Why now’s the perfect time to replace appliances. The temps are starting to drop; the smell of wood smoke is in the air. Temps are more chilly than warm. That’s when veteran homeowners know it’s time to do these six things if they want to avoid grief or overspending. #1 Buy Appliances Whisper to them. […]
Shades of tan were all the rage for years. It was impossible to find a home that had any ‘modern’ paint styles when wood finishes and brown decor were everywhere. Over the last half decade, there was a major shift to sleek white or gray walls paired with metal finishes. While it seemed like that […]
What Is The Goal Of Staging Your Home? When the real estate market turns sluggish, you may have to take steps to set your home apart from others. It won’t be enough to just put out a for-sale sign and wait for potential buyers. One way that homeowners can sell their homes more speedily is by home […]
Today’s housing market is full of unprecedented opportunities. High buyer demand paired with record-low housing inventory is creating the ultimate sellers’ market, which means it’s a fantastic time to sell your house. However, that doesn’t mean sellers are guaranteed success no matter what. There are still some key things to know so you can avoid costly mistakes […]
Fall is right around the corner, and a new season is a perfect opportunity to update and refresh your home—including changing up your paint colors. Painting is an affordable way to breathe new life into your home. But, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can also be a messy, tedious process. Luckily, there […]
You need a new car. You need a new home. But will buying the former impact your ability to buy the latter? A recent article from realtor.com outlined the ways taking out a car loan could impact your ability to get a mortgage (and to get the best rate on that mortgage), including: Changing your credit score. When […]
Fall’s cooler temps are perfect for deck and yard improvements. Ah, September. The weather is changing, and we’re getting back to our normal, post-summer routines. It’s also a great time to give the house a little extra love and maintenance. Stain the Deck Help your deck field what winter throws at it by re-staining it this month. […]
Between low inventory and high buyer demand, there’s no denying that we’re in a seller’s market. But just because it’s a seller’s market doesn’t mean that every house is guaranteed to sell—although you wouldn’t know that based on what people are saying. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions going around about selling in […]
The housing market forecast for the second part of this year remains positive, but there may not be a better time to sell than now. If you’re wondering what to consider when deciding if now is the time, here are some things to think about: 1. Your House Is Probably Going To Sell Quickly Homes […]
Think you’re not ready to unlock home ownership yet? That the hurdles are too high? You may be short-changing yourself. Many of the things renters believe about home-buying are myths. Here’s the real deal. Myth: I Have to Put Down 20%. Saving 20% of the price of a home in many places isn’t just a challenge; […]
When buying a home, it’s important to have a budget and make sure you plan ahead for certain homebuying expenses. Saving for a down payment is the main cost that comes to mind for many, but budgeting for the closing costs required to get a mortgage is just as important. What are closing costs? According to Trulia, “When you close […]
Go ahead and get that energy audit. And schedule snow plowing. Take a few minutes out of your pool time this month to do these four tasks. Then you’ll have more time to eat popcorn in front of the fire next January. #1 Call the Snow Plow Now If you live in snow-prone areas, now’s […]
It’s your yard — yours to do with as you wish. And while that’s great, that doesn’t mean you have to be one of those people who spend every spare moment in their yard, sprucing it up. But, still, your landscaping could use a little something. But something easy. Here are five totally doable projects that your budget […]
You know: Like taking advantage of your nice, cool basement. #1 Organize the Basement The two most common types of clutter? Old clothes and seasonal items. Just the kind of stuff that winds up in the basement. So this month, face your messy basement head on. Not only will you regain space, but you’ll also […]
Everyone who is getting ready to sell wants to make the most money possible in the process. While you may see a great deal of value in your home, that love you’ve created doesn’t always translate to financial gain. The best way to actually increase the value of your home and therefore your potential profit […]
If you’ve only ever rented before, the necessity of a home warranty may be unknown to you. As a renter, you are used to a landlord who will fix any issues you run into – but that all changes when you become a homeowner. Now, when a water heater breaks or the fridge starts to […]
An increase in foreclosure rates will inevitably bring with it an increase in short sales. But what is a short sale? A short sale happens when you sell your house for less than your remaining mortgage balance, the proceeds of which go to the lender and in return the lender forgives the remaining balance. Selling […]
After living in a home for several years, it can be easy to discover things you may not be crazy about. While some things can be a quick fix, there may be major changes that make you wonder if it is worth the investment. At this point, you’re probably asking yourself if you should remodel […]
When selling your home, your first thought may not be keeping potential buyers happy. With all the moving parts of home sales, it can be easy to forget that the little things truly do count – especially when it comes to the happiness of potential buyers. Yes – your home can probably sell itself as-is, […]
As May comes to a close, school ends and the summer officially begins, that means one important thing – home selling season is upon us. With the kids home from school and vacation time accumulated, both buyers and sellers are ready to enter the market as the weather heats up. As the market begins to […]
Many people are sitting on the fence trying to decide if now’s the time to buy a home. Some are renters who have a strong desire to become homeowners but are unsure if buying right now makes sense. Others may be homeowners who are realizing that their current home no longer fits their changing needs. To […]
The homebuying experience can vary in length for everyone, but the ending should be smooth no matter how long (or short) it takes you to get to the finish line. Like with any process, there are some steps you can take to make the end much more seamless. One of the first things you can […]
If you ask a loan officer, “What kind of lender is best?” the answer will be whatever kind of company he works for and he will give you a list of reasons why. If you meet the same loan officer years later, and he works for a different kind of lender, he will give you […]
How To Make Your Offer Stand Out In today’s market, it’s not uncommon to be in competition with several other buyers for your dream home. When you find that perfect house, with the chic chandelier and the doggy door for Fido, the last thing you want to do is lose it because your offer didn’t […]
While it might be your goal to keep your home show-ready at all times, that isn’t always possible. It is completely normal to have a home that feels lived in – especially if you are living in it! This isn’t a major issue, but something to be aware of if you are getting ready to […]