You know when you buy a house & you think you've covered all extra charges but then you get hit with the property taxes... what's that all about?! Let's break it down so you know exactly what you are paying for:
You probably already know that property taxes are a huge source of income for local & state governments. But, did you know that they are calculated by taking the mill rate & multiplying it by the assessed value of your property? What's the mill rate? How do they assess the value of your property?? SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.
Mill Levy 
According to an article found on Investopedia, the mill levy is the tax rate levied on your property value, with one mill representing one-tenth of one cent. So, for $1,000 of assessed property value, one mill would be equal to $1. The article goes on to say that "tax levies for each jurisdiction in an area are calculated separately; then, all the levies are added together to determine the total mill rate for an entire region." ; ...

Showings are like first dates. You never really know what to expect, but it just might be the beginning to the rest of your life!
Okay, that was cheesy. But showings are so important when looking for your new home! Much like going on a first date, you'll have some things you want to watch out for. "Are they close with their family?" "Do they have a steady job?" "Are they well-kept?" "Are there cracks in the wall?" "Is there water in the basement?" Finding a perfect house & finding love are basically the same thing. 
So what are some key things to be looking for??
You guessed it, cracks in the wall! The founder of the NY firm Loci Architecture states that a crack in the wall is a sign of serious structural problems & is not something to take lightly. According to Cubed, "small drywall cracks are probably nothing to worry about, but larger cracks or ones with discoloration may indicate structural issues or leaks." 
Next, make sure to check the floors. Sagging ...

What are the right questions to ask your real estate agent? One of the most important steps in buying/selling a house is making sure you conduct a thorough interview with your potential Realtor®. Don't let this overwhelm you- we've created an outline of some of the essential questions you should have on your list! 
1. How long have you been an agent? Are you full-time or part-time?
2. What's your average number of closings in a year?
3. How does your commission work?
4. Can you explain the home buying process from start to finish? 
5. Do you have references I can call?
6. How many closings have you had this month?
7. Do you work with buyers & sellers? 
8. How can I contact you/what is the best time of day to talk?
9. How many clients do you have right now?
10. Can I see your Real Estate License? 
        It may seem rude, but you'd rather be safe than sorry!

Asking your potential agent these questions will give you a better ...

Have you been struggling with wanting to sell but just don't know if it's the right time? If you've been on the fence about taking the leap, keep reading to see if this is the right move for you right now!
Signs You Should Probably Start Looking For a New House: 
The first & most obvious sign that you should sell is that your family is outgrowing your home. The kids are growing up, buying more clothes, collecting more hobbies, eating more food - but you don't have room for all these additions? Instead of restricting your family in a time of growth, you should first look into finding a place that meets everyone's needs. The kids will be able to explore their passions & you will have peace of mind knowing there is a place for every box of noodles in the kitchen. 
The next sign is the other side of the one stated above: empty nesters. So you bought the big house with a bathroom for every kid, now they're off creating their own life & all you're left with is a big ...

Have you ever been driving around & spot an open house sign on the side of the road?
You might think to yourself 'what's the point of an open house?'
Maybe you're a seller & you're second-guessing having an open house.
If you've never been to one or hosted one & have been getting more serious about buying/selling a house, keep reading to see what kinds of benefits an open house can bring to both you & your agent! 
FOR THE BUYER:
We know that finding that perfect house is an overwhelming task. Going to showing after showing & still not feeling that spark can get exhausting & maybe leave you feeling hopeless. Open houses give buyers an opportunity to casually view a home without any stress or pressure. You don't need to bring your agent, fill out any paperwork, or even make a call. All you have to do is walk through the door, look around, grab some candy & go about your day. 
An open house also allows for buyers to check out the neighborhood. ...