If you’re selling your home, there are a number of things you can do to improve your property’s potential value and appeal. Creating curb appeal is one of the most effective and easy ways to accomplish this and to increase the interest of potential buyers in your home. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways […]

When it comes to a home, you have two options: buy or rent. What is right for one person may not be right for another, which is why it’s important to know which is the best option for your individual situation. Why People Rent There are a number of reasons why someone may either choose […]

Always dreamed of renovating a home exactly to your specifications, or have you found an older house that is structurally sound but needs a lot of work inside? Perhaps the price is right and you can’t resist all that house you can get for your money. Whatever the reason, buying a fixer-upper can be both […]

A home is a place where we create precious memories with those that we love, which is why photos are a big part of what makes a house into a home. Pictures have a way of transporting you to another time and place through memories that are forever recorded and can be framed for all […]

While it may be nice to have a home with five bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, and a four-car garage, how many of us really need this much space? The best approach is to look at a few particular aspects of your life and lifestyle to make the right choice. What Is The Size Of Your Family And Will It Grow In The Near Future? If you are a newly married couple who plan on having children, purchasing a family home with ample room to grow may be the right choice for you. Childless couples, retired couples, or singles may want to rethink the large home and opt for something a little more size appropriate. Do You Need Office Space Or Like To Entertain? If you use your home primarily to meet your daily needs, such as a place to sleep, eat, and relax, you may want to consider a home with a large den or office space and a formal dining room. Do You Plan To Stay In Your Home Long-Term? If you are just entering the housing market and plan to live in several houses or in several locations throughout your life, you really don’t need your dream home the first time around. Buying a property that suits your lifestyle for the period of time you will live in it is your best strategy. These are just a few considerations you should take into account when finding the right sized home for you and your family. Having a clear picture of the type of house you need will make the task a little easier, and keep your finances in check!

Now that you’ve made the decision to purchase your first home, a hearty congratulations is in order! Becoming a homeowner, especially for the first time, can stir up some feelings of anxiety and excitement. With the knowledge that you gain through individual research and the help of your REALTOR®, you will soon begin to feel like a seasoned house hunter. Did you know that there are a number of incentives available to first-time home buyers? Everything from a 3-5 percent down payment and interest rates as low as 5.25 percent are just a few of the ways that lenders help to make the dream of home ownership into a reality for many. An FHA loan, for instance, is especially appealing to first-time home buyers. The best way to find out what’s available, in terms of down payment requirements and interest rates, is to do your homework by comparing offerings from various lenders. Tip # 2: Save Money Although many loans are geared toward offering lower down payments to first-time home buyers, it’s important to save as much money as possible sothat you will have enough to provide an earnest money deposit (if applicable), pay for closing costs and still have the funds to furnish and decorate your new home. Tip # 3: Get Your Credit Profile In Order When you apply for a loan, the lender will access a copy of your credit report and will use the information to determine your credit worthiness and/or interest rate. This means that you will want to make sure that the information contained in your credit report is accurate and up-to-date. You can do this by requesting a copy of your file from each of the three major credit reporting agencies – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. In addition to past credit history, lenders will also look at your current debt ratio in order to determine whether or not you can afford the home. This means that you may want to consider paying down some of your existing credit card debt and avoid taking on any new debt before applying for a mortgage. Tip # 4: Start Your Search With the World Wide Web being what it is today, it’s no surprise that many potential home buyers start their search online. A Realtor’s Web site is designed to not only list real estate, but also to educate a buyer as they move through the process of searching for a new home. In addition, the internet offers a way for consumers to browse through color photos and virtual tours, both interior and exterior, along with information pertaining to the homes themselves. The convenience of being able to find a home that you like without having to wait is just one of the many benefits to shopping for a house online. When you are finally ready to meet with a REALTOR®, you will already have one or more prospects in mind. Tip # 5: Have Patience Perhaps you will find the perfect house this week, or maybe it will take a little longer. Some buyers find exactly what they are looking for right away, while others have to do a little more searching to find their dream home. As a first-time home buyer, it’s a good idea to begin the process with an understanding that good things really do come to those who wait. You may see a number of homes, take numerous photos and may even make an offer or two, but patience may very well be the key to finding your new home. Tip # 6: Take Notes If you see a lot of homes, it will be impossible to remember the features of each. For this reason, you should consider taking a notebook and writing down each unique or defining aspect that you like or dislike about a particular house. This information, along with any photos that you take, will help you greatly when it’s time to make a choice. Tip # 7: Don’t Settle A home is a big investment and it could, quite possibly, be the largest you will ever make. For this reason, along with the fact that you will be living in the home every day, make sure that you get what you want. There could be an instance where you need to make some type of compromise, but you may want to avoid choosing something just because it’s within your price range or you feel as though it’s your only option. New houses are placed on the market every day and, as a buyer, the next one listed may just be your dream home.

There is a reason the term “location, location, location” is used so commonly within the real estate industry. The location of a property is one of the most important considerations when selecting a home, as it will affect the value of your home, your day-to-day life, and even your own and your family’s safety. So what can you do to find out a little about the area in which you are considering a home purchase, and what in particular should you be looking for? Know Your Needs   The biggest obstacle to finding a home in an area that can meet all of your needs is not knowing clearly what those needs are. While it may be nice to live near the lake, or by your favorite restaurant, what is it that you and your family will need and want in order to have an enjoyable and functional lifestyle? Facilities such as grocery stores, good schools, and community centers may be necessary for families, whereas access to theaters, good restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife may be important to young professionals. Get The Info   When searching for your dream home, knowing where to look before starting out can help make the task easier and faster. So before getting started with the house hunting, do a little neighborhood hunting first. There are a number of resources online, from municipal Web sites to forums, that you can use to find out about prospective areas that may be right for you. Contacting a real estate agent is also another great resource in finding an area that can meet your needs. Check It Out For Yourself   All the research in the world can never replace experience, and if you are planning to purchase a home you will want to be sure the location is right before making what will likely be the biggest investment of your life. Taking a walk in the area, trying out the local facilities, and getting to know some of the locals can really help you to determine whether the area will be a fit for you and your family. You may also want to check out the area at different times of the day, or even the year, if these are considerations that may affect your happiness in your new home. A little extra work can really mean not only choosing a home that is right for you, but making sure it is in an area that can meet all of your needs.

Before you begin, pick your paint colors carefully.  You may love one color, but will it go well with your furnishings, carpeting, and your decor? Choosing with care can save you a frustrating and costly re-do. Use water-based latex paint for was in application and cleanup. Buy the correct paint for the surface you are painting. Certain surfaces require specific products. Before you dip your brush in, assemble every item that you will need. Be sure you get enough paint for the entire job…you don’t want to have to take your paint-smeared self back to the store in the middle of the job. If you settle for the cheapest brushes and rollers, you’ll likely get brush hairs and roller fuzzies all over your walls. Plastic drop cloths or old sheets are a must!  Yes, you will make a mess. Have a large damp cloth handy for wiping up small drips and mistakes while they are still wet. Prepare the surfaces your painting. Fill cracks and holes, and lightly sand old paint so new paint will adhere. Paint in this order: ceiling, walls, trim.  Remember, paint drips down. Have a stepladder handy. Tape all window edges, trim and carpet edges.  You will thank yourself for this once you start cutting in with the brush.

Buying a home is an exciting and thrilling time.  It can also be stressful and full of uncertainty.  Your home is likely the largest asset, thus it is common to have a lot of questions throughout the process. How much home can I afford?  How much home you can afford depends on your income and your monthly financial obligations. Before you begin searching for a home, it is best to speak with a mortgage professional to determine your maximum purchase amount. Can I buy a home and sell my current home at the same time? Buying a home before selling your current home can be tricky.  Often, to qualify for the home that you’re buying, you need to sell your current home so that you are not hit with the monthly debt. However, that would put most people in a precarious position of not having a place to live.  Finding a short term rental is always an option, so is making an offer contingent upon the sale of your current home.  Timing the purchase and sale of each property is the key to successfully buying a home while selling your current one. How many homes should I see before making an offer? That depends.  If you absolutely fall in love with the first home you see, make an offer!  Most buyers have that sense of “home” when you walk into a place and it is the right one. If you have to look at one home or ten, you will know when it is the right home to make an offer on. How do I know if a property is a good deal? The best way to determine if a property is a good deal is to study the market.  Review recently sold homes in the area so that you have an understanding of what homes are selling for in that area. Also consider the features and amenities of that particular home in comparison to other nearby homes. Ultimately, if it checks off many of your needs and wants, and is similarly priced to other homes in the area it’s a good deal for you! How fast can I close? Typically, the time to close can range anywhere from a couple of weeks to as long as 45 days. This all depends upon if you are paying cash or using a loan. Ask your mortgage professional if using a loan to find out how fast they can close the loan. Should I get a home inspection? It is always recommended that you get a home inspection when buying a home. A home inspector will check out the roof, heating and air, electrical and plumbing. Their job is to ensure that these major systems of the home are in working order, so that you avoid unnecessary repairs right after you close.  If some things are not up to par, you can negotiate with the seller to get these items fixed before you close. Can I back out if I change my mind? Yes.  Purchase contracts provide many contingencies for buyers.  For example, if the home inspection reveals items of major concern then the buyer can back out for that reason without penalty. Same goes for an appraisal that comes in low and neither buyer or seller are willing to budge on the purchase price. However, if you decide to back out outside of a contingency, you may be forced to relinquish your earnest deposit.

Moving can be a stressful time, however, there are several things that you can do to make your move a smooth one. If you know that you’re moving ahead of time, it’s a good idea to start packing as early as possible. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and, unless you have to be out in a hurry, it’s better to take your time and remember every little detail now than to find yourself with the moving blues later. A Little Goes A Long Way If at all possible, pace yourself when packing. It’s better to pack a little at a time and make sure that nothing is forgotten than to hurry and try to get everything done within a day or two. It’s easy to forget to have your address changed, turn off your phone, internet, water and/or cable service, so take the time to make sure every little detail is ironed out now so that you can enjoy your new home later. Have A Moving Sale Get rid of everything that you don’t need by having a moving sale. If you haven’t used it within a year, sell it. Otherwise, you will just end up with the same clutter in your new house as you’ve had in the one you’re leaving behind. Plus, the more you sell, the less you will have to pack and move. Not to mention, moving is expensive and there’s nothing wrong with earning a few extra bucks whenever possible. Create A Packing List It will help you to remember things much easier by writing them down on paper as they come to mind. A packing list can act as a shopping list, which will remind you of the things that you need to remember. Pack Lightly Moving day is hard enough, so don’t make it any worse by loading down your arms with too much weight. If you pack lightly, it may cost you a little more footwork, but your body will thank you at the end of the day. Pack Smart Because of their design, boxes are easier to carry and provide an effective way to keep everything stored safely in its place. Rather than just piling everything into the car or U-Haul and hoping for the best, take the time to pack everything carefully (especially breakables) inside of a box. What will not fit, such as furniture and other household essentials, should be tied down and placed in a moving truck. Furniture pads are also a good idea to prevent damage during the move. Make sure you label each box with the contents of each box along with the room it will go in at the new home. This will make unpacking more efficient and save you loads of time.

We all know that summer brings to mind relaxation, vacation, and rest—but we also know that it can get hot! Here are a few tips on keeping cool in this summer… COOL-DOWN TRICKS FOR THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS Spin it: Ceiling fans are an excellent way to keep everyone cool, and they’re beautiful as well. […]

When it comes to entertaining outdoors, there’s no place quite like your very own backyard. Many families enjoy the warm summer weather by spending as much time outside as possible, and one way of doing that is by making it a fun place to be. Get Out Your Grill The smell of a freshly grilled […]