Author: Marlowe Clark

What Is A Quitclaim Deed?

A quitclaim deed is one type of legal document used for transferring property from one owner to another. But unlike most property transfer deeds, it doesn’t make the grantor liable for any future actions against the title to the property. It transfers all the assumed ownership rights from the grantor to the grantee but with no assurances as to what the transferred property rights are. A quitclaim deed action takes very little time because a title search is not required, but this also means it comes with no guarantees that a property is free of liens or encumbrances.

Quitclaim deeds are most commonly used in family matters. A common use of a quitclaim deed would be to move property from one family member to another or into a trust. They’re also effective for simply removing a spouse from the title or a homeowner giving up the title in order to add a new spouse to the title. Alternatively, quitclaim deeds can be a simple way to clean up title errors by removing names that show up in title searches in error.

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Ideal Spots For Security Cameras

Investing in home security cameras is a good way to protect your peace of mind, but a camera is only as good as its vantage point. For a home security system to be effective, you don’t need to record every square inch, but you should be sure to cover the strategic choke points. Here are the high-priority zones to maximize your home protection.

The main entrances. A surprising number of intruders simply walk right through the front, back or side doors. Position cameras above these entryways, angled downward to capture clear facial features.

    Ground-floor windows. Ground-level windows are vulnerable weak spots. Placing cameras with a wide field of view near these windows deters break-ins before they start.

    The driveway. Vehicles are prime targets for nighttime theft. A sturdy outdoor camera equipped with strong night vision ensures your cars remain protected under a watchful eye.

    Transitional spaces. Intruders must move through your home to find valuables. Placing indoor cameras in main hallways or stairwells guarantees you track their movement even if they snuck past an exterior lens.

    Common living hubs. Central areas like the living room often house your most expensive tech, from televisions to laptops. Monitoring these high-traffic spaces keeps your highest-value assets covered.

    Remember to keep personal privacy in mind. Keep cameras out of private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms, and ensure your outdoor lenses do not point directly into a neighbor’s house or yard. Also, to get the best results, mount outdoor cameras at least eight feet high to prevent tampering, and angle them just below any exterior lighting fixtures to avoid blinding the lens.

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    Kelley Blue Book Expands Into Home Valuation Industry

    Kelley Blue Book is a brand well-known for valuations of new and used cars. In partnership with True Footage, a home appraisal technology company, Kelley Blue Book will start providing valuations for homes as well. The public launch is expected in August in ten states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. The plan is for Kelley Blue Book Homes to be available nationally in 2027.

    Contrary to many other lead generation platforms, Kelley Blue Book Homes will charge agents a variable subscription fee based on market conditions and number of ZIP codes serviced, rather than a flat percentage of commissions. The expectation is that the agents using the service are more likely to be experts within their geographical area. For consumers, Kelley Blue Book Homes will be completely free to use.

    Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

    More: https://www.realestatenews.com/2026/07/07/kelley-blue-book-now-in-the-home-valuation-game

    The Real Estate Industry Must Be Both Stable And Adaptable

    It seems paradoxical to think stability and adaptability can both be important simultaneously — perhaps they’re two different strategies, but how can they come together? The reality is that sticking to what you’re used to doesn’t work in a constantly shifting industry, and adapting to changes doesn’t get you ahead unless there’s some baseline of predictability. Neither strategy works on its own, so the industry needs both.

    For a long time, the multiple listing service has been the rock that agents rely on for cold, hard data. While this is still true, buyers and sellers also increasingly have access to this data. This shifts the narrative — buyers and sellers now rely less on agents for data, and more for the things that the MLS doesn’t tell you. This includes regulations, local trends, and insights drawn from experience.

    This doesn’t mean the MLS isn’t important anymore. It’s still the source of all that data, and without it, agents, buyers, and sellers would all be lost. What it does mean is that success in the real estate industry — for both agents and their clients — relies more than ever on a deep understanding of local expertise. In also means communication between agent and client is both more important and also easier. A smaller gap in knowledge means the process is less of a black box for clients.

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    More: https://www.rismedia.com/2026/06/12/why-stability-matters-in-an-industry-that-never-stands-still

    Google Partners With HouseCanary To Add Listings Directly To Google Searches

    Last year, Google began partnering with HouseCanary — an AI driven real estate brokerage — for a pilot program to deliver real estate listings directly to viewers via simple Google searches. The pilot program was initially only available in eight major markets, but this summer, will be expanding to all fifty states.

    Unlike standard Google searches, which take data from wherever they can be found, this data will be sourced directly from a multiple listing services to ensure as much accuracy as possible and comply with regulations. Not all MLSes are participating, though, so only data from participating MLSes will be available. Currently, these are My State MLS, California Regional MLS, and San Diego MLS, but Google and HouseCanary are hoping to get more on board.

    The goal of this program is to increase discoverability. Right now, potential clients looking to buy or sell can find information about homes for sale via sites such as Zillow or Trulia, but these sites don’t direct them to an agent — or if they do, it’s an agent that paid these companies to promote them, not necessarily the agent with the relevant listing. With this program, there will a button allowing searchers to directly contact the listing agents.

    Photo by Agence Olloweb on Unsplash

    More: https://www.realestatenews.com/2026/06/11/google-to-serve-up-real-estate-listings-nationwide

    Home’s Style Doesn’t Look Right? Maybe You Need To Find Your Personal Style

    Many people look to their friends and social media for inspiration for home decor, as well as personal style. Then they take bits and pieces of what they find, try to redecorate or reinvent, but find that it still doesn’t look right. The problem is that other people aren’t you.

    That doesn’t mean you should ignore your inspirations. But it does mean that you need to figure out why they appeal to you. What do the styles that interest you have in common? Once you figure this out, don’t just borrow the interesting bits. That’s not a coherent style. Build your own. Try creating a moodboard that represents you.

    Also remember that this is only one step in the process. You’re not going to find the perfect fit immediately, and may need to swap things out multiple times. This is especially true if you’re looking to redecorate your home as well as reinvent yourself. You’ll need to keep in mind wall colors, accents, and decor type, as these can all affect your home’s value down the line.

    Photo by laura adai on Unsplash

    More: https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-my-aesthetic/

    Don’t Forget About Summer Maintenance

    When thinking of summer, most people typically think of good weather. But good weather for humans doesn’t necessarily mean good weather for buildings. Rising temperatures can take their toll on equipment and even your home’s structure. Make sure to keep up your home’s maintenance during the summer.

    During the summer, many people will want to use the air conditioner as well as various outdoor equipment such as sprinklers, hoses, lawn mowers and grills. Before the heat intensifies, make sure everything is in working order. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter to improve air quality and efficiency, and ensure any equipment you want to use is ready for the summer.

    Winter may have brought with it cracks or gaps. If you didn’t already do so during the spring, the advent of summer is a good time to check all around your home for any cracks or gaps that may have developed. Seal any gaps in walls to keep the cool air inside, prevent structural problems and stop unwanted pests entering. Also check for cracks in the driveway; you don’t want these to get any worse. Make sure to check for gaps around windows, and while you’re at it, ensure that they’re working properly. If you don’t already have any, invest in blinds, shades, or curtains, which can help keep your home cool.

    Clean your gutters and drains to ensure maximum outdoor drainage, and remove any standing water. This can get forgotten about during the summer, as people are thinking of sunny days. But sudden unexpected showers of rain aren’t all that uncommon in summer, and can do some damage if your house isn’t ready for it.

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    Common Home Types And What They Mean

    If this is your first time buying a home, you may be surprised to find out that there are actually distinct terms for several different types of homes. You’ll want to know what these terms mean, so that you can look for the right type of home for you.

    Single-Family Home: Your standard traditional “house,” often with a backyard and possibly a garage.

    Duplex: A single building divided into two separate homes, each with its own entrance. A duplex usually has one owner owning both units.

    Townhouse: A multifloor house that shares walls with adjacent houses but has its own entrance. The adjacent houses typically do not have the same owner.

    Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): A secondary house or apartment on the same lot as a larger “main house.” ADUs can be attached or detached.

    Mansion: A huge, impressive house, often with high-end amenities and lots of private land. There is no single legal definition, so there is some subjectivity.

    Apartment: A private residence within a building or complex of other residences, often rented from a landlord or company. If one needs to disambiguate, a single residence could be called an apartment unit, while all residences taken together are called an apartment complex.

    Condo(minium): As above, but a condo is owned rather than rented.

    Cabin: A small, simple house, often in a remote location and typically built from natural materials like wood.

    Tiny Home: A very small, cozy, minimalist dwelling that maximizes efficiency in a small space.

    Co-Op: This is more of an ownership arrangement rather than a type of home in which residents own shares in a corporation that owns the building rather than owning it themselves.

    Modular Home: A house built in sections in a factory and then transported to a site for final assembly. This could be several of the other types as well.

    Mobile Home: A portable house with wheels, such as a caravan or trailer.

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    What Is A Buyer Agency Agreement?

    When a buyer and an agent enter into an agreement for the agent to represent the buyer in the purchase of a home, that agreement is called a buyer agency agreement. A buyer agency agreement usually spells out the duties the agent has towards the buyer in finding and closing on a home.

    It is important for the buyer to make sure the right conditions are outlined in the agreement. The buyer can participate in negotiating the terms of the agreement, and the buyer has no obligation to continue working with the agent if the agent is not performing per the agreement.

    Buyer agency agreements have typical term lengths of 90 days but can be negotiated for any length. A buyer can specify the kind of property being sought so the agent keeps on track during their search. The terms of the agent responsibilities should also include negotiating on behalf of the buyer and making sure the sales transaction successfully closes.

    Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

    How To Make The Most Of Limited Backyard Space

    A small backyard doesn’t necessarily mean you’re limited with what to do with the space. You may not have the luxury that a larger garden has in terms of creating multiple zones, but there are still many ways to make the most of your yard, turning it into another inviting part of your home.

    Some excellent yard features don’t take up much space. Flower gardens can simply border fences or sit in raised beds. You can also use climbing plants or wall-mounted planters. L-shaped seating is a natural fit for corner spaces, maximizing the space efficiency of your seating. Water features also don’t need to take up much space — even a small container pond will attract wildlife, making your backyard feel closer to nature.

    Rather than make your yard feel larger than life, an alternative is to lean into the small size of your space to create a more intimate feel. You can dedicate a small yard to comfort with the right arrangement of items. A compact chair, a small table and some soft planting can create a retreat that feels intentional, regardless of whether or not you actually use it. Low walls, trellises or hedging can help define your backyard without closing it in. By framing the space, you can create structure, making a small garden feel purposeful.

    Photo by Tile Merchant Ireland on Unsplash

    Your Deal’s Closing Date Matters

    The day of the month that you close on the purchase of your home is important and should be part of your contract negotiations. Whether you want to close early or late in the month depends whether you want to save money or ensure the process goes smoothly.

    Mortgage interest is paid in arrears. The amount of prorated interest that you will pay at closing will be determined by the day of the month you close. A later date in the month means less interest paid as part of your closing costs. For example, if you were to close on May 30, then you would only pay two days of interest plus the interest due for June. Your first payment wouldn’t be due until July 1.

    Because of these savings, 95% of closings occur at the end of the month. What this also means is that title and escrow companies are not as busy near the beginning of the month, and the closing process tends to go a bit more smoothly.

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    How To Avoid The Things That Push Buyers Away

    Selling your home isn’t just about highlighting its best features. It’s also about removing the things that turn buyers off. Even small details can make a big difference in whether your property feels move-in ready or neglected.

    The biggest thing to avoid is out of date, worn, or unmaintained home features. Maintaining your yard is a big boost to curb appeal, and ignoring it is a big downgrade. Worn out carpets signal a lack of maintenance, so your floors should be recarpeted or replaced with wood or tile. Buyers may even notice out of fashion styles for doorknobs, faucets, or cabinets.

    You should also avoid making your home look too personalized. You want your buyer to be able to imagine themselves living in the space, not glimpse how you are living there. Keep personal effects out of view and remove clutter. Some staging is useful, but it should be neutral, not overly personal or polarizing. The same goes for paint colors — many buyers will repaint anyway, but you want them to be able to focus on the home itself, not your design choices.

    Photo by Don Kaveen on Unsplash

    Could You Live In An Earthship Home?

    An Earthship home is a home built around sustainability. These types of homes are built to work with nature rather than against it. The concept dates back to the 1970s, born during the early environmental movement. They’re often made using recycled and natural materials, be it old tires, glass bottles or reclaimed wood, combined in clever ways to create a strong insulating house.

    Anyone can pile up tires and wood in a vague house shape, but what sets Earthships apart is how they function day to day. They’re designed to collect their own energy using solar or wind power, harvest rainwater and naturally regulate indoor temperatures through smart design rather than relying on heating or air conditioning. Many even include indoor growing spaces, allowing homeowners to grow herbs, fruit or vegetables year-round.

    Sustainability sounds great, but Earthship homes aren’t for everyone. You can’t build an Earthship home just anywhere — they work best in moderate climates. Tropical or arctic conditions can just be too much of a strain on the house. Also, they can take a lot of work to keep them functioning, so you’d need to be able to expend the time and energy to keep them running.

    Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash

    Buying Your First Home Is Easier If You Remain Calm

    Buying your first home can feel overwhelming without the right preparation. It doesn’t need to be, though. If you do your research and manage your expectations, you’ll be able to make better choices. All you need is a good plan.

    Start by figuring out what you need and what you can afford. Consider what you really need not just in a home, but in a neighborhood, and plan ahead for the future. For example, good schools might be more important if you’re planning to have kids soon, even if you don’t have any right now. Look at your income, savings and ongoing expenses to determine a comfortable budget. This includes not just the purchase but also life after moving in. Homeownership comes with regular costs such as utilities, maintenance and repairs, so it’s wise to leave room for the unexpected.

    A professional support network can help you every step of the way. They’re not just here to sign the legal documents and be done with it. Your real estate agent can guide you through viewings, offers and negotiations, while professionals such as inspectors and appraisers can help uncover potential issues before you commit. Ask about local housing markets, typical prices and how competitive things are. You can also visit neighborhoods yourself to reveal details you won’t see in listings alone.

    It’s also important to stay grounded. Yes, you should be excited about the home you’re about to buy, but you need to temper your expectations as well. Your first home doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to work for your life right now while setting you up well for the future.

    Photo by Shashi Chaturvedula on Unsplash

    Staging Your Home Is Worth The Investment

    Many sellers skip staging their home, either because they think it’s not worth the time or money, or because they want their home to feel lived in. This might be sound logic if the staging is bad, but if you get your staging done well, it’s definitely worth it.

    A competitively priced home that has also been staged to appear move-in ready will help justify its listing price. A positive first impression will motivate agents, who will put your home at the top of their list when showing properties to their clients. Successful staging will give your home an edge over the competition without having to compromise on price. It can sometimes feel like it’s just an added cost, but it’s actually an advertising investment.

    It’s true that when you stage your home, it’s marketed in a more neutral way. This can feel like it’s lost its personality. But a properly staged home should actually help buyers more easily visualize themselves living in your home. It does this by helping define spaces and room sizes and giving every room a purpose. Remember that the buyer isn’t you — they want to imagine themselves living there, not you living there.

    Photo by Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash

    How To Prevent Burnout During The Busy Spring Season

    Spring is a busy time for real estate, and is a busy time for many other people as well. For years, we’ve been taught to manage our time better to improve our mental health and well-being. But time is fixed, making it difficult to manage completely. You should instead focus on managing your energy, since how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally determines how well you use the hours you have.

    The most important thing to pay attention to is yourself. Notice the patterns in your energy throughout the day and across various different types of tasks. Not everyone has the same amount of energy at all points during the day, and might respond differently to different tasks. Energy isn’t just about avoiding exhaustion; some tasks totally drain you, while others can take the same amount of exertion but make you feel energized. This is the same principle that separates introverts from extroverts — not necessarily enjoyment, as people tend to believe — and can be extrapolated to many categories of activity.

    Once you know more about yourself, you can choose activities that match your patterns of energy levels. Find one or two habits that genuinely restore you. Don’t try to force yourself to do more when the task that you’re doing is draining you right now. Instead, take a break from it and do something that’s likely to be energizing for you in this moment. That way, you’ll be able to focus better on the initial task later and likely complete it in a much shorter time. Breaks are intentional investments in your energy levels, not laziness or rewards for hard work, and shouldn’t be caused by burnout.

    Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

    Using Landscaping To Increase Your Home’s Value

    As we enter spring cleaning season, consider cleaning up not just the inside of your home, but the outdoor space as well. It’s easy to forget that a few smart landscaping updates can go beyond just transforming your outdoor space; it can also add value to your home. Here are some ideas to improve both the look and the value of your home.

    Native plants, especially trees, are an excellent addition. Plants that naturally thrive in your local climate will need less nurturing, attract pollinating wildlife and blend seamlessly into the natural landscape, creating a low-maintenance, visually appealing space. Trees in particular have a significant impact on home value for many reasons. It helps to create a sense of privacy, allows for shaded areas in the hot summer months, and can make the outdoor space feel generally more interesting and intriguing to potential buyers.

    Think about all the various ways you use your outdoor space, and consider breaking up large spaces in your garden into defined spaces. A gravel dining area, a paved fire pit corner, or a shady hammock nook are clear examples of usability that help buyers imagine themselves in the space. Installing edging between the lawn and flower beds helps keep the garden looking neat and well cared for.

    Consider upgrades that are both functional and visually appealing. If the concrete is starting to crack, replace it with stepping stones, gravel, or reclaimed brick. Artistic arrangement of these features can also serve as a guide for buyers. Outdoor lighting helps to make the space feel usable beyond daylight hours as well as creating a sense of safety and security.

    Photo by Declan Sun on Unsplash

    How To Balance Priorities When Searching For A New Home

    The secret to making sure you are buying the house that is best for you is knowing what your basic needs are before you proceed, and what are simply things that would be nice to have. In order to do this, remember that many wants can be achieved later if basic needs are met. Once you decide what you can live with and without, you can budget accordingly.

    Basic needs include health and safety items, which should be your first priority. A solid foundation and floors and walls without defects are important features for safety and are difficult or costly to fix later. The condition of your HVAC is also a health concern, though that can be repaired. Good location is also a priority, despite not necessarily being a safety concern, since that can’t be changed later. Anything else on your list would be want-to-haves rather than need-to-haves. For example, you can later change paint, countertops, and fixtures or do remodeling.

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    Is An A-Frame House Right For You?

    A-frame houses, with steeply pitched roofs and an unmistakable triangular shape, evoke mountain getaways and cozy weekends by the fire. But beyond their looks, A-frames offer a surprising amount of practicality, making them an appealing option for both full-time living and weekend retreats.

    One of the biggest draws is their simplicity. Their A-shaped roofs naturally shed snow and rain, making them ideal for harsh winters or stormy weather. If you expect this sort of whether where you are living or plan to live, it might be a good thing to consider. And you don’t even need to budget for it — because of their straightforward structure, they’re often more affordable to build than many traditional homes, especially if you opt for one of the increasingly popular prefab or kit versions.

    Inside an A-frame home, you can expect high ceilings, plenty of natural light and a sense of openness, despite their relatively compact footprint. The upper levels can often include lofts perfect for sleeping, reading or stargazing. A-frame homes typically have a rustic-modern aesthetic, which lends towards a retreat-like atmosphere even if it’s your full-time home. It’s also a great home for rental income.

    Of course, they’re not for everyone. Your privacy can be limited, and the unique shape can require creativity with furniture placement and also means less square footage upstairs.

    Photo by Dmitry Ganin on Unsplash

    Consider Timeless Home Decor

    Some home decor trends burst onto the scene only to disappear without a trace. They may be popular and fetch a high sales price now, but if you aren’t selling now, it might be a waste. Fortunately, a few design choices have real staying power. If you’re looking to decorate with longevity in mind, here are some ideas for timeless home decor.

    Use natural materials. Linen, wool, stone, and solid wood never fall out of favor. Natural look is always in, and sometimes even looks better with time. A linen sofa or marble-topped side table won’t feel dated even as color palettes and accessories evolve. For wood, darker tones have stood the test of time more than lighter wood tones.

    Whether they’re vintage or newly handwoven, high-quality rugs in grounded neutral tones can provide the perfect accent to any type of room. Their craftsmanship helps them withstand daily life, while their subtle patterns make them adaptable to changing fashion trends.

    It may seem paradoxical, but if you don’t want your decor to feel dated unintentionally, make it feel dated on purpose. Vintage pieces and heirlooms are great at this. Even a single vintage chair or well-loved table will do. Old-style craftsmanship or an item with history have a certain charm that modern pieces can’t easily replicate.

    Utilize subtle textures and patterns. Walls with subtle texture can introduce dimension without overwhelming a space. Textures such as grass cloth are highly versatile. Stripes, be they on upholstery, pillows, curtains or walls, remain forever popular. Paired with simple, clean-lined furniture, they can create a balanced look that never feels overdone.

    Photo by Tile Merchant Ireland on Unsplash