6 ways to ensure a remodeling project pays off By Josh Garskof, Money Magazine contributing writerFebruary 10, 2010: 4:49 PM ET (Money Magazine) — Just a few years ago you could count on getting the bulk of your money back for almost any home-improvement project you took on. Today merely replacing a toilet seat can feel like throwing caution, and cash, to the wind. According to a study from Remodeling magazine, the […]

Two Months Before Sort and purge.Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage.Related: Where to Donate Your Old Goods Research.Start investigating moving company options. Do not rely on a quote over the phone; request an on-site estimate. Get an estimate in writing from each company, […]

1. Check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area. Web sites such asZillow and Homegain can give you a general idea of what you should expect to pay. You can also do a quick search of actual MLS listings in your area on a number of Web sites, including the site of the National Association of Realtors. 2. See what you can afford. Use Bankrate’s  mortgage calculator to see what your payment would be. […]

The top 10 things you need to know when buying a home. 1. Don’t buy if you can’t stay put. If you can’t commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner – even in […]