BROWSE HOW TOs

Check Out All Categories

Real Estate

From finding a real estate agent to researching mortgage and financing options, reduce the stress of buying or selling a home with the help of eHow’s real estate experts. Get practical advice on everything from finding the perfect apartment and moving in, to surviving an escrow and purchasing investment properties. Having trouble finding the home of your dreams? eHow can help you build one yourself with advice on designing a house, estimating construction costs and hiring a builder.

Categories in Real Estate

Articles in Real Estate

How to Calculate Rent Escalations

By spak1439

0 comments

Whether you are renting an apartment or leasing commercial space, you may hear the words "$1,000 per month, with 3 percent escalations per year." Use this simple formula to calculate rent escalations. Then apply it to every day life, like ... more »

How to Choose a Pet Waste Station

By SDANIELLO

0 comments

The purpose of this article is to help property managers and residents select the best pooper scooper station for their apartment complex, condo, or homeowners association. Pet waste stations consist of a post, waste receptacle, pet waste pick up ... more »

How to Choose a Prospective Landlord

By AHermitt

0 comments

While many landlords take careful steps in choosing tenants, few tenants take similar steps in choosing a prospective landlord. Here are the steps you should take to choose a landlord... more »

How to Choose a Realtor

By RainMaker

0 comments

When you're buying or selling a house, how do you choose a realtor? Here are a few tips for success, and pitfalls to avoid... more »

How to Choose a Realtor

By Anne Wanchic

1 comments

Whether you are buying or selling a home anywhere in the country, you will want an effective professional to assist you. Here is how to find a realtor that will be right for you... more »

How to Compare Adjustable Rate Mortgages

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Maybe you know this song—“the loan bone’s connected to the ARM bone, the ARM bone’s connected to the index bone.” Maybe not. An ARM, or adjustable rate mortgage, can be a great opportunity or a costly mistake. If you are confident you will soon ... more »

How to Create a Real Estate Listing

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

If you are writing your own real estate copy, you want to include all aspects of your home that will attract buyers. You will want to paint an accurate picture of the house along with highlighting its best features. You can do this by using the ... more »

How to Cut Your Losses and Allow Foreclosure

By Anne Wanchic

2 comments

No one wants to lose their home to foreclosure, but what if you are one of the millions of people that are facing a skyrocketing adjustable rate change and have no way of making the payments? Would it be better for you to walk away from your ... more »

How to Decide Between Buying and Renting

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

You are confronting the buy versus rent dilemma. Here are some ideas to clarify your decision-making process and set you on a path towards smart financial planning... more »

How to Decide on Becoming a Homeowner

By MidniteWriter

0 comments

Do you dream of becoming a home owner? Do you often wonder what it will take to own your own home? Or, are you content with renting? Is your lifestyle and family life conducive to being a homeowner? What are your finances and credit like? Do ... more »

How to Decide Whether to Buy Through a Realtor or by Yourself

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

8 comments

Buying a home without the representation of a real estate agent may save you some money - but be sure you know your way around a real estate transaction, or you could get yourself into trouble... more »

How to Deduct Rent for Repairs You Make Yourself

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

1 comments

In some states and under certain circumstances, renters can deduct the costs of making minor repairs from their monthly rent. Here are the steps you need to take to do this correctly... more »

How to Define Tenancy by Entirety

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

It is a homeowner's biggest fear, losing the family home. There is protection, even when bankruptcy is imminent, especially for married couples. Tenancy by entirety protects the home and the home equity from creditors. It is a law that is ... more »

How to Define the Homestead Exemption

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

The homestead exemption is the easiest way to keep creditors from taking the equity that you built up in your home. However, the exemption is not well known amongst homeowners. It can ease the fear that most homeowners have that their home can be ... more »

How to Design Your House

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

2 comments

What could be more exciting than moving into a new home? How about moving into a new home that's designed just for you and your family? If this is your situation--lucky you! Here's some advice to make sure the house you design truly is the home ... more »

How to Dispose of a House Trailer

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Disposing of a house trailer can be quick and easy or long and arduous. It all depends on the age of the trailer and what shape it's in. Here are some tips to get rid of a house trailer... more »

How to Dispose Of Tenant`s Belongings The Right Way

By Mike

3 comments

We all dislike clutter. It gives a sense of an area being a mess, disorganized and dirty. As a landlord for more than 10 years, nothing drives me crazier then after a tenant moves out, whether on their own or by eviction, then when they leave a ... more »

How to Establish Security Deposit Fees

By Tippy

1 comments

Security deposits, paid in advance by a tenant, act as financial insurance against the damage of the residence. While they are no guarantee, in most cases, renters want their money returned and will respect your property. Establishing the correct ... more »

How to Evict a Resident Manager

By Tippy

1 comments

Resident managers are the foundation of any good property management scenario. They are the on-site person that both tenants and owners turn to when needing repairs or enforcing contracts. A good resident manager is a benefit to all parties ... more »

How to Evict a Tenant for Property Damage

By AHermitt

0 comments

Sometimes you rent to a person who seems like an excellent tenant, but then you realize they are destroying your property. Many property owners will wait for the lease to end and then not renew the lease, but in some cases, the homeowner must ... more »

How to Find a Rental if You Have a Disability

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Renters with disabilities have the same rights as renters without disabilities. Some apartments and housing projects have been designed to be utilized by disabled renters, but there are usually waiting lists... more »

How to Find Affordable Housing

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

2 comments

The United Way of America has identified finding affordable housing as being one of the most serious problems families face today. Some families pay more than half their monthly income on rent - sometimes in severely substandard homes. The ... more »

How to Find Current Mortgage Rates

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Mortgage rates are as volatile as the stock market. It’s no wonder, since they are related to one another and the current spending habits of Americans. Finding the most up-to-date mortgage rates is easy when you use the Internet... more »

How to Find Out the Value of Your (or Your Neighbor's) Home

By joyful327

1 comments

Finding out the value of your home is important if you are planning on selling it, or want to figure out your property taxes. It also might be helpful to know the value of your neighbor's home if you plan to sell yours... more »

How to Find the Perfect Home

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

2 comments

The home of your dreams may well be within your reach. Here's how to shop for a home that suits you - and your budget... more »