According to a study by the National Association of REALTORS®, 98 percent of homebuyers who searched for a home online listed photos as one of the most useful features of real estate websites.

After all, this is the age of the smartphone and tablet, when photos are running wild on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, so when buyers come across a listing with no visuals, it will send a message—warranted or not—that there’s something wrong with the home.

While some agents work with a professional photographer who has the equipment and lenses to make a house look its best, others take the shots themselves. In some instances, agents will have the seller supply the images.

Regardless of who is taking the photos, before the camera even comes out, make sure the house is in pristine condition. This means removing clutter, adding some color and getting the house as tidy as possible.

No matter what type of real estate market we’re faced with, selling a home can be a daunting process, however, with some out-of-the-box thinking, sellers can often find simple ways to sweeten the deal. If you’re in the process of packing your belongings and deciding what should stay behind, you may want to take another look at your window treatments. Odds are, the home you’re moving to won’t have the same size windows as your current place, so the curtains, shades and blinds will be useless to you. At the same time, they could be right up a potential buyer’s alley.

Some people spend a lot of money on window treatments and for many, it may feel like you’re throwing away thousands of dollars if you just leave them with the house. Plus, there’s a good chance that whoever buys your home will want to put their own decorative spin on the place and will eventually replace them anyway.

Still, the addition of window treatments can be a factor in helping to sell your house. People love getting things for free, especially if it’s something expensive that they would have to add to their budget when moving in. Plus, stylish and well-built window treatments are a great eye-catcher in a home and can boost the resale value of a home considerably.

In a recent study conducted by the National Association of REALTORS®, it was discovered that 89 percent of all homebuyers purchased their new home with the assistance of a real estate agent or broker.

Ten years earlier, a similar study revealed that only 69 percent of buyers used an agent. While going through the process of looking for and buying a home can be overwhelming, it’s clear to see that consumers have wizened up to the importance of using an experienced professional to find the home of their dreams. After all, buying a home is not like shopping for a new car or television; you need to have someone who is educated and experienced by your side to help you navigate through all the properties and find the one that’s ideal for you.

According to the NAR release, “More than ever, homebuyers are relying on real estate agents and brokers to help them with their home purchase regardless of whether the home they are buying is a foreclosure, short sale, or even a FSBO sale because they need a real estate agent to help them through the process.”

Did you know that there is a best day to List your Featured Home? Yes and Financial Experts as well as Psychological peole points to Friday as the Best day to list homes. Could it be the reason why we always tag along the TGIF thing??

CoreLogic®, a leading residential property information, analytics and services provider, recently released its December CoreLogic HPI® report. Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased on a year-over-year basis by 8.3 percent in December 2012 compared to December 2011. This change represents the biggest increase since May 2006 and the 10th consecutive monthly increase in home prices nationally. On a month-over-month basis, including distressed sales, home prices increased by 0.4 percent in December 2012 compared to November 2012. The HPI analysis shows that all but four states are experiencing year-over-year price gains.

Excluding distressed sales, home prices increased on a year-over-year basis by 7.5 percent in December 2012 compared to December 2011. On a month-over-month basis, excluding distressed sales, home prices increased 0.9 percent in December 2012 compared to November 2012. Distressed sales include short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions.

The CoreLogic Pending HPI indicates that January 2013 home prices, including distressed sales, are expected to rise by 7.9 percent on a year-over-year basis from January 2012 and fall by 1 percent on a month-over-month basis from December 2012, reflecting a seasonal winter slowdown. Excluding distressed sales, January 2013 house prices are poised to rise 8.6 percent year over year from January 2012 and by 0.7 percent month over month from December 2012. The CoreLogic Pending HPI is a proprietary and exclusive metric that provides the most current indication of trends in home prices. It is based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that measure price changes for the most recent month.

Whether it's a beach home in Hilton Head or a simple log cabin in the Minnesota backwoods, a vacation house can be the source of decades of good memories. Who would never wish for a vacation house? We all do wish for one! But unfortunately, its not that easy – there are so much to take on and so much to consider.

It’s still not easy getting a loan to buy a new vacation home. Tougher underwriting requirements and other obstacles related to a property’s location have created borrowing challenges for even wealthy home buyers

“In general, guidelines are tighter than they were a few years ago,” says Bob Walters, chief economist at Quicken Loans, an online home lender.

Did you know spring is the best time to sell your home? And now that the housing market is bouncing back, there's never been a better time to do it. But even if you're planning to stay put for the long haul, chances are there are some much-needed touch-ups you could be doing to keep your home in tip-top shape. And you don't have to break your back, or the bank, to do it. In fact, adding a new coat of paint is a quick, affordable, and possibly the most impactful, way to get your project done.

Prep, prime and primp
Misusing color can be a surefire way to turn people off from your home. For a more inviting look that nearly everyone can enjoy, opt for neutral paint colors. A subtle beige, slight grey or even white can do the trick.
First, move furniture out of the room and place drop cloths to protect the floor. Remove any picture frames, outlet covers and wall decor. Then, gently scrub the walls with a mild detergent and water mixture using a soft sponge to remove any dirt, grime or lint. Don't forget to prime your walls before applying color to ensure the best end-results.

Paint like a pro
For an ultra-smooth finish, try Purdy's line of Ultra Finish roller covers. These premium microfiber roller covers, available in 9-inch lengths and varying nap thickness, provide an even release of paint and deliver a consistent application from start to finish. Plus, they work great with any kind of paint and finish, including satin, semi-gloss and gloss, taking the guesswork out of the DIY equation.

The annual Concours d’Elegance, scheduled for November 2 – 3, 2013, will move to Port Royal Golf Club, a member of the prestigious Heritage Golf Group collection of top U.S. courses. The Concours d’Elegance caps off an entire week’s worth of events and experiences for individuals who are passionate about wheels, bikes and even hulls. The 2013 Festival will offer events both in Savannah, GA and Hilton Head Island, SC.  Last year, over 14 thousand automotive collectors, club members and everyday enthusiasts attended the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance. 

“Making the move to a venue that offers top-notch resort amenities, including three 18-hole golf courses, oceanfront accommodations, beach, tennis, croquet and conference/special event facilities allows us to beautifully meet both consumer and corporate sponsor needs,” festival president Carolyn Vanagel said in a news release Tuesday. “The event has grown significantly each year, and we’re thrilled to now offer an entirely new portfolio of exhibit, hospitality and entertainment choices.”

The last thing you want to do while you're on a trip is to worry about someone burglarizing your home. Use this checklist to add some peace of mind to your travel plans.

• Ask a trusted friend - to pick up your mail and newspaper and keep the yard free of trash and advertisements.
• Stop your mail but maybe not your newspaper - you can easily handle this online by going to the US Postal Service's Hold Mail Service. A recent story implicated an employee from a major newspaper who was passing customer hold requests to burglars.
• Don't post about your trip on Facebook and Twitter until you return - some burglars actually look for this type of announcement to schedule their activities.