Journal
2021-05-10
Luxury homeowners are increasingly demonstrating a preference for properties that have been designed with sustainability in mind, which is just another reason to embrace eco-friendly features in the home. For those who want to reduce their water usage, following are several tips that are sure to help conserve this precious resource. Low-Flow Fixtures Updating all…
2021-05-09
With spring in full effect, more people are looking at their outdoor spaces to create a stylish place to spend time with family and friends. For those who love a farmhouse aesthetic, items like reclaimed wood and wicker can be a great addition to your deck, patio or yard. To pull off a rustic look,…
2021-05-08
If you have a brick wall inside or outside of your home and you’re looking to make a dramatic change, you may consider painting it! However, painting brick is not as easy and simple as drywall. There are some specific rules to follow when it comes to painting brick the right way. To avoid flaking…
2021-05-07
When it comes to money, stress is never far behind. Whether you are a recent college grad just starting out on your own or you have a mortgage to pay and mouths to feed, it is important to get your money-saving strategies under control. And there is no better time to start than now! Here…
2021-05-06
If you’re planning to design and build your next home, you may be focusing on the number and size of the rooms and the type of floor plan. With the right placement of your house on the lot and the right positioning of windows, you’ll be able to control the amount of light that each…
2021-05-05
If you have repairs made to your house, hold on to your receipts (or copies of them). They may be important when it comes time to sell your home. A Buyer May Request Proof That Repairs Were Made You may make repairs to your house that increase its value and make it more appealing to…
2021-05-03
Just like any other closet, the pantry is prone to clutter, forgotten items and outdated junk. With these organizing tips from the KonMari method, however, you’ll be on your way to a clean and efficient pantry in no time: 1. Get rid of expired foods. The grocery items we tend to accumulate in our pantry are…
2021-05-02
If you’re getting ready for a great summer spent enjoying your backyard, be sure to follow this to-do list from loveyourlandscape.org to help ensure a vibrant, healthy yard all season long: 1. Inspect trees and shrubs. Take a careful look around your yard to identify any broken branches. Prune as necessary and call in a professional…
2021-05-01
Just because a bedroom is on the small side doesn’t mean it can’t pack a powerful design punch and use space efficiently. It’s all in the organization! Here, the experts at marthastewart.com share great organizing tips for small bedrooms: 1. Think multipurpose storage space. The key to keeping a small bedroom organized is thinking double-duty when…
2021-04-30
Selling your home is both exciting and stressful. Most homeowners head into the process without understanding the many nuances involved. Sellers can become frustrated if their home isn’t moving off the market as quickly as they had expected or they aren’t getting offers as high as they had hoped. When this happens, you can easily fall into…
2021-04-29
In today’s hot real estate market, homebuyers have their work cut out for them. Inventory is sparse in most areas of the country and sellers are enjoying multiple offers and escalating bids. These conditions should not discourage buyers from pursuing their real estate dream, however. On the contrary, current low interest rates have made homebuying…
2021-04-28
Lots of things about life shifted in the wake of the pandemic, including work situations for many. Work-from-home or hybrid arrangements put in place at the height of COVID-19 stand to remain in place indefinitely as companies have learned the benefits of a remote workforce If you’re among the many no longer bound to your…
2021-04-27
Looking to boost your daily productivity? Start by taking a look at your morning habits. Incorporating just a few of these into your get-up-and-go routine may help. Say no to snooze. Hitting the snooze button is tempting, but starting your day by procrastinating your wake-up will not set you up for productivity! Set your phone or…
2021-04-26
Buyers usually have a house inspected before they proceed with a purchase. The exact language related to a home inspection contingency can vary from one contract to another. In some cases, a contingency gives the buyer the option to request repairs, a repair credit or simply walk away. If the buyer is concerned about any…
2021-04-25
Local inventory refers to the number of active listings in a particular geographic area at one time. Inventory is calculated and reported at the end of each month, but the actual number of properties available may be higher or lower on any given day since houses are listed and sold throughout the month. What to…
2021-04-24
When it comes time to sell your first home, emotions may run high. Not only are you starting a new chapter in your life, but you are also closing one that may be full of memories. A letter from you to the new owners of your home is not only a great way to welcome…
2021-04-23
For many American families, the past year has meant more time at home, more challenge in balancing work, school and play, and more time spent mastering new skills in the kitchen, in the garden and online. The result, as light appears at the end of the shut-in tunnel, is a houseful of disorganized ‘stuff’ and…
2021-04-22
Home equity is the difference between your house’s current market value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. Speeding up the rate at which you pay down your loan balance can help you build equity faster. How Can Refinancing Help You Build Home Equity? If you refinance your mortgage and switch to a…
2021-04-21
A standard home purchase agreement typically includes contingencies. Those are clauses that state that the parties must meet certain conditions for the transaction to go forward. If the contingency terms are not met, the contract is no longer enforceable and one party may even back out of the deal. Types of Contingencies Purchase contracts typically…
2021-04-20
You may think that it makes sense to set an asking price based on the amount you paid when you bought your house, but things don’t work that way. The amount you can get for your house today will depend on its condition, the characteristics of the neighborhood and the state of the economy. Some…
2021-04-19
Gardening can serve to boost your home’s curb appeal, prove to be an enjoyable hobby and can naturally lead to gently encouraging healthy eating. Not to mention, creating your own vegetable garden can lead to food savings all season long. Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice your whole backyard to plant a wonderful garden. Evaluate…
2021-04-19
When it comes to painting your space, there are myriad options: bright and sunny yellow, the classic eggshell white, a soothing blue or a fresh green. But one color you shouldn’t overlook when painting is gray. Below are five reasons why. It matches. Gray is a fluid, flexible color that pairs well with a large…
2021-04-14
If you’re one of the many people who are ready to take advantage of today’s favorable real estate market conditions, the first place you should start is by finding a great real estate agent. This can be easier said than done, however. To help you make the best selection possible, from industry educator Real Estate…
2021-04-14
If you’re just starting out with the home-buying process, you may want to get a mortgage pre-approval. This is a statement from a lender that informs you of a certain amount you are qualified to borrow, as well as a specific pre-approved interest rate. Not only will this help you, but to sellers and agents…
2021-04-14
Everything old is new again, and that goes for decorating with color. While the last decade in home décor has largely been defined by white and varying shades of beige and gray, today’s designers are harking back to yesteryear with paint colors, furniture and even kitchen appliances. Part art deco, part ‘50s suburban and part…
2016-04-19
May new home sales gain 2.2% from April Sales of new single-family houses in May 2015 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 546,000, which is up 2.2% from April, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. — From Housing Wire 3…
2016-04-15
At 5 p.m. EST June 17, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a statement that the effective date for the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rules would be pushed back to Oct. 1, 2015. CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a prepared statement: “The CFPB will be issuing a proposed amendment to delay the effective date…
2016-04-15
Active Home-Building Industry Will Lead to More Demand for Warehouse Space Strong wholesale jerseys consumer spending and the rise in housing construction activity are currently the prime factors for the incredible rebound of the U.S. industrial real estate sector, and experts say as home buying continues to increase, so will demand for warehouse space. —…