With the real estate market heating up, it appears that American homeowners are ready to start remodeling again. After years of decline, home-improvement spending increased 9% last year and will probably turn out to have surged by the double digits this year, according to studies. Planning to get in on… read more →
Great. Now that you’ve already moved in — lease signed and sealed — the landlord starts acting nutty. He stops by. He asks too many questions. He knows when you leave the lights on, where you leave your shoes and who you’re dating. Or, worse, it turns out he has… read more →
If you’re in the market for a new home, there’s a lot to consider: price, neighborhood, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the lot and the home’s condition, to name a few. But have you taken into account the local school district? Even if you don’t… read more →
An improving housing market is great for the economy but not necessarily for first-time homebuyers. According to studies, mortgage rates rose from 3.49 percent in May up to 4.69 percent in August. While rising mortgage rates certainly make transactions more expensive, they shouldn’t deter your purchase. Here are five ways you can buy… read more →
Veterans Day was originally established to honor Americans who had served in World War I. The national holiday is celebrated on November 11, the anniversary of the day World War I ended in 1918. Today Veterans Day honors veterans of all wars for their patriotism and willingness to serve in… read more →
A real estate agent’s job entails more than assisting clients with the nitty-gritty details of buying or selling a home. Good agents also tour as many homes as possible. Knowing the local inventory gives them an edge over the competition and provides great value for future buyers and sellers because those agents know… read more →
How often do you really use your home phone? It’s a question many families are asking in a day and age when budgets are squeezed tighter and everyone seems to have their own mobile phone. It wasn’t that long ago when the idea of getting rid of your home’s land… read more →
If you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge and buying a home, the last quarter of 2013 might just be the time to do it. Rates on fixed-rate loans are still appealing, and experts say it’s still cheaper to buy than rent. Some financial institutions are also a little more… read more →
What distinguishes a great neighborhood from the merely so-so? It’s a difficult question, encompassing everything from physical attributes such as good design to the right number of parks and public gathering places. Is it a charming Main Street, good schools or an abundance of interesting shops, restaurants and other diversions?… read more →
October conjures images of falling leaves, Halloween, pumpkin carving, jack-o-lanterns and, of course, pumpkin pie. However, not all pumpkins are alike. In fact, there are dozens of varieties, some of which are delightfully delicious and some that are best used for decoration. Before you hit the patch, there are a… read more →