buying: 5 Fun Ways to Bond with Family This Winter
- 12/18/17 11:04 AM
While cold weather often sends us scurrying indoors, it doesn't have to mean less time together as a family. Read on for a few fun, creative ways you can bond with brood all winter long, or have fun with visiting family over the Holidays!
Start a puzzle night. Do you have free table space in your home? Perhaps that formal dining table you rarely use, or a coffee table that can easily be moved into a corner. Choose a difficult puzzle and start a weekly "puzzle night" with the fam. Spend an hour or two once a week putting the … (0 comments)
buying: Making the Jump: Transitioning from a Tenant to a Homeowner
- 01/31/17 10:57 AM
Becoming a homeowner for the first time is an exciting and stressful process. However, once the papers are signed and the keys are in your pocket, your work really begins. Homeownership can be fraught with financial and emotional perils, especially if you've been renting from a landlord up until now. Landlords are on the hook for not only minor repairs, but also major upgrades, yard work, taxes and fees associated with building ownership, as well as normal upkeep such as painting and cleaning carpets.
Before You Buy The best way to make a smooth transition to your new home starts before you buy. … (1 comments)
buying: New Homeowners: Ready to Knock Down Walls? Three Projects to Knock Out Instead
- 12/30/16 12:14 PM
You just became a homeowner—congratulations! In between the oh-my-gosh-I-have-a-mortgage feeling and the pile of empty pizza boxes (you have yet to unpack your cookware), you may be making a mental list of all the things you’re going to do to make your home your home—projects you plan to knock out the first few weeks as king (or queen!) of your castle. But tackling too much, too soon is a recipe for regret. The fact is, even though all of those projects seem necessary (they seemed necessary when you walked the home, too!), many of them aren’t. A full-blown kitchen remodel, for instance, is … (3 comments)
buying: Why Dogs Make Us Better People
- 12/30/16 09:48 AM
There’s much more to owning a dog than gaining a cuddly companion. According to one study, dogs enhance our overall well-being, providing a range of emotional, behavioral and physical benefits for their humans. But can dogs really make us better people? Yes, say 93 percent of dog owners who responded to a survey from BarkBox. Survey findings reveal that: Seven in ten (71 percent) dog owners report that their pup has made them happier, with nearly four in five claiming that their dog’s greeting actually makes it easier to get out of bed! About half of dog owners say their pooch has … (1 comments)
buying: 5 Ways to Ready Your Home Heating System for Winter
- 11/16/16 03:52 AM
There are three words no homeowner wants to hear in winter: “The heat’s out.” That’s exactly what can happen if you don’t maintain your heating system, say the experts at the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). To ensure that doesn’t happen, AHRI’s experts recommend the following prep list.
1. Call the Pros – Have your heating system serviced ahead of winter to keep it operating efficiently all season long. Consult the database of certified professionals at NATEX.org (North American Technician Excellence [NATE]) for a technician in your area.
2. Clear the Pump – Remove debris that may have accumulated around the heat … (3 comments)
buying: 3 Reasons to Remodel This Fall
- 09/23/16 05:55 AM
Most house remodels occur in spring and summer, when the weather is unlikely to derail a project—but according to one expert, another season is just as ideal for remodels: fall. Why fall? Dan Fritschen, product manager at RemodelOrMove.com and author of six books on home remodeling, lists three reasons: 1. The off-season means more contractors are available for hire. Remodels are less common in fall, making it the perfect time for homeowners to have their pick of professionals. Contractors are often more responsive in the off-season, and eager to give estimates for work that will keep them employed through fall and early winter. 2. … (0 comments)
buying: 4 Tips to Consider When Moving to a New State
- 08/11/16 04:20 AM
Relocating to a new state offers the opportunity to start fresh and experience a life you may not have otherwise planned. But, like anything new, moving can present its own unique challenges, from organizing what to bring and discard, to deciding where to enroll the kids in school, to ensuring everyone remains happy and positive. Truly, the devil is in the details.
But because deciding where to move is the easy part, it's wise to cobble together a moving checklist to ensure you're not excluding any items to make your new house a home. Check out these helpful tips that will make … (1 comments)
buying: 3 Tips for Homebuyers in a Competitive Market
- 07/29/16 02:39 AM
Homebuyers traditionally face competition at the height of real estate season. Now, with market indicators reaching record post-recession milestones, competition is stiffer than ever.
To gain an edge as a buyer, real estate professionals advise:
Getting Pre-Approved – Getting pre-approved for financing will give you significant leverage in negotiations with the seller—and knowing exactly what you can afford will keep you on track if a bidding war ensues.
Thinking Long-Term – As a homebuyer, your decision regarding which home to purchase should align with your future expectations. Planning to grow your family? Consider a larger house in need … (1 comments)
buying: How Screened Porches Bring the Outdoors In
- 06/15/16 05:28 AM
Growing concerns about bug-borne illnesses and overexposure to harmful rays have boosted the appeal of the screened porch, which offers a protected, front-row seat to nature.Before air conditioning became widespread, the screened porch was considered a necessity in many areas as a respite from intense heat, especially as a safe, cool place to rest at night. Then, as different notions of “outdoor rooms” for all sorts of uses caught on, its popularity waned. Now the screened porch is re-emerging with gusto on different styles of homes, in a wide range of prices, and all over the country, from warm climates to cold. … (1 comments)
buying: 10 Shortcuts to Make Your Move Easier!
- 08/21/15 05:46 AM
Near or far, there’s no shortage of challenges when it comes to moving. Between organizing an entire household, changing addresses and vetting out movers, relocating to a new home can be more hectic than happy. And the biggest stressor of all? Packing. To help alleviate some of that stress, we’ve compiled a list of clever shortcuts that will ease the burden of packing before (and unpacking after) a move. 1. Find Freebies – Forget buying boxes. Pick up free ones through Freecycle.org or the “free stuff” section on Craigslist, both of which list items by location. If you can, seek out boxes of … (3 comments)
buying: Stricter Condominium SELLING AND BUYING Guidelines
- 06/09/12 04:24 AM
The New York Times published the below article earlier this year. This article was forwarded to me by a local Huntsville, AL lender: Casey Caplin with First Bank. EXCELLENT information for anyone wanting to buy - OR sell - condominiums. Make sure before doing either, you talk to an expert Real Estate Professional, such as me, Karen Borden. It helps to uncover these facts before moving forward in buying or selling. Stricter Lending Guidelines for Condos By LYNNLEY BROWNING STELLAR credit and steady income will go a long way in helping borrowers secure a home mortgage, but they may not be … (2 comments)
buying: WINTER BLUES? WARM UP AT HOME!
- 01/31/12 06:03 AM
For many of us, winter means more time spent inside and less time spent in the great outdoors, which can often lead to a classic case of cabin fever and winter blahs. According to Debra Duneier, author and creator of EchoChi, with a few simple steps, you can transform your home into a place that makes you feel happier and healthier this winter: Use color creatively. Add warmth and excitement to your life by accessorizing your home with red, yellow and orange, says Duneier. These colors have a stimulating Chi (energy vibration) and have the energy of summer. This invigorates our environment, … (2 comments)
I can help you sell your home! I can help you buy your next dream home! I can also help you build a home! I am very passionate about real estate sales. I especially like to work with first time home buyers. If I can help you or anyone that you know, don't hesitate to contact me directly ANY time at 356-479-5788.
While cold weather often sends us scurrying indoors, it doesn't have to mean less time together as a family. Read on for a few fun, creative ways you can bond with brood all winter long, or have fun with visiting family over the Holidays!
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