Ralph Waldo Emerson once described a weed as, “a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” Might we not consider garbage in the same way? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, after all. To the non-recycler, an empty bottle is garbage. To the reuse enthusiast, that empty bottle could… read more →
There’s more that goes into buying a home for the first time besides shopping online for mortgage rates. To find the perfect home, you have to log off of the computer, get in your car and see homes for yourself. One way to do that is visiting open houses. First-time… read more →
You’ve checked out the schools and read neighborhood crime statistics. You’ve timed your commute and figured out where to buy groceries. But what are you missing when it comes to evaluating a new neighborhood? Don’t forget to check these seven neighborhood details before you sign a lease or buy a… read more →
Pushing paper may seem like the least fun thing about a remodel but, like eating your broccoli, you gotta do it. Here’s an overview of the basic paperwork you will need: Contractors’ Responsibilities Contractors, like any business owners, have to take responsibility for employees and for their work. They should have the following papers in order—signed, with… read more →
The American dream is all about homeownership, right? Actually, the real American dream seems to be about homeownership in a hugely impressive house with all the bells and whistles that’s all decked out and done to the nines and allows you to the keep up with the Joneses. But while… read more →
The real estate market is once again in transition. Cash investors are beginning to fade, opening the door for more traditional home buyers, while fast-profit flippers are finding the deals harder to come by – but more profitable than ever. Home purchases made with all cash, representing mostly deals made… read more →
If the idea of buying a house both scares and excites you, that’s how it should be. If you’re only intimidated or only enthusiastic, you’re probably going into the mortgage-buying process ill-informed. After all, in the years before the Great Recession, homebuyers weren’t intimidated at all. For quite a few… read more →
You never know for sure what’s going to turn up at an open house. Don’t leave catastrophes to chance if you’ve got old wiring or bad plumbing. Get your house up to snuff well ahead of time. As for open house attendees, be prepared for anything and everyone — looky-loos, nosy… read more →
It’s natural for any owner to try and maximize profits when it comes to putting their home on the market. And one tactic many prospective sellers consider when trying to cash in is cutting the realtor commission by selling the house themselves! Well, here’s a reality check. Selling your home… read more →
Does your house have things that go bump in the night? Maybe between the creaking door, the strangle rattling in the walls, and the squeaking stairs, you’re convinced the place is haunted. Fortunately, the explanation is much simpler than an apparition in the attic. Houses, whether new or old, make… read more →