First Time Home Buyers Archives - From New York City to New JerseyFrom New York City to New Jersey

High Ceilings Are Totally Overrated—Here’s Why

It’s not hard to see why high ceilings are highly-coveted real estate assets: Being typically found in pre-war homes, they give a historic feel and evoke a sense of grandeur. After all, a chandelier looks a bit more stately hanging from a 18-foot ceiling than an eight-foot one.

They’re not just impressive looking, either. Tall ceilings also make spaces look and feel bigger than they actually are—a nifty trick in otherwise small apartments.

But such great heights often come with unanticipated inconveniences. According to Caroline Bass, a real estate agent with Corcoran in New York City, high ceilings aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Here are four reasons she says this architectural indulgence usually ends up being less-than-luxurious for homeowners:

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Here's What You Can Get for Under $350,000 in 5 Major Cities

In many locations across the country, having a $350,000 budget to buy a home will get you some pretty nice digs, but when you’re looking in some of the big cities that stack of cash can translate into what some people may consider a college dorm room. Interested in seeing just how far your dollar stretches in the five major cities? I asked real estate pros to show their best properties in the price range—here’s what’s on the market:

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6 Expert Tips for Using Zillow, According to Real Estate Agents

Zillow was the matchmaker that introduced me to my dream home. I had been saving for a down payment and was “just curious” what I could get near Denver in my budget, which led me to casually scroll through listings on my lunch break. I found my three-bedroom row home on the real estate site, and it was love at first site. I then called up a real estate agent my friend referred to me, had a showing the next day, and closed a few weeks later.

I’m not alone. About 51 percent of buyers found the homes they eventually purchased online, according to research from the National Association of Realtors.

Zillow, of course, allows you to window shop for places to rent or buy, which is the main draw. But that’s really just scratching the surface.

Here’s what else you can use Zillow for—and expert tips from real estate pros on what to keep in mind when perusing the online real estate hub.

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I Was Able to Buy a Home Because: I Borrowed from an Unexpected Source

Though some people may consider a dream home to come with a garage, hardwood floors, and the most quiet neighbors in history, truth be told, simply owning a home could be a millennial dream come true for some.

According to a 2015 “Millennial Homeownership” report from the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that does economic and social policy research, the biggest factors holding millennials back from homeownership were delayed marriage and, of course, student loan debt. The report says that the homeownership rate of millennials is about eight percentage points lower than that of two prior generations (Gen X and Baby Boomers) when they were in the same age bracket.

Yet, despite all of this, millennials still want to become homeowners—and 36.8 percent of them already are, according to third quarter of 2018 data from the U.S. Census Bureau data. If you’re in the 63 percent who don’t own property, you may be interested in hearing from fellow millennials who accomplished the seemingly impossible. I’ve talked to five different millennial homeowners to see how they did it. (Just a caveat, these are first person stories — not necessarily financial advice, so talk to a professional to see what works for you!)

First up, Ashley Coleman, 32, who works in the music industry:

The Best Real Estate Advice for Couples, According to Divorce Attorneys

First comes love. Then comes marriage… or a civil union or cohabitation. From there, we’re cheering for something along the lines of “and they lived happily ever after.” But because life is full of plot twists—and because divorce rates are around 40 to 50 percent in the United States—it can be important to take some precautions when you’re buying a house with a partner.

Who better to offer that advice than divorce attorneys? Here, they share some of their best real estate advice for couples looking to buy a home together:

Millennials Are Losing Faith in the American Dream—Here's Why

Millennials are losing faith in the American dream—at least according to a new survey from Trulia. In 2015, 80 percent of Americans ages 18-34 said homeownership was part of their personal “American dream.” This year, that number dropped to just 71 percent.

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7 Books Experts Say Every Potential Homeowner Should Read

If 2019 promises to be the year you’re planning to buy your first home, it’s also the perfect time to pick up a guide (or two) to help you get started on thinking about what homeownership really means. Here, eight picks to help you conceptualize what owning a home will be like, from real estate agents, homeowners, and designers:

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Experts Say These 5 Real Estate Tips Are Now Totally Outdated

Like lots of things in life (including yourself!), the real estate world keeps rapidly evolving. Though some things will stay the same, at least one thing your broker told you a decade ago is no longer relevant. Here, five once-common pieces of advice experts say that you should now take with a grain of salt.

9 Signs You're Ready to Stop Renting and Buy Your First Place

Do you dream of a future with a yard and a white picket fence? One where you’re not writing away 30 percent of your salary to your landlord every month? Being able to buy a home is a big part of what we’re sold as “The American Dream,” but it’s not for everyone.

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3 Expert-Approved Reasons You Should Add "New Home" to Your Holiday Shopping List

‘Tis the season… to look for houses? It may seem counterintuitive since it’s actually a slower time of year and there may be fewer houses on the market, but the holiday season might actually be the ideal time to house hunt. Here are three reasons why:

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