From closing costs to HOA fees, hidden fees can affect your home-buying budget. Learn what to expect and how to budget effectively for a smooth closing.
 

You’ve saved up for a down payment, gotten pre-approved, and found your dream home. Great! Now, you’re ready to buy your dream home, right? That’s what most people believe. However, in 2025, the price of the home is just the starting point.
 
I recently helped a couple who thought they were all set to buy their home. They had $40,000 for the down payment, secured pre-approval, and even saved some extra for closing costs. However, when it was time to finalize the purchase, they faced over $6,000 in unexpected expenses, including home inspections, HOA charges, and other fees they hadn’t planned for. This caused a delay in closing, and they had to tap into their emergency savings. With a bit more clarity from the start, they could have avoided this stress.
 
Here are some key expenses you ...

You’ve saved up for a down payment, gotten pre-approved, and found your dream home. Great! Now, you’re ready to buy your dream home, right? That’s what most people believe. However, in 2025, the price of the home is just the starting point.

I recently helped a couple who thought they were all set to buy their home. They had $40,000 for the down payment, secured pre-approval, and even saved some extra for closing costs. However, when it was time to finalize the purchase, they faced over $6,000 in unexpected expenses, including home inspections, HOA charges, and other fees they hadn’t planned for. This caused a delay in closing, and they had to tap into their emergency savings. With a bit more clarity from the start, they could have avoided this stress.

Here are some key expenses you should be aware of if you’re considering buying a home today:

1. Closing costs. Most buyers have heard of closing costs, but often underestimate them. In 2025, expect t ...

Sharing three projects you shouldn’t take on when preparing to sell.

When preparing to sell your house, you need to make sure it’s appealing to potential buyers. Many homeowners rush to fix every little flaw, thinking it will boost their property's value, but not every improvement will yield a significant return on investment. To help you avoid the ones that aren’t worthwhile, here are the top three things you should avoid fixing when getting your house ready to sell:
1. Minor HVAC, electrical, and plumbing issues. While well-maintained and fully functional systems are crucial for any home, addressing minor issues in these areas may not be the best use of your resources. Major problems that could significantly impact the home's livability and safety should be fixed, but minor issues are usually better left for the buyer to handle.

"When selling a house, it's crucial to prioritize your efforts and investments wisely."

2. Old appliances and windows. It'! ...

Timing is critical when it comes to selling your home successfully.

Deciding to sell your house is a significant decision, and timing can play a crucial role in maximizing your sales price and attracting potential buyers. If you're wondering when the best time is to put your house on the market, I will provide you with valuable insights. Let's explore the optimal timing for selling your house and how it can impact your selling experience.
1. Spring: The season of opportunity. Springtime has long been considered the prime season for selling a house. The reasons are clear – the weather is improving, and potential buyers are eager to explore new listings. With the arrival of spring, your house can showcase its best features, as flowers bloom, gardens come to life, and natural light floods the rooms. The increased buyer activity during this time can lead to higher demand and potentially multiple offers, giving you the advantage of negotiating a favorable deal.

"Timing c ...

Three home upgrades that will fetch you a high return on your investment.


When preparing your house for sale, you may be led to believe that the more upgrades you make, the higher the price you can list for. However, not all home upgrades are created equal; some will have you pouring money down the drain, while others will get you immediate resale value. Understanding which projects to take on can help you make thousands of dollars more. So, what home improvements should you do if you want to get a fantastic return on your investment?
To answer this question, we have to take into consideration the changes that happened in the past few years. Our homes were recently put through a massive re-evaluation. In response to the pandemic, there are now certain features in a home that have become much more attractive to buyers. If you can include them in your upgrades, you can increase the value of your house and turn it into a coveted property in the market. In particular, there are ...