Springtime is traditionally thought of as “home-buying season.” It just so happens that it’s also time to file your taxes and hopefully get a refund. According to statistics from tax year 2022, roughly two-thirds of taxpayers received refunds, with an average amount of $3,200. For anyone saving up to buy a house, this is welcome news. You can definitely use that tax refund for a down payment. There are also some other ways to use the money you get back that can help make buying your next home a bit easier.

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There is no denying that the preferences of home buyers can vary widely. One person might be looking for a quiet single-family home with a big private yard for gardening and entertaining, while another person might want to be in a more walkable area in the hustle and bustle of a city. 

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Moving to a new city can be overwhelming, but once you’ve closed on your new house and the furniture has been delivered, it can also be exciting — especially if you’re now calling St. Louis home! Take a break from unpacking and get out and enjoy all of the sights, sounds, and tastes the city has to offer. There are so many things to do in St. Louis, you’re sure to find something to please everyone in your household.

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If you plan to move in the near future, it doesn’t make sense to sink a lot of money into home updates you won’t be able to enjoy for long. It’s also not a good idea to invest in projects that won’t boost your home value when it’s time to sell, or give you a good return on your investment.  

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Buying your first home can be exciting as you start a new chapter of your life, but selling your first home may be a different story. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average first time home seller has lived in their house for about 10 years by the time they decide to move on. At this point, owners may be ready to upgrade, and in the process of finding a new home. Or, they may need to move for work, or due to family issues. Any of these can add a layer of stress to the selling process. 

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Congrats! Your house is selling for substantially more than you paid for it! That’s a good thing… or is it? There are some scenarios when selling a home will come with hidden fees and tax liabilities.The IRS may want a chunk of the profits in the form of capital gains tax. But there are ways that homeowners can avoid taxes on home sales.

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After budgeting how much to spend on a home, buyers can be thrown for a loop when asked if they’d like to add a home warranty at closing. An extra expense can seem like a lot — especially when its benefits are not clear. But the truth is that in some cases, a home warranty can actually save money and offer great peace of mind. If something goes wrong once the keys are in hand, having a home warranty makes repairs affordable.  

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With houses still selling so fast, it’s easy to wonder if staging is even necessary. The answer is absolutely, especially because today’s buyers are ready to make a purchase quickly. If they look at two homes on the same day — and can see themselves living in one but not the other — there’s no question that they will choose the one they can visualize as their own. In fact, according to a 2023 report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), some buyers will even offer up to five percent more for a staged home compared to similar homes on the market that were not staged. 

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The time leading up to a new home purchase can be confusing and stressful. Between saving up for a down payment and worrying about how much the closing costs will add up to, the last thing anyone wants to think about is the possibility that a new home might come with worn out appliances or a ticking time bomb of a plumbing system. One way to combat the stress of additional unexpected expenses when buying a new home is to consider a home warranty.

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Buying a house is a great investment, but it’s also a big investment – and the purchase price and closing costs are just the start. There are lots of things to buy for a house that you may not have needed when living in an apartment, but now that you have more space, a yard, and rooms you didn’t have before, those things are essential. 

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