Blog
Selling Your Home Over the Holidays
Keeping your home on the market over the holidays can be a tough call. Many experts think that it is not worth it because sellers will seem desperate. Most offers coming in over the holidays are generally lower than asking…
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…
How to Choose Lights for Your New Home
It’s not just about wattage anymore. Light fixtures and light bulbs come in myriad types, sizes and colors. Do you want LED? Should you use “soft” bulbs? And what is the difference between watts and lumens? With the phase-out of…
Turning Your Home into Your Retirement Plan
It is a very good idea to include your home and buying a second home in your retirement plan. Now is a great time to buy, so even if you are not quite to retirement age, why not buy now…
Real Estate Terminology: Closing Costs, the Fourth in a Series
Closing costs include all of the fees and costs associated with completing the sale or purchase of a home using a mortgage, that are in addition to the actual cost of the property itself. These costs are due at the…
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…
Celebrate Thanksgiving Stylishly in Your Home
Thanksgiving traditions in your home can create some of the best memories for years to come. We can all think back to our childhoods and remember certain foods, dishes, games, or ways to give thanks. We grasp onto the wonderful…
Pesky, But Potentially Costly Home Maintenance
If you’re new to home ownership, you may not be familiar with all of the responsibilities that are now yours. All of those things you used to call the super or management office for now fall in your lap. Here…
First Things First … Choosing Your New Neighborhood
With all of the tools available online and off for finding your new home, you can spend lots of time thinking about the type of house you want, planning how many bedrooms, what type of flooring, what appliances come with…
Pesky, But Potentially Costly Home Maintenance
If you’re new to home ownership, you may not be familiar with all of the responsibilities that are now yours. All of those things you used to call the super or management office for now fall in your lap. Here…
Downsize to Upgrade
Whatever your reason for wanting a smaller home—empty nest, tired of cleaning, less mobile, closer to grandkids, moving from the suburbs to be nearer to work, single again—downsizing does not mean downgrading. In fact, when moving into less space, make…
Real Estate Terminology: Loan Types, the Fifth in a Series
When it comes to real estate loans, you’ll find that there are many options. Figuring out which loan or loans are best for your new property purchase can be confusing, but we can help. Here are some types of loans…
Do you Want to Buy an Older House?
With many older neighborhoods experiencing revitalization, an older home might be a smart investment. So, whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to flip a house for cash, an older home in an established neighborhood might be perfect for you.…
Getting a Mortgage for Self-Employed
Prior to the new banking regulations, getting a home mortgage if you owned a business, worked freelance, on contract or were otherwise self-employed was possible, if complicated, using stated income, bank statements and other alternatives to W2 income statements. New…
How to get Clean Sparkling Windows
The warming days of spring are the perfect time to bring some light and air into your home. Whether you are planning to sell your home now or sometime in the future, having clean bright windows gives a home a…
Can I Afford to Be a Landlord?
According to Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), multifamily rent growth should level out to its long-term average performance as interest rates increase. That does not mean that investing in a multifamily property is a bad idea,…
How to Make Your Living Room Flow
One of the first decisions you make in your new house is where to place your furniture. In the living areas, furniture placement can make or break your home’s “flow” or ease of movement. A sofa placed just two feet…
Apple Watch and other Smart New Home Products
Not just relegated to the workspace or entertainment, home technology products focus on every room in your house. Check out these smart-home products geared to make your life easier: Apple Watch useful apps for home In addition to your social…