The winter and summer holidays are the two seasons we tend to get the most overnight visitors, with the former decidedly the busiest. Before you know it, the gang will be descending on you so take some time now to ready the guest room. Be A Guest In Your Own Home No, we’re not suggesting you pack any bags, just…
There are two phases of the home selling process that throw most homeowners for a loop: The home inspection and the appraisal. Both can have a major impact on the home’s market value and, thus, how much money can be realized from the sale. Repairs suggested on the home inspection report can be negotiated between the buyer and seller. While…
As retailers are so fond of reminding us, the holidays will soon be upon us. That means parties and family visits. If you start getting the house ready now, the run-up to your soirees will be less chaotic and you can focus on the finer points. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be offering you tips to get various parts…
One of the biggest obstacles standing between you and that house or condo you want to buy may be your credit worthiness. And, who is it that tells your lender whether or not you are worthy of getting a mortgage? Credit reporting bureaus — known collectively as “The Big 3” (Experian, Trans Union and Equifax), are the first to investigate…
Conflicted: It’s the perfect description of how homeowners feel when faced with the reality of relocating from one city to another. It’s both exciting and mind-numbing, frightening yet courageous and it brings up feelings of both melancholy and elation. Moving from one home to another is a life-disrupter, but moving from one town to another is a major upheaval. Watching…
Skip the corn mazes and haunted hayrides this Halloween and indulge in haunted-house pleasure in your own living room. In fact, if you work your way through our series of real estate-related Halloween flicks, you’ll think of them every time you view a home for sale, or put yours on the market. Now, some of these are serious thrillers while…
So, how was your garden this year? If it didn’t perform as you’d hoped it would, we have good news for you: Fall is the perfect time to ensure that next year’s spring garden is a winner. From soil fixes to curing diseases and dealing with garden pests, tasks you perform now are well worth the time and energy spent….
Like practitioners in any profession, real estate agents and brokers have a unique vocabulary, they usher their clients through a distinct process and provide industry-exclusive legal paperwork. Because agents and brokers use the latter, daily, they are so familiar with it that many tend to forget that their clients are not. None of us want to appear clueless, so…
When you’re shopping for homes you’ll be introduced to an entirely new vocabulary and I’ll be the first to agree with you that some of it seems downright boring. Take encroachments and easements, for instance. Though they sound ho-hum, they are both important concepts so today I thought I’d try to put them in plain English for you. What’s an…
Most offices recycle paper now – a few restaurants will and public areas have separate garbage cans for plastic/soda cans. BUT . . . How about at home? Are you are one of those casual recyclers or haven’t caught the ‘green’ train, you might want to reconsider. It’s pretty easy to toss a plastic cup in the trash or wrappers…
Since I was a kid, I have been in love with the ocean. Something about the sound of the waves was soothing and I loved the feel of the sea on my legs. I was a super lucky girl. My grandparents up and moved to Hawaii when I was 5 and I started school barefoot in Kailua. It was such…
Have you ever wondered . . .What number to use? What is the proper height is for your kitchen counter . . . or perhaps the ideal height of a back splash? Well, checking with my team and confirming with Carol Bass ThePracticalDecorator.com shared these numbers: 16 to 20 “ Most comfortable height for coffee table since most sofas have…
#1 FOBO (Fear of a Better Deal) Many Buyers just can’t take action . . . YES, they have dreamed about their first home, saved the requisite 5, 10 or even 20 percent down payment AND yet they cannot make a decision for FEAR their will be a better deal just around the corner. If you are working with a…
Have you ever wondered WHY you should use a licensed REALTOR® for your Real Estate transactions? Many people think they will have a go on their own whether buying or selling. They think if they are selling their property, of course, they will save a commission. And, if they are buying, they think they will be able to negotiate a…
With the South Florida rental market showing some of the highest rents in America, it is no wonder that many renters are spending as much as 44 percent of their incomes on housing versus 29 percent historically, according to Zillow. The biggest concern for future home buyers is coming up with the down payment; in fact, more than 65 percent…
Fall fell on us on September 22 and if you haven’t yet begun your fall home maintenance tasks, it’s time to get started. And, to help, we’ve gathered some tips. Smoke alarms save lives Fall and winter see an increase in home fires, according to the American Red Cross, and faulty smoke alarms were to blame for more than 20…
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