Blog
What a Credit Score Really Means
As one of the least understood numbers homebuyers deal with, their credit score confuses many would-be buyers. So, what does your credit score really mean? Firstly, understand that a credit score is not a credit score is not a credit…
Quick Tips for Adding Resale Value
When you’re in a hurry to sell, you need top dollar, try some of these tips: Have us evaluate your home. As real estate professionals, we know what sells and what doesn’t and we can help you spend your money…
Easy Update: Chalky Painted Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re hesitant to purchase an older home because you don’t love the kitchen or bathroom cabinets and the idea of having to sand all of that wood makes you cringe, fear not … chalk paint to the rescue. You…
5 Tips for Millennial Home Buyers
Realtor.com has predicted that 2017 will be a hot year for millennials in the real estate market. Millennials are beginning to reach those milestones in life that drive people to buy a home – specifically, getting married and having kids.…
Don’t Think of Your Home as an Investment…What?
Isn’t that sacrilegious or something? Despite evidence to the contrary, new homebuyers continue to believe that buying a home is the same type of investment as stocks, bonds, CDs and their 401K. If the housing boom taught us anything, it…
Making a Move to a New Home with Kids
Amidst the excitement of moving to a new home is a lot of stress for families with younger children. Often they don’t understand what is happening. That can make them feel powerless and afraid. Here are some ideas for turning…
Housing Trends for 2017
If you’re considering buying or selling a home in 2017, it’s advisable to know what to expect as you dive into the market. Here’s a look at what some experts are predicting for the coming year. Mortgage rates are expected…
Cleaning to Sell
When getting your home ready to sell, spending some elbow grease cleaning can save you some money and make your home more attractive to buyers. Here are a few of the items to try. Cleaning Painted Walls When cleaning painted…
When to DIY and When to Hire a Contractor
Whether you’re preparing your home to sell, or you’ve just moved into your home and want to tackle some of the changes you have in mind to make it your own … knowing which items to do your self and…
Should You Buy a Second Home?
Having a second home in a favorite vacations spot can be a great investment or an expensive luxury. A beach cottage or mountain retreat is enticing while both interest rates and home prices are low. How do you decide if…
Marketing Your Home Out-of-Town, Out-of-State, Out-of-Country
In a tough sellers’ market, homeowners looking for the best possible sale sometimes consider marketing to out-of-town, out-of-state and even out-of-country buyers. So, how do you attract buyers from out of your area? Relocation Services Statistically, homes most often sell…
11 Common Real Estate Terms Explained
If you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll probably come across some terms that you’ve never heard before, or don’t completely understand. Being confused about the terminology can make an already complex process that much more stressful. By educating yourself…
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…
Getting Ready to Sell
As we head into 2017, you may be thinking that this is the year to finally put your house on the market. And when you do, you’ll want it to sell quickly for the best possible price. Here are our…
How to Sell for Full Price
Often, homeowners try to “test the market” with a higher than fair-market price when first listing their home. That can be a poor marketing strategy. When your agent tries to talk you out of it: Listen! Setting “too high a…
Backyard July 4th Celebration!
Celebrate your new home with a backyard barbecue! Nothing speaks independence like owning your own home. If you’ve rented for most of your adult life, the freedom to paint walls, barbecue on the patio or hang party lights in trees…
What Homeownership Can Mean for You
When you’ve never owned your home, your relationship to it is less personal. Let’s face it, when something goes wrong in your rented apartment, you call the landlord or manager to fix it. You don’t worry about insurance against natural…
Disappointing Appraisal?
You’ve found the perfect home at the perfect price and made an offer that the sellers accepted. But, the appraisal came back lower than your offer. BUMMER! What do you do now? Any home financed through a bank or mortgage…