Author Archives: Sabrina Mapes

When using a mortgage to finance your home purchase, an appraisal lets you and the lender know that the property is priced appropriately. That way you don’t end up paying more for a home than it is worth, and your lender doesn’t need to make adjustments to the loan amount, since they will only lend as much […]

A Zillow study reveals paint colors that may wow prospective buyers — and colors that fall short. Do you find yourself browsing homes on Zillow and pausing at a home that has a stand-out front door? Maybe it’s a bright red or a sunshine yellow. There’s a reason you paused — and it’s likely because the seller was […]

A guide for finding a home you love in a place that feels like home. Deciding where to live — whether it’s for a year or a lifetime — can mean weighing up dozens of complex considerations. These span from broad factors like the local job market, to more specific concerns like whether it will […]

Renovating doesn’t always mean big returns. See which improvements pay off when you sell. Whether you’re thinking of selling in the next six months or a few years down the road, remodeling with return on investment (ROI) in mind is a smart financial move. Few investments recoup more than 100% of their cost, but collectively, […]

See which seaside and vacation towns made the list. Small cities and towns captured the imagination of Zillow® surfers in 2023, drawn perhaps by smaller home prices and proximity to major cities with lots of amenities. “Affordability was the word on home shoppers’ minds, and it shows in the most popular cities that buyers on […]

A mortgage is a loan you take out on a piece of land or real estate when you don’t have all the cash-on hand to buy, improve or maintain it on your own. A bank or other financial institution will lend you the money under the condition that you repay the loaned amount by a set […]

Moving — whether it’s buying, renting or selling — poses special challenges for people with ADHD. These tips may help. Jessica McCabe knows a thing or two about moving. The host of the popular “How to ADHD” YouTube channel and website by the same name moved five times in three years — and during a pandemic, no […]

See the next wave of interior design trends in action. We know we’re biased, but there are few things we love more than finding home design marvels on Zillow (and we’re not alone). Sure, not every home can claim a moat or a ’50s style diner as an amenity, but we have noticed a number of features arguably just as […]

Loan officers break down what you need to know about student debt and owning a home. Student loans are undoubtedly a daunting financial obstacle, so it’s only natural to feel like they’re holding you back from owning a home. But buying a house with student loan debt is possible. Whether or not you should get […]

What experts say is the key to an odor-free kitchen, plus more room-by-room advice. Open concept homes can feel airy and spacious, but they can be relatively difficult to keep clean. The lack of walls means clutter is inevitably out in the open, and suitable storage space is a precious resource. Luckily, there are tricks […]