Renting vs. buying a house: Which is right for you?
Should you buy a home? Or keep renting? We weigh the pros and cons of each.
Hire a real estate attorney for any home sale or purchase, even if your state doesn’t require you to. The contracts are complex, and the stakes are high — it’s worth the extra cost to make sure everything is legally buttoned-down.
— Michele Petry
Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the site’s real estate content since January 2022. Before joining Bankrate she was a writer and editor for StreetEasy, Zillow’s New York City real estate site. Before that, she amassed 20 years of experience on staff at national magazines, honing her skills editing home-based content at House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Veranda (among other titles). Michele earned her journalism degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and lives in Manhattan.
Buying your first home is scary, stressful and thrilling all at once. I couldn’t believe a bank was willing to lend a young, clueless me what seemed at the time like SO. MUCH. MONEY. The fact that it was a New York City co-op apartment, with all the esoteric rules and nerve-racking interviews that includes, made it even more surreal. I know firsthand how important it is to have a knowledgeable real estate agent to guide you through the journey — mine specialized in my neighborhood, knew the building I was buying in specifically, and saved me from making a million naive missteps. I’m happy to use my experience and skills to help others achieve the dream of homeownership.
Hire a real estate attorney for any home sale or purchase, even if your state doesn’t require you to. The contracts are complex, and the stakes are high — it’s worth the extra cost to make sure everything is legally buttoned-down.
— Michele Petry
Should you buy a home? Or keep renting? We weigh the pros and cons of each.
Selling a home is complicated enough without having to worry about a lien. Here’s what to know.
Buying land is different than buying a house.
Be prepared for closing day with this checklist.
Even when you sell in as-is condition, you still have some obligations.
The term single-family home seems self-explanatory, but there’s more to it than you think.
Before buying in a flood zone, it’s important to know the risks and costs involved.
Living in an HOA community comes with certain rules and limitations. Here’s what to know.
Austin is a popular real estate market with many cash-homebuying options.
Home prices in Ohio are well below the nationwide median price.
Selling a home isn’t free. Here’s a breakdown of the cost to sell in Ohio.
An income of $160K will give you more options than other house-hunters.
Real estate auctions are complicated, and can be very competitive.
Prices and mortgage rates are high, while sales are slowing.
Maryland is densely populated and highly priced, especially in the D.C. suburbs.
How does extreme weather impact the rising cost of real estate?