real estate advice: 10 Simple Tips to Winterize Your Home - 10/30/10 10:11 AM
10 Simple Tips to Winterize Your Home
Now that fall has almost ended, it's time to think ahead and prepare your home for winter. These simple tips can make your home more comfortable, reduce energy consumption, and go a long way to reducing any future repair costs.
•1.       Clean your gutters and downspouts.  Debris can cause water backup and ice dams in some climates. Make sure your gutters drain away from the house.
•2.       Cover foundation vents to prevent cold air from getting under the house and freezing pipes. Remove the covers in the spring.
•3.       Add insulation if needed. Look … (39 comments)

real estate advice: What Happened to the American Dream? - 09/08/10 01:49 PM
The American Dream is on Hold
Owning a home you can call your own is part of the "American Dream". For many, this dream has turned into a nightmare. The idea that home prices never fall has been shattered. The average American home buyer got caught-up in the hoopla and "herd mentality" of the Great Real Estate Bubble and thought they were doing the right thing. Mostly, through forces outside of their control, their quest for the American Dream ruined their finances and emotional well-being .Greed, fraud, lack of oversight, and ignoring the basics of sound financial investments, has caused a … (3 comments)

real estate advice: Coping with Buyer's Remorse - 01/28/08 03:56 AM
Coping with Buyer's Remorse
The decision to buy a home involves making the largest financial purchase most people will ever make. This is not an entirely rational process, but also involves making emotional decisions, especially for first-time home buyers. Buyer's remorse is the pain, anxiety and fear of making a mistake, which usually occurs after your offer is accepted. You have looked at many houses, found the one you like, signed all the paperwork, obtained a mortgage, had the house properly inspected, and now you're scared. You are not the first to feel this way. This reaction is normal and has been … (3 comments)