As the parent of a child heading off to college, you'll want to give them as much independence as possible to ensure they are prepared for the challenges of living alone. However, the excitement of moving to college can often mean that your child forgets about the logistics of the move itself. Therefore, if you want to give your child the last bit of assistance they need before setting off on their own, consider the following tips for helping prepare them for moving day:

Going home shopping for the first time is quite the experience. It can be fun, but it can also get to be exhausting--especially when you're touring multiple homes for sale in one day. The last thing you want is to waste your time on a home that hasn't been well maintained or that's going to give you problems down the road, so it can be helpful to learn how to spot some common red flags.

If you have just bought a property in a planned development with a homeowners association, you may not be sure how the association will affect you. Typically, a homeowners association (also commonly referred to as a HOA) has rules about lawn maintenance, pets and other issues. These rules are in place to help protect the values of properties in the development and contribute to the overall well-being of those who live there.

When you're relocating to accept a new job or promotion, you may be excited about putting down roots in a new location. However, if you purchased a home during the recent real estate bubble, you may still be tied to your current location by an albatross that can't be sold for enough to pay off your mortgage. If you don't want to rent out your home, but can't afford to carry two mortgages at once (or rent in your new location while owning a home elsewhere), you may be wondering whether you have any other options.