The emergence of sustainable energy and products have solidified the go-green movement. Solar energy and electric cars are just the tip of the iceberg.

The impact of products on the environment has become a significant measure about their value. Those same principles are also being applied to homes. Smart homes and energy efficiency have a direct correlation to home values and listing prices. That’s why homeowners and home builders alike have an eye toward sustainable trends. These are some of the top-ranked home trends.

It can be a stressful experience to put your home on the market and wait for offers in the hope that you've priced it right. However, for those who are considering selling to family members, the sale of a home can be fraught with just as much stress before and after sealing the deal. If you're wondering if it's a good idea to sell to a family member, here are some things to consider beforehand.

Tesla may have become the famous brand it is for the creation of the electric car in 2008, but it has since burgeoned into a company that has diverse ambitions for how we utilize energy. Recently, Tesla has moved into the business of solar roof panels, which have become a hot commodity on the market with their green ethos and energy savings. If you're curious about solar power and want to know the details on this product, here are some things to consider before buying in. 

The Details On Tesla's Solar Panels 

With the recent release of Tesla's solar roof panels, many homeowners interested in green energy have flocked to this new product for its innovation and famous brand. According to Tesla, these panels will last for approximately 30 years or as long as the house stands at 1/3 the weight of regular tiles. Utilizing a tempered glass to make stronger roof panels and solar cells created in conjunction with Panasonic, the connectors for these panels have been created to last through every kind of weather condition. 

The Install Involved 

The installation of Tesla solar panels is estimated to take approximately 5-7 days and is expected to be easier than a regular solar panel install. According to Peter Rive, CTO and Co-founder of Solar City, "We have learned a lot about installing solar from over 300,000 installations so we took all that and included that into the development." Fortunately, because of the lightweight quality of these panels, they can be installed without any changes to the structure of the roof they're placed on. 

 Picture yourself out for a drive one weekend. You see a sign that says:

New Construction Homes! Models Starting At $XXX,XXX Next Right!

Maybe you’re actively looking for a house, or maybe it’s just a spur of the moment urge, but you follow the signs to the model home. You park. You walk into the model home. The builder’s sales rep asks you to please sign in. You sign in. Ouch. You may have just made a costly mistake...

It’s Not Like I’m Buying One...

Most people don’t think twice about signing in when they visit a model home. They figure, what’s the harm? It isn’t like I’m signing something to actually buy one. I just want to take a look, and it’s not like they’re asking me to sign my life away. But sometimes you do end up buying one. You get the bug. You fall in love. You picture yourself in this lifestyle. Next thing you know, you’re making an offer on the spot. Or, maybe you leave, but you can’t stop thinking about it the whole ride home so you decide you’re going to buy one. Either way, if you decide to buy one, having signed in with the builder, you may have signed away your right to involve your own real estate agent represent and advise you.

Under Montana law 33-25-105 & 111, “Title insurance policy” means a contract by which, subject to its stated terms and conditions, a title insurer insures or indemnifies the insured against loss or damage sustained by reason of:

• defects in or liens or encumbrances on the title to the stated property:
• Unmarketability of the title to the stated property; or
• Invalidity or unenforceability of liens or encumbrances on the stated property.

A title insurance policy is not an abstract of title or representation as to the condition of title to the stated property.

Common terms and definitions:

According to the NerdWallet's Home Buyer Report, 82% of millennials say buying a home is a priority—but saving for a down payment can be a challenge. According to a recent article from Redfin, the top concern among first-time millennial home buyers is saving for a down payment. Instead of delaying the process though, this younger generation is just doubling down on their saving efforts.

Homeowners are well aware that peripheral costs swell over time and can put a strain on incomes. Utility bills increase, home insurance creeps up annually and taxes rise with the cost of schools and road repair.

That’s why many communities have enacted homestead exemptions that can help stabilize and even lower tax bills in some cases. Although these exemptions are not well publicized, knowing how they work and how to apply could save you a good deal of money.

There’s an idea running through marketing and business circles that anything that is popular, the opposite will likely be popular as well.

Consider that sugar and caffeinated beverages such as Coca-Cola have seemingly opposite products like Coke Zero. That product, in turn, is offset in the marketplace by high-sugar, high-caffeine energy drinks such as Monster and Red Bull.

When buying a home, there are certain steps a buyer should go through before the home sale is official. First the buyer makes the offer, then the offer is accepted.

Next the buyer schedules the inspection and home appraisal. Finally, everyone is ready for closing.

It’s easy to overlook the impact of some of these steps, but when it comes to a mortgage, the home appraisal is actually quite important. Banks want to see that they are lending money for an investment that is worthwhile, so that appraisal is a crucial step to getting financing. Here is what buyers need to know about how the appraisal could affect their mortgages.

This summer, quality homes are being scooped up almost as fast as they're being listed - and for top price. Yes, it's a seller's market out there, which is great news if you're planning to list your home. Conversely, for those looking for a home, it can be frustrating and aggravating.

Frustrating as it may be, there's plenty of reason for buyers to stick it out until they get an offer accepted. For starters, interest rates are still fairly low. And secondly, there are great homes out there if you act fast enough. So how can you successfully get that dream home in a seller's market? Here's a look:

Choosing The Right Movers Can Save You Time And Money

It can be overwhelming to choose a moving company if you are buying or selling your home. There are usually numerous ads for movers offline and online. Determining which company is the best fit can be tricky. Fortunately, doing a little research can help you find the right mover. If you are looking to compare movers, you have come to the right place. Here are some tips to get started. 

Are you looking to buy a new house in the near future? If so, one of the choices you will face is constructing your own brand-new home or buying an existing home. The idea of building a new house on the right piece of land might sound enticing, but what if you could have a larger, more luxurious existing home in the same neighborhood for a much lower cost?

Investing in real estate is one of the oldest means of building and storing wealth. However, it is only just recently that "flipping" of houses – buying at a low price, renovating and selling at a higher price – became popular. For many, house flipping has become a full-time career and their primary source of income.

Are you in the market for a new home? If you are planning on borrowing some or most of the home's purchase price, you'll want to prepare yourself for the mortgage process. Let's take a look at four key questions that you will want to ask your mortgage professional when you first meet to discuss your home loan.

There were days when the marketing of a home involved plunking a sign into the front yard, but with the power of the Internet, there are many mediums through which home sellers can find potential buyers. If you’re currently looking at ways to use the power of social media in order to get your ideal purchase price, here are some things you can do to best harness its capabilities.