve your strategy and help you meet your ideal timelines for buying or selling your home.

What Does Real Estate Pending Mean?

In real estate, “pending” means that a buyer and seller have signed a purchase agreement, and the sale is on track to close on...

New smart gadgets can be a double-edged sword. Some homeowners approach them with skepticism, while others dive headfirst into the latest trends. Do you remember when 3D TVs were a huge in-home entertainment trend? No? Exactly. A combination of curiosity and a bit of well-placed apprehension can be helpful when deciding which smart gadgets are a good investment. When considering new tech, it’s helpful to keep two questions in mind: “Will this make life easier?” and “Will this save me money?” 

1. Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats can help homeowners save money, contribute to a healthier...

If you’re struggling to save for a down payment, you may be asking yourself, “Can I buy a house with no money down?”

In fact, you can buy a house with no down payment. Though most conventional loans do require a down payment, there are someporgrams that may help. Typically, government-backed programs might qualify you for no down payment. Creative financing options are designed to help qualified buyers get on the property ladder. Normally, without a huge up-front cash layout.

Government Programs for No-Money-Down Home Purchases

One of the ways of buying a home with no money down is...

Are you a first-time homebuyer feeling discouraged by today’s high interest rates? There’s a lesser-known strategy that might be your ticket to homeownership: assumable mortgages. While most new buyers focus solely on conventional loans, more house hunters are discovering they can potentially save hundreds of dollar. This is done by taking over someone else’s lower-rate mortgage. Current mortgage rates are currently hovering between 6-7 percent. The opportunity to assume a mortgage at 3-4 percent could be the difference between affording your dream home or continuing to rent.

What is an...