Realty Network
Consumer Guides
Provide professional guide 消费引导General education, not legal, tax, or financial advice — talk to a professional before you decide.
Can I afford it?
Pre-approval vs. pre-qualification, and how lenders set your budget.
Who you need on your team
Agent, lender, inspector, escrow — who does what, and when to bring each one in.
Financial prep checklist
Credit, down payment, reserves, and documents to have ready before you start.
The offer process
Contingencies, earnest money, and multiple-offer situations.
Inspections & due diligence
What to check before contingencies expire.
Closing costs
Typical 1.5–3% buyer costs, and how to budget for them.
Renting
租房Lease vs. month-to-month
Flexibility vs. stability for tenants.
Tenant rights & deposits
Habitability, rent control, and security deposit rules.
What landlords screen for
Credit, income, and rental history.
Reading a lease before signing
The clauses worth checking first.
Leasing
出租Residential vs. commercial leases
How the rules and protections differ.
Triple-net (NNN) leases
Who pays for taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
Lease renewal options
Negotiating terms before you sign.
Becoming a landlord
What a lease needs to protect you.
Renovation
装修Renovate or rebuild?
Comparing cost and scope before you decide.
Budgeting a remodel
Typical cost ranges and how to phase a project.
Permits & code compliance
What actually requires a permit.
Renovating without moving out
Living through a project, room by room.
Rebuild
重建When a tear-down makes sense
Structural damage that forces a rebuild.
Rebuild costs & timeline
What to budget beyond construction itself.
Design & permitting from scratch
Architects, plans, and approvals.
Financing new construction
Construction loans vs. traditional mortgages.
Maintenance
保养A seasonal maintenance checklist
What to check each season.
HVAC & filters
Simple habits that cut your utility bill.
Sealing & weatherproofing
Preventing water damage and drafts.
Budgeting for upkeep
Set aside 1–4% of home value a year.
Money Saving
省钱Lowering utility bills
Insulation, sealing, and smart habits.
Refinancing basics
When a lower rate is worth the cost.
Property tax basics
Assessments, exemptions, and appeals.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Where it’s worth paying for expertise.
Investment
投资Cash flow & cap rate
The two numbers every investor checks first.
The BRRRR method
Buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat.
Single-family vs. small multifamily
Where most beginners start.
Building a reserve fund
Planning for vacancies and repairs.
Tax Strategy
税务策略The 1031 exchange
Deferring capital gains on investment property.
1031 exchange timelines
The 45- and 180-day rules.
Depreciation basics
How real estate lowers taxable income.
Capital gains on your home
The $250k / $500k exclusion for a primary residence.