A professional home inspector will go from room to room testing the heating, air-conditioning, plumbing, electrical, appliances and smoke detectors. He or she will also evaluate the structure, roof, interior and exterior of the home. What the home inspector finds to be positive and negative about the home will greatly… read more →
Sometimes a walk through your garden can instill a sense of calm. Picking dead floers from plants, rearranging pots, repositioning a small seating area offer ways to putter in your garden and revamp its style. Here are 5 ideas to de clutter your garden space and create a more inviting… read more →
A home is one of the most valuable assets most people will ever own. Unfortunately, some major perils can befall a house and put a serious dent in the value of that asset. Many of these perils are much more insidious than a fire or natural disaster. Read on to… read more →
Many would-be sellers are struggling to make their properties stand out in today’s real-estate market. But while the economic head winds are beyond property owners’ control, you can dramatically improve your chances of making a sale by devoting attention to an often-overlooked aspect of real-estate selling: home staging. The goal of… read more →
Congratulations on moving into your new — or at least new to you — house. But now that you’ve settled in, you may have noticed some flaws that weren’t evident during the honeymoon period. Hallway floors that squeak in an annoying way, for example. Or pipes that clang, doors that… read more →
To many buyers, a house that’s been on the market a long time must have hidden problems. And that could lead to unnecessary and endless price reductions. Luckily, even in a distressed market, there are ways to prevent roots from sprouting under the ‘for sale’ sign. Leave it to the… read more →
So, you’ve found a house you like, come up with a down payment and gotten preapproved. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, if you and your agent rush through the deal without doing all the homework. Buying a house is like getting into a marriage: You must make sure there… read more →
With the market heating up as is the weather, there is no time like the present to consider purchasing a home if you have been on the fence for a while about doing so. Today’s market is all about moving quickly if you find your dream home. With low inventory… read more →
Would-be homeowners who don’t have a lot of cash may opt to buy a property that needs repairs. A Federal Housing Administration 203(k) loan is a unique product for those buyers. But when you combine the red tape of government agencies with the additional financial risks associated with people who aren’t experienced… read more →
With memories of snow and cold fading, it’s time to remind home owners to take stock of important work to be done for themselves and potential buyers down the road. Keeping on track with seasonal maintenance will lower costs and raise value. Besides cleaning closets and planting flowers and cool-weather… read more →