TOP TIPS FOR HOUSE HUNTING ONLINE

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all.  Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of yourContinue reading "TOP TIPS FOR HOUSE HUNTING ONLINE"

WHAT TO NEGOTIATE WHEN BUYING A HOUSE

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying a home? Closing costs. Your closing costs are determinedContinue reading "WHAT TO NEGOTIATE WHEN BUYING A HOUSE"

PRIORITY TASKS FOR YOUR MOVE IN

Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first. Change the locksEven if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can neverContinue reading "PRIORITY TASKS FOR YOUR MOVE IN"

HOW TO CHECK YOUR HOME FOR AIR LEAKS

We’re well into the fall season and winter is right around the corner. This is the time of year when it’s especially important to make sure your home is properly sealed. Air leaks can make it difficult to keep your home properly heated and can lead to high utility bills. Here’s quick guide to checkingContinue reading "HOW TO CHECK YOUR HOME FOR AIR LEAKS"

WHICH DOWN PAYMENT STRATEGY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders. But there can actuallyContinue reading "WHICH DOWN PAYMENT STRATEGY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?"

UPSIZING YOUR HOME

Unfortunately, our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn can quickly become too small as families expand and multiple generations live under one roof. Remodeling and adding to your home is one option for creatingContinue reading "UPSIZING YOUR HOME"

FINDING THE RIGHT MATTRESS

Labor Day weekend is approaching and so are the WILD AND CRAZY Labor Day Mattress commercials! According to a HOME & LIVING article by by Suzy Strutner  titled, "What Nobody Tells You About Buying a Mattress," [posted on 01/09/2015 and Updated Sep 11, 2017], "there is indeed a 'cheapest' time to buy." Targeted Holidays are Memorial Day, Fourth of July,Continue reading "FINDING THE RIGHT MATTRESS"

ORGANIC FOOD ON A BUDGET

At the age of 13 our youngster said, "I saw the wrong video on YouTube and now I don't want to eat meat!" Since the rest of us enjoyed meat we didn't ask which video she saw. Instead, we catered to what we thought might be another teenage phase, but lo-and-behold here we are onContinue reading "ORGANIC FOOD ON A BUDGET"

SHORT SALE AND FORECLOSURE: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s aContinue reading "SHORT SALE AND FORECLOSURE: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?"

MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR HOMEOWNERS

When you own your home, things are going to break and, unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix them yourself. Luckily, you don’t need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. These five tools will cover most of your basicContinue reading "MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR HOMEOWNERS"