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 been thinking of buying a home, now might be the time even if you haven’t […]
Keeping Your House Show Ready
Having your house on the market while you’re living in it can be a stressful time. You still have to live. The dog still puts muddy prints on your freshly mopped floor. The kids still race down the hallway bumping into your freshly painted walls. Construction down the way still lays that fine layer of […]
Relocating Made Simple
Okay, there’s really not a simple way to relocate … after all, you’re uprooting yourself, moving away from friends or family or both, leaving your comfort zone and launching out into the world. But, there are some things you can do to make it less stressful for yourself and your family. Each year, nearly 20 […]
Can You Purchase Your Home During the Government Shutdown?
If you are in the process of purchasing your home and are worried about the government shutdown, recent news from Freddie Mac may have you sleeping a little better. The announcement, effective October 8, 2013, allows lenders to use signed federal tax returns as income verification rather than a tax transcript for loans, loan modifications, […]
Considered Making Your Home in Two Houses?
Even if you love your home and have not thought about buying a second one, you may reconsider after learning about the tax breaks available to those who own a second home. Many politicians and celebrities use their ownership of several homes to ease their tax burden and so can you! Buying real estate is […]
DIY Renovation Tips
If you’re thinking of buying a fixer-upper for the first time, whether to live in yourself or to flip, doing some of the renovations yourself can be satisfying and economical. You’ve watched plenty of television shows where novices remodeled a house in two or three days, so how hard could it be? But, before you […]
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 holes? Make a plan Literally … make a floor plan. This can be a rough […]
Monochromatic Decorating Ideas
The use of a single color, or range of shades in a color gives your home a sophisticated designer appeal. Do you have to hire a designer to achieve the look? No, you can do it yourself if you keep these things in mind. Respect the Hue In other articles, we’ve talked about the difference […]
Preparing Your Home for Winter
With November just around the corner, winter weather is on its way. Now is the time to get the jump on cold weather and winterize your home. Whether you are selling your home or you are a new homeowner, it is a good idea to keep these things in mind: Clean your gutters During the […]
How Oil Prices Affect the Housing Market
Most of us rejoice when the prices at the pump go down. To use that means freed-up cash in our personal economy. When we’re consider buying or selling a home, however, the price at the pump can impact our bottom line in ways we don’t realize. Local economy When the local economy relies on income […]