Anyone who has bought a home will tell you: it can be a long, drawn-out process. Sometimes what seems like a done deal, even going into escrow, can backfire and you have to start shopping for a home all over again. For the sake of your finances and your loan, hold off any moving plans until all the closing documents are officially signed.

When listing your home for sale, you want to use the right words to generate the right kind of interest. Over at Trulia, a few real estate agents weigh in on which words you should avoid.

Home burglaries increase around the holidays for obvious reasons: You're gone, and your house is empty and vulnerable. While you're away, you want to make sure your home is as secure as possible, and part of this means making it look like someone is actually there even when you're not.

Several years ago, my wife and I were in a bit of a personal bind. We lived together in what was about the tiniest two-bedroom apartment you can imagine, with a small baby and another one on the way. We were already forced into being pretty creative with arrangements with even one baby in the home, but two? It was pretty clear that we needed a bigger place.

After saving up for a long time, I recently bought a home, which caught some of my friends off guard. "I thought you were anti-homeownership," they said, because I think renting is underrated. Even as a homeowner, I still think renting is underrated. That doesn't mean buying is a bad decision. The rent vs buy debate is just silly overall. It ignores the enormous grey area that exists between the two options.

Usually, when someone sells something big like their home, they have a good reason for it. Sometimes it's harmless, but it could also be a warning sign for buyers. Be sure to ask before you sign.

The house I grew up in had a pretty limited square meterage, something I notice every time I visit my parents. It's essentially a two bedroom house with what amounts to a storage closet converted into a third bedroom when absolutely needed. The living room is very small and the kitchen is pretty tiny as well.

You might not own your place, but you still want it to feel like home. Problem is, a lot of apartments are bland and cookie-cutter. As a renter, you can't exactly take down a wall or upgrade the appliances in your kitchen. There are, however, a few easy, landlord-friendly upgrades to make your rental feel more like home.

Here's a weird way lifestyle inflation creeps in: through your home equity. According to research, the more your home's value increases, the more your budget stretches, and you don't even realise it.