Located in the Historic Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta, 254 Norwood Avenue is a 6 bedroom 4 bath neo-craftsman bungalow built in 2001. It sits on a private lot and includes additional “bonus space” on the 2nd level. The galley-style kitchen showcases solid granite counters, a stainless appliance package and wood cabinetry. The living room features a fireplace, soaring 10ft+ ceilings and gleaming hardwood floors throughout the common areas. Upstairs you'll find a master suite with private master bath, large walk-in closet and plush wall-to-wall carpet. There’s...

Looking for a new home? Eighty-eight percent of homebuyers use a real estate agent or broker, who becomes their guide, advisor, even confessor. But with more than 2 million active real estate agents and brokers working in the U.S., it’s hard to know which one will be right for you.

We can help. Here are some steps to take and questions to ask when looking for a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a house.

Roundup Independent Referrals:

The National Association of Realtors says 86 percent of buyers are likely to use the same agent again or recommend their agent to others. So work those cocktail parties, PTA meetings and family reunions to gather names of agents who have earned the trust and respect...

If you're thinking about selling your home, you might be entertaining two outside-of-the-box ideas: listing your home FSBO (for sale by owner) or renting out your home on a lease-purchase (or lease-option) agreement.

But both of these options are more complicated than meets the eye.

In this article, we'll walk through the nuances of both of these choices to explain some of the risks that you may not have considered.

In fairness, we'll also elaborate on the benefits, too, and give you tips if you're considering making a move in one of these directions.

The Risks of FSBO

At first glance, selling your house yourself seems like a money-saving idea. After all, you won’t have to pay a...

Is it better to buy a home in July or January?

If you go by the numbers alone, buyers get a better deal on homes during the lazy, hazy days of summer than on the tree-bare, frigid days of winter. A Redfin study shows that in the past five years, more homes listed in winter sold faster and for more money than homes listed in summer. Another Redfin study concluded you’ll likely pay more than the asking price if you buy a home in December, January, February and March.

Or course, numbers don’t tell the whole story. And buying in summer or winter each has its advantages. Here are some things to consider when deciding when’s the best time to look for your dream home.

Summer Considerations

Lots of Choices:

Summer inventory throughout most of the U.S. historically is 15 percent greater than in winter, according to the National Association of Realtors. That means more houses to see and more chances...