Alan Shaffer

Homeownership offers many advantages over renting, including a stable living environment, predictable monthly payments, and the freedom to make modifications. Neighborhoods with high rates of homeownership have less crime and more civic engagement. Additionally,...

It’s a fact that life can be pretty hectic. We have to balance work with our personal lives, and when we have a house, we also need to add in maintenance. Thankfully, there are...

We’re in the midst of the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, and economists think there’s still room to grow. A recent survey by the National Association for Business Economics found that experts believe...

When selling real estate, you obviously want to maximize the retail value of your property. Staging a home so that it looks appealing in photos is one essential step. A properly staged home is...

Are you searching for new and innovative gift ideas this holiday season? If so, check out our list of the hottest home technology offerings. We’ve selected a few of our favorites for every room...

Downsizing your home can put hundreds or thousands of dollars back into your pocket each month and hours of time back on your calendar. However, if you do it incorrectly, downsizing can also be...

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, shopping for a new home can feel daunting. In fact, 56% of buyers said that “finding the right property” was the most difficult step in...

Technology is changing the way we do almost everything, and real estate transactions are no exception. In fact, a new crop of tech companies wants to revolutionize the way we buy and sell homes. ...

The U.S. unemployment rate is at a 50-year low, and consumer confidence remains high. In fact, the University of Michigan’s latest Surveys of Consumers found that Americans have their most positive personal finance outlook...

In our “bigger is better” culture, there’s an expectation that each home should be larger and grander than the last. But life changes like divorce, kids leaving for college, or even the simple act...