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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.

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Articles in Real Estate

How to Advertise Your Rental Property

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

19 comments

Spread the word about your available rental property! Here's how to let people know about your place. .. more »

How to Buy a Foreclosed Home

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

1 comments

When you buy a foreclosed home, you're cashing in on a home someone was no longer able to pay for. Foreclosures are difficult--both to locate and to execute the transactions--but the potential to turn them over for a tidy profit may be there... more »

How to Buy a Home at an Auction

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

2 comments

A home typically comes up for auction when the owner - who may be an individual or a builder - has been unable to sell the property and the property has been taken back by the lender in foreclosure. Once the lender owns the property, it can ... more »

How to Buy a Home for Zero Down

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

4 comments

Buying a home for zero down can be accomplished, but may cost you more in the long run with all the additional fees and costs associated with this sort of loan... more »

How to Buy a House at Auction

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

2 comments

"Sold to the highest bidder!" Buying a home through an auction can mean incredible deals. In most cases, the seller is either the government, which has taken possession of the property due to unpaid taxes, or the lender, when the former owner ... more »

How to Buy a Manufactured Home

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

4 comments

Manufactured homes have come a long way from the old, square cracker boxes. Today's manufactured homes come in as many models as "stick-built" homes, and they're usually less expensive... more »

How to Buy a Vacation Home

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Buying a vacation home--that haven away from it all--is an enticing thought, but the process is subject to the same practical considerations as any other financial decision you may make. Know what you're looking for, shop aggressively and pay ... more »

How to Buy Renter's Insurance

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

1 comments

If you're renting, your landlord's insurance does not cover your household goods in case of loss. Here's how to protect your possessions... more »

How to Calculate an Affordable Mortgage

By brianhixon

0 comments

Have you ever wondered how big of a house you can afford? Well this set of step-by-step instructions will help you figure out how much you can afford to dish out for that house you've been dreaming of... more »

How to Calculate Mortgage Payments for a Home

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

5 comments

There are several components that go into a mortgage payment. Missing something can often lead to an unpleasant and very stressful surprise. Follow these simple steps to avoid any unpleasantries or at least be ready to handle them before they ... more »

How to Calculate the Down Payment for a Home

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

2 comments

The down payment, or amount of cash you'll have to pay toward the actual purchase of a home, is determined by the lender as a percentage of the value of the house... more »

How to Calculate Your Loan-to-Value Ratio

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

1 comments

Your loan-to-value ratio is an important figure that you need to know when getting or refinancing a loan or requesting the removal of private mortgage insurance (PMI). Here's how to figure it out... more »

How to Change Roommates or Names on a Lease

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

It's not as simple as having one roommate move out and another move in. You must obtain your landlord's permission to change roommates or names on a lease... more »

How to Check References of Prospective Tenants for Your Rental Property

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

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Find out the background of prospective tenants by checking each applicant's credit history and references... more »

How to Clean Your Rental for a Move-Out

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Leave your rental property in good, clean condition when you move out of the unit - or you may not get your deposit back... more »

How to Decide if It's Time to Buy a Home

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

To rent ... or to buy? That's a good question - one that involves both financial and emotional concerns... more »

How to Deduct Moving Expenses From Your Taxes

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Your moving expenses may be deductible on your federal income tax return under certain circumstances... more »

How to Determine How Big a Mortgage You Can Afford

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Before you look for that dream house, you need to ask yourself what you can really afford to spend each month. These calculations are based on a typical down payment of 20 percent... more »

How to Do a Tax-Deferred Exchange on Investment Property

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Ordinarily, when you sell property for a profit and receive cash, the taxman is there to take his cut. A 1031 tax-deferred exchange on investment property allows you to roll over the gain from the sale of one investment property into another ... more »

How to Estimate Closing Costs

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

All those charges, fees and miscellaneous costs sure add up quickly. If you remember the details, you'll have a good idea of what to expect at closing... more »

How to Evaluate a Community's Crime Statistics

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

0 comments

Before you move to an area, it's a good idea to know how safe your new neighborhood is from criminal activity... more »

How to Evaluate Prospective Tenants for Your Rental Property

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

4 comments

Find the best tenants for your rental property by thoroughly evaluating each applicant... more »

How to File a Claim Against a Moving Company in California

By Shawn

0 comments

Moving is inherently stressful. Fortunately, in many cases there are state guidelines and decent consumer protections if things go wrong. Below are some suggested steps from the California Public Utilities Commission, along with some practical ... more »

How to Find a Cheap Apartment in Miami

By Sabah

0 comments

Miami is home to dozens of attractive beach-front houses, high-rise condos and simple studios. It really is possible to find something that suits your taste, and budget! Apartment hunting services and online listings are just a few ways to find a ... more »

How to Find a Roommate

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

5 comments

Roommates are a good way to cut expenses. But before you move in together, take a few minutes to figure out what kind of living arrangement works for you - it could save a lot of headaches down the road... more »