The Appreciation of Property

I'm often asked what type of housing appreciates most quickly: single-family house, town home, condo, co-op, or multi-family building. As frustrating as it seems, the answer depends on where you live, and what other types of homes are nearby.

If you live in a neighborhood filled with condominiums, your condo should appreciate at the same rate as all of the other condos in the neighborhood.

Traditionally, single-family homes appreciate faster than any other type of housing. But, if you live on a block of multi-family apartment buildings, your single-family home won't appreciate as fast as a nearby block that is entirely composed of single-family residences.

Of course, it's not just the housing type that has an impact on appreciation. The precise location of your property on the block, the neighborhood and school district that you've chosen, and even the aesthetics of your block (granted, purely subjective), add to and subtract from the overall value.

For the best appreciation, choose a neighborhood that either has a great mix of housing types, or is fairly homogeneous.

Ilyce Glink is the bestselling author of 100 Questions Every First Time Home Buyer Should Ask, and is the Managing Editor of Right at Home Daily.

see more>>



Figuring Out Where You'll Be in Five to Seven Years

Do you know where you'll be in five to seven years? Whether you're a first-time buyer, or are planning to trade up or down, the amount you spend, type of mortgage you get, kind of house you select and whether you move at all should depend on how long you expect to stay in your new home.


It's easy to dream. It's a lot tougher to make real-life decisions based on what you have to spend and what's on the market. Barbara Buchholz, former editor of House & Garden Guides Magazine and co-author of Porch Style and the New Homeowner's Handbook will provide you with information to help you figure out what kind of home is really right for you and make your dreams a reality.

Figuring Out Where You'll Be in Five to Seven Years
Identifying Priorities For The House Hunt
Becoming Selective When Purchasing A Home
How Much Can You Afford?
Determining Future Costs: Maintenance and Upkeep


Hunting for a home can quickly become confusing and frustrating. Should you use an agent or house-hunt on your own? How can you choose the right neighborhood? In this section, Lisa Skolnik, city editor for Metropolitan Home magazine and co-author of Porch Style will help you find information that can help you get moving in the right direction.

Choosing the Right Neighborhood
How to Prepare for the House Hunt
Finding the Right Agent or Broker
Should You Do It Yourself or Find an Agent?
Developing "Vision"
Matching Your Wants and Needs to What's on the Market
Working With A Buyer's Agent


If you're looking for the perfect home, forget it. Every house, including one that's just been totally renovated or newly built, will need a dose of TLC as time goes on. If you're willing to live with and correct these imperfections, you may be able to create real value that translates into a nice profit when it comes time to sell. Jim Sulski, real estate development and home improvement contributor for numerous publications including the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business and Consumer's Digest offers some guidelines.

Buying a Gut-Job
Needed Renovations and the Purchase Price
Buying a Fixer-Upper
A Multi-Family Building