WHAT ARE CRICKETS? Crickets tend to be nocturnal and are generally characterized by slightly flattened looking, light brown to dark brown colored bodies and long antennae. Only the male cricket can “chirp” and does so by rubbing its hind legs against a forewing with between 50 to 300 ribs on it.… read more →
It’s the American dream for the upwardly mobile: owning two houses. The first, to live in; the second, a place to unwind on the weekends or vacations, preferably on a beach or in the mountains. But for some people, owning a second home is the American nightmare. Paying for two… read more →
Older homes are a dime a dozen. We see them all over our area. Many yearn to tear them down and build a new “oldie but goodie”. These builders want features of older homes, but updated. If you are one of the lucky few who have one of these older… read more →
With Spring cleaning right around the corner, you may want to make note of these areas most people overlook when cleaning their home 1. Cruddy Undersides of Rugs What to do: Move furniture, fold over the rug, and vacuum dirt and dust from its underside. Sweep and mop the floor,… read more →
Whether you are buying your first home or selling a home and moving into another, a home warranty could be a valuable protection for your finances and your peace of mind. Many buyers opt to purchase home warranties, which average $350 to $500 for a basic warranty and $100 to… read more →
You might be ready to buy a home, but are you armed with the knowledge you need? Do you know about credit score requirements? Are you familiar with flexible standards on Federal Housing Administration loans Whether you are a first time homebuyer or an experienced owner, buying a house requires a “pre”… read more →
You’ve mastered the need for air freshening with one of those aerosol cans of being whisked away with one whiff. Only, the bad odor slowly permeates the air again and you are back on the prowl with the can again. Not being able to get rid of the appalling smell… read more →
Traditional investments are delivering low returns, and home prices are at bargain levels. Is it time to consider buying some rental housing? Investing in real estate right now can be surprisingly profitable, if everything goes well. Rents are climbing in many areas, and more properties may be coming on the… read more →
Short or time or money (or both) but still want to help your local animal shelter? There are lots of ways to help local animal shelters without investing a ton of time, money or energy. Here are smart ways that you can make a big difference. Spread the word Hang… read more →
There’s no doubt about it: Lenders have tightened the guidelines they use to evaluate loan applications. That means borrowers who want to refinance their mortgage to take advantage of low interest rates may wonder whether they will qualify for a new loan. This summary should help you understand what lenders… read more →