If you’re planning to buy a home, an inspection is an important step in the process. It assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. It’s also a different step in the process from an appraisal, which is a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy….

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Looking to switch careers but worried you don’t have enough time, energy or skills? Don’t let a fear of failure hold you back. Vincent Van Gogh was a school teacher and a student priest before he harnessed his talent as an artist – and Julia Child was an advertising copywriter before she turned her hand to…

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There’s no doubt that today’s real estate market is…difficult. Homes are spending an outstanding 75 days on the market, up from a low of 31 days set in May 2022. This is the longest time on market since February 2020. Days on market is a metric that tracks the time between when a house is listed and when…

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How many times have you embarked on a home improvement project, only to leave it unfinished? You’re not alone! The good news is, there are steps you can take to ensure a never-ending project, ahem, never happens again: 1. Research. Regardless of the type of project you’re planning, research the possibilities before you get started. From…

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If money is scarce by the end of every pay period, you may need to find a few creative ways to become a more efficient spender – and that means forming spending habits that come as naturally as paying your monthly bills. U.S. News & World Report suggests test-driving a few of these ideas for…

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Though there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there’s still an undersupply with fewer houses available than in more normal, pre-pandemic years. The Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com puts it this way:  “While the number of homes for sale is increasing, it is still 43.2% lower than it was before…

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According to a recent Harris Poll survey, 8 in 10 Americans say buying a home is a priority, and 28 million Americans actually plan to buy within the next 12 months. Homeownership provides many financial and nonfinancial benefits, so that interest is understandable. However, it’s unlikely all 28 million Americans will accomplish that goal in the coming year. Experts…

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Last year, the housing market slowed down in response to higher mortgage rates, and that had an impact on home prices. If you’re thinking of selling your house soon, that means you’ll want to adjust your expectations accordingly. As realtor.com explains: “. . . some of the more prominent pandemic trends have changed, so sellers might wish to…

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For many Americans, money is tight these days, so it makes no sense to spend it on things that deliver little or no added value. Money experts point to seven products or features you should probably stop spending money on.  1. Brand-Name Pharmaceuticals – Generics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have the same…

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Are you or a parent planning to downsize? Moving to smaller digs can lead to more savings, but it also means less space for stuff. And if you’re planning to sell, you’ll need to cut the clutter when it goes on the market. Roll up your sleeves – it’s time to downsize! 1. Allow yourself…

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