Blog
Loan Options with Low Downpayments
U.S. economists expect 2015 to be a strong year for housing. What this means to you is that more homes are selling and the supply of available homes is decreasing. This also means that prices likely will increase. If you’ve…
5 Ways to Increase Your Credit Score
Scorrrrrrrre!!!!!! Celebrate a World Cup of Your Own You may not make it to the FIFA World Cup this year in Brazil, but you can still score big by improving your FICO or Vantage credit score. There’s no way around…
Expand Your Space with a Garage Makeover
For most of us, the garage is simply a place to park the car, store suitcases and holiday decorations, or stow those miscellaneous tools we need now and again. With a little careful planning, however, your garage can become a…
Create a Timeless Kitchen with the 4 Cs of Kitchen Design
Nothing says “dated” like a kitchen trend from a decade ago. Consider giving your kitchen a makeover using timeless elements that are always in style. That way, no matter when you sell, your home is always ready. Color The simplest…
Is Your House the Right Investment to Fund Retirement?
For many people, your home is your largest asset. Like your parents, and grandparents before them, you expect your home—in some way—to fund your retirement. For some of you, that means selling the home near retirement and using the funds…
Tax Tips for New Homeowners
Congratulations on your new home! Whether a condominium, cooperative apartment, single-family home, townhouse or mobile home, your home-sweet-home affects your tax status. If this is the first year you’ll be filing your taxes as a homeowner, there are a few…
Energy Conserving Landscaping Tips
As you plan your landscaping for your new home, remember the green you plant outside affects the green you have left inside your pocketbook. Trees and shrubs can reduce the amount of electricity your home requires. Try these tips to…
Rearranging Deck Chairs on the Titanic
Okay, so it’s not the Titanic. It’s your new house and you can’t seem to make your older furniture fit. Buying new furniture is out of the questions, so how do you make your round pegs fit into those square…
When to Get Pre-Approval for a Mortgage
If you’re even considering purchasing a home in the next year, the time to start the pre-approval process is now. Why so early? Here’s some advice to get you on track to a smooth purchase transaction. While you don’t want…
9 Ways to Celebrate Independence in Your New Home
No matter when you close on your new home, there’s probably a holiday just around the corner giving you the perfect opportunity to host a party in your new digs. With Independence Day coming up, here are some ideas for…
Is Seller Financing a Good Idea?
In this current market, with home prices trending up, but access to financing is more difficult post housing bubble. So, if you want to sell your home, is it a good idea to offer seller financing? What does seller-financing mean?…
Creating Summer Buyer Attraction
Summer is a great time to invest in outdoor upgrades and indoor options that make your home appealing to buyers. After months indoors, homebuyers respond quickly to outdoor amenities when scoping out homes to buy. Creating outdoor living areas and…
Little Decorator Details That Can Hinder Your Home Sale
We get it … you want your home to be uniquely you … you want it to express your personality … you want colors that make you happy! But wait! Now you want to sell this home and move on…
Is Flipping Houses a Good Idea These Days?
Just ahead of the housing bubble, flipping houses was an investor pass-time. As home prices started to rise, many would-be real estate moguls bought houses to flip hoping that the prices would increase enough in a six-month period for them…
How Important are Rain Gutters to Home Maintenance?
If you’ve owned a home for a while, you know that water entering the home can be at least a hassle and at worst a cause of major destruction. Not only should keeping water from sneaking into those tiny cracks…
Three Home Safety Features You Should Keep Up To Date
In the midst of all the summer activities, there are a few things you should add to your to-do list to keep you and your family safe in your home. Here are three: Fire Extinguishers If you don’t have a…
How to Avoid Being House Poor
Buying a home is exciting. If you’re young, it gives you the sense of finally stepping into the adult world. If you’re at some other life change (marriage, starting a family, empty-nester) the idea of a larger (or smaller) space…
Your True Colors
Much of the fun of owning a home is decorating it to your taste and personality. Even on a low budget, subtle or dramatic changes to color can make your home truly yours. Check out these color schemes for this…