Joshua Ferris

Townhouses used to conjure up images of small, cramped spaces that were inexpensive and for many a "first home only" option. Nowadays however new townhouses rival their single family brethren in size and amenities.

Not all that long ago the concept of buyer agency (a real estate agent representing the buyer only in a transaction) was relatively uncommon to the real estate industry because, at the time, most agents represented the sellers of property or both parties. Buyers of real property were in need of a real estate professional to represent their needs exclusively and buyer agency was born.

With inventory piling up and home buyers now faced with multiple home choices in the same neighborhood, the first impression your home makes is more important than ever. It's no longer acceptable to pass off unfinished projects to home buyers in hopes that the buyers will overlook the flaws in favor of your home's more positive characteristics.

After the real estate market hit a steady decline in mid 2006, home builders turned to incentives as a way to attract home buyers to their communities and to help differentiate themselves from the competition. When you start looking for a new home be sure to compare builder incentives as much as the communities themselves.