Authors
Steve Nicastro

Steve Nicastro

Managing Editor

Steve Nicastro has been part of the Real Estate Witch team since 2021. He brings a unique consumer-first perspective to the platform, and with three years under his belt, Steve has become a trusted voice for readers seeking clarity and empowerment in their real estate decisions.

Steve's path to becoming Managing Editor at Clever Real Estate was paved with real-life experiences as a real estate consumer. His hands-on approach in Charleston, SC, where he closed over $6 million in transactions between 2020 and 2021, has given him a deep understanding of buyers and sellers' challenges and victories.

He previously worked as a personal finance writer for NerdWallet for over six years. His insights have been featured in prominent publications like the Associated Press, MarketWatch, and USA Today.

When he's not writing or thinking about real estate, Steve can often be found embracing his passion for golf at the local course, sipping on ice coffee at Starbucks, channeling energy at the gym, or enjoying quality time with his family.

Expertise

  • Real estate commission
  • Selling a house without a realtor
  • Finding a realtor
  • Cash home buyers
  • Home value estimates
  • Real estate investing
  • Rent to own homes

Media appearances

Featured Published Articles

  • Our guide breaks down everything you need to know about a comparative market analysis (CMA), including what goes into a CMA report, how to create one on your own, and how to get a free CMA from a local realtor.

  • What is it? | How to calculate it | FMV vs. appraised value | Tax assessed value | FAQ | Why trust us If you're buying, selling, or refinancing a property, one term you'll hear often is fair market value, a concept essential to making a smart move. Fair market value is the price a…

  • How to use it | How does it work? | Should I trust it? | Redfin accuracy rate | Pros and cons | Alternatives The Redfin home value estimator is one of the most accurate home value estimators online. But when we tested it, its estimates were still often off by thousands of dollars. Redfin…

  • If you sell your home conventionally, you'll typically pay a 3% real estate commission to the two agents who handle your transaction: your listing agent and the buyer's agent. That equals a 6% total commission.

  • How it works | Step-by-step guide | Real example | Pros and cons | Bank of America alternatives | FAQ | Why trust us Home value estimation is essential for various purposes, including buying, selling, and refinancing a home. A home value estimate is typically determined by a real estate agent or a professional appraiser, taking…

  • How does PennyMac work? | Should I trust it? | Step-by-step guide | Pros and cons | Real example | PennyMac alternatives | FAQ Home valuation determines the worth of a property by considering various factors such as location, size, condition, and recent sales of comparable homes in the area. A home value estimator is…