Join South Florida’s #1 Luxury real Estate agent Debbie Wysocki as she interviews Stephan Tchividjian - Co-Founder and President of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida, and the Co-Executive...

Join South Florida’s #1 luxury real estate agent Debbie Wysocki as she interviews Lynette Janac of The Luxury Lifestyle Guide. Founded in 2010, Luxury Network, Inc. has evolved from solely...

Tom Petty famously penned the words, “the waiting is the hardest part” in his early 80’s hit song The Waiting, and his thought process can surprisingly also be applied to...

I don’t know about you, but my brain shuts down when the word “tax” is mentioned. I think many of us would rather have a root canal than talk taxes....

If you haven’t met your fair share of stink bugs this year, brace yourself. Although stink bug season is officially from March through September, the cooler it gets outdoors, the...

Will this be the year you buy a brand-new home? Don’t be discouraged by news reports claiming that “U.S. home building fell,” or “housing starts dropped.” The scary-sounding numbers are...

Sometimes (not often enough, in our opinion) money falls into our laps. Tax returns, bonus checks, gifts and an inheritance are just a few ways that we can come into...

Whether you’re entertaining notions of buying or selling a home, you’re no doubt keeping up with housing news. And, what you’re seeing may concern you. Doom and gloomers, naysayers and,...

2019 is half-way over. With a decline in interest rates as well as home price and wage appreciation, some are asking what the predictions are for the remainder of 2019....

As a homebuyer, unless you are buying direct from the owner, you’ll not negotiate with the seller of the home you have your eye on. That’s your real estate agent’s...

🤔If you are thinking of purchasing a home and are on the fence, THIS is why NOW is the time.👍 👉Remember, the FED recently indicated flexibility in rates. ✅The nation’s...

The junk drawer. Love it or hate it, most of us have one and most of the time it’s in the kitchen. NPR’s Linton Weeks says they serve “as a...

One of the most common questions we hear from our listing clients is whether or not they should renovate or remodel their homes prior to putting them on the market....

The one thing we think most of us look forward to after a day out in the winter elements is a long, steamy-hot shower or luxurious soak in the tub....

We recently received an email from a former client. He’s considering selling his home and, like many home sellers do, he went online to see if he could figure out...

After a few tries at indoor gardening, many people give up, assuming the thumb just isn’t green enough. The problem usually boils down to having chosen a high-maintenance plant and...

Unless you’re Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, your home purchase may be the biggest financial investment you make during your lifetime. Scary thought, isn’t it? Not if you...

Home improvement projects can not only be fun, but they add value to your home as well. Whether you’ve decided to add improvements to your home before it goes on...

That letter from the bank: You know the one — it says you’re approved to buy a home for a certain amount of money. It’s burning a hole in your...

Three digits. They may be all that is standing between you and your own home or continuing to rent. Known as your “credit score,” those digits reflect how risky it...

Wisteria blooms elegantly along the back fence, temperatures are gradually nudging their way up, grilling season is oh, so close and you’re ready to give your patio or balcony a...

Buying a home isn’t as easy as walking up to a lender and requesting a mortgage. You’ll need cash for a down payment and the loan’s closing costs, unless you’re...

Not all home improvement projects are created equal Trying to figure out which home improvement projects will give you the most bang for your buck? Check out these suggestions: Powered...

Last week I came across an article about the latest tech gadgets for the home. There is some pretty cool stuff out there, some of it new and some that...

Real estate isn’t a game for the faint of heart. To ensure that you walk away from the deal with the maximum amount of money possible requires following a time-tested...

Hurricane season in 2018 was brutal. We saw eight hurricanes, with Florence and Michael producing the most significant damage. Hurricane season this year begins on June 1. Last month, California’s...

Tenants come in two “flavors,” affable and nightmarish. We hope, for your sake, that when it comes time to sell your rental your tenants are the former. The whole process...

Most of us homeowners consider spring cleaning as the project that clears the home’s interiors of winter’s nastiness. You know, the mud in the mud room, the stale odors, the...

What’s old typically becomes new, right? Whether it’s fashion, music, dance styles or décor, never count a trend down and out, because the chances are good that it will see...

The “Remodeling 2019 Cost vs. Value Report*” has just recently been released. A deep dive into which remodeling projects provide a homeowner with the best return on the money invested,...

Owning a rental property poses tax considerations that are more complex than the residential property you live in and requires a more refined tax strategy. Below is the tax information you...

Designed by Cliff May in 1932, the ranch-style house was conceived specifically for California living. Mr. May combined elements of the Spanish hacienda and Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie-style design and...

Now, before you turn your nose up at the topic, we aren’t talking about senior living communities – those group homes for baby boomers and their elders where they take...

It doesn’t take much to diminish a credit score. Something as small as a 30-day late payment can cause it to plummet. If that payment goes another 30 days late,...

Lush green lawns don’t happen without some serious help from the homeowner. Sure, grass may not die if not routinely cared for, but homeowners with a lawn-care schedule are the...

Let’s face it, not many of us can easily envision the lifestyle that an empty room might provide. This is why paint stores offer clever apps that allow us to...

In all of our years in the real estate industry, here’s a truth we’ve learned: it’s the proactive homeowner who ends up having the smoothest home sale and, typically, makes...

Most homeowners can clearly recall that moment it became clear that they could, and would, buy a home. Ditching the landlord is a dream of many and when you can...

Home improvement projects are missing from the list of Americans’ top 10 New Year’s resolutions for 2019. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t undertake one or two this year, especially...

The National Association of Realtors tells us that 44 percent of homebuyers visit open houses. While most don’t end up buying the home, it gives them an idea of what...

As huge fans of Pinterest, we’re always eager to read the year-end wrap-up and predictions of what will be trending on the platform in the new year ahead. The beauty...

So, you’ve heard that home prices are falling, the inventory of available homes is beginning to grow and, if you look closely, you’ll see a crack beginning to form in...

If you’ve just purchased a home, putting all your “stuff” away is something you’re most likely not looking forward to. Unpacking boxes and then finding a place for everything can...

Too many home sellers feel that their listing agent is responsible for everything that comes after signing the listing agreement. Nothing could be further from the truth. The homeowner is...

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a new sofa whenever you wanted? Good news: when the seasons change and the urge to update your living room accordingly strikes you, you...

It may seem like an understatement, but life completely changes when you have kids. They’re so tiny, yet so powerful that they impact our lives more than anything that came...

Funny thing about houses – we often outgrow them. Especially in the throes of family-building, pretty soon a house is like our kids’ shoes – it gets tighter and tighter...

Our clients often tell us that it was their dinky kitchen that prompted their decision to sell their condos to buy a house. While the kitchen may not be the...

When you want to sell your home, don’t bother asking Alexa because when we asked Google how to find a listing agent it gave us more than 6.5 million results....

As most homeowners understand, owning a home isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it kind of possession. It requires what sometimes seems like almost constant maintenance. While some of these tasks can be deferred,...

The process of buying your first home involves a steep learning curve. From how to get started to understanding the roles of the various players in the process, it can...

If there’s one thing we can guarantee during the home sale process it’s that you’ll walk away from the closing table with a sore wrist and a bad case of...

From Ikea product hacks to painting kitchen cabinets and refinishing countertops, Americans are absolutely hooked on the DIY craze. There are some things, however, that only a pro should tackle...

Sure, books aren’t exactly selling like the Instapot (2018’s hottest selling product on Amazon’s Prime Day in the U.S.), but if you’re of the opinion that something isn’t worth reading...

Moving is bad enough, but moving in wet, muddy, sloppy weather should be illegal. Alas, it’s not, and if you have no choice but to move during winter, do yourself...

Have you ever stocked up on groceries for a week’s worth of recipes and then forgot which of them you’d intended to follow? If you owned an LG InstaView ThinQ...

After the boring stuff is out of the way – the loan application process, choosing a lender and then hiring a real estate agent, it’s time to go shopping, the...

Pretend, for a moment, that it’s spring (yes, it will come). Although snow is still deep, temperatures are rising. What happens? The snow will melt, sometimes rapidly, creating lots and...

Whoever coined the phrase “Bridezilla” must’ve been referring to the bride (or groom) who was juggling wedding planning with homebuying. Believe it or not, many couples avoid the chicken and...

 Winter brings images of getting cozy in front of a crackling fire. Whether your image also includes a steaming cup of cocoa or a glass of crisp Chardonnay, it’s definitely...

A Sacramento area HOA created a requirement that insisted homeowners keep their garage doors open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If they refused, they would be...

There is a 65 to 70 percent chance that El Nino will be visiting this winter, so look for it to be a warmer than normal, according to the National...

It may not be snowing just yet, but you can count on the white stuff in the near future. If your home is going to be on the market during...

From recipes to timers, this year’s crop of Thanksgiving websites and apps are just about guaranteed to keep you from wishing you had five extra hands and three fewer kids...

First-time homebuyers know that they’ll need a down payment if they hope to get a loan. What they often don’t know is that they will also need cash to use...

It’s almost winter (it starts on December 21 this year) and that’s the perfect time to tackle some chores that you may typically put off for spring cleaning. Do them...

Veterans Day this year is November 11 (observed on the 12th) but to us, November is Veterans Month. And what better time to remind those who have served our country...

One of life’s most challenging aspects is watching our parents age. Then comes the day when you, and they, realize they’ve lost their physical independence. Whether they are downsizing into...

We don’t need a crystal ball to tell us when to take the first step in determining if this is a good time to sell a home and buy another....

If you leased a property with gas appliances in London, the landlord would be required, by law, to maintain the pipes, appliances and flues. Additionally, he or she would be...

When I bought my first home my priorities included a big backyard and the home had to be single-story. Yes, I was young, and obviously not too bright. I ended...

Would it surprise you to learn that 1.2 million American children have elevated levels of lead in their blood? Lead poisoning sounds like something from out of the past, like...

Unless you have a big stash of cash, you’ll need to borrow money to buy a home. Oh, you’ll still need some cash (for the down payment and closing costs),...

It’s hurricane season and even the most prepared among us may have let something fall through the cracks. Typically, it’s the pet’s needs during a natural disaster that are left...

A few years ago, RealtorMag put out a list of the “Top 10 Most Common Home Inspection Problems.” They range from faulty wiring to roof problems to foundation flaws. Whether...

It’s 2 a.m. and the phone is ringing.  You know before picking it up that within ten minutes you’ll be fully dressed and in your car, on the way to...

“In my experience, there is no correlation between houses we hold open a lot and houses we do not hold open at all and how fast or at what prices...

This year we usher in the autumn season beginning on September 22. And, as we all know, autumn typically brings more than falling leaves. Many of us get lots of...

Ah, to be a fly on the wall as potential buyers traipse through your home for sale. You could watch them peer into your cupboards and closets and peek into...

It’s been a long, hot summer, and, we don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for fall. The cooler weather makes it more enjoyable to do the things we...

One of the most frustrating issues we’ve dealt with over the past few years is the confusion over private mortgage insurance (PMI). Folks on the internet aren’t helping clear the...

Paint is the miracle cure for a home that needs freshening. It not only adds color, but, if the color is chosen strategically, it can make rooms appear larger, smaller...

OK, so you don’t have a warehouse full of designer furniture, accessories and home décor items or a degree from an interior design school. Don’t let that stop you from...

The reality that you’re bringing a new life into the world is never more evident than when the nurse rolls the bassinet into the delivery room, right? It’s at that...

The best part of moving to a new town or city is the newness of the whole thing. Getting to know the amenities, finding a new favorite eatery, new parks,...

Although homeowners have been DIYing home improvement projects for more than a century, the growing popularity of HGTV has resulted in a surge of its popularity and an explosion of...

A home languishing on the real estate market is one of life’s more frustrating ordeals. Especially if you’ve owned the home for some time, there’s that emotional attachment that tells...

“Deferred maintenance.” It’s a term that real estate professionals hear frequently. It describes a home that has been neglected and raises red flags concerning its condition. Putting off routine home...

Sure, the results of an appraisal and the home inspection can stop a real estate deal dead in its tracks, but what if you never get that far in the...

As a homeowner you know that the best way to protect your home’s value is by maintaining it. And, when it comes time to sell it, you’ll find lots of...

“What’s the crime rate in this area?” It’s a common question and we understand completely why homebuyers want the answer. Unfortunately, real estate professionals are forbidden from answering it. So,...

Back to pencils, back to books . . . we are getting closer to the day our students head back to class. This means it’s time to start gearing up...

Look at three or four resale homes during your house hunt and you’ll start getting the feeling that, should you purchase one of them, you will be buying someone else’s...

Planning for a vacation is distracting. Sitting at your desk at work, mentally going over what you’ll need to pack, visions of sandy beaches and cool water dancing in your...

Perth is leading a national downturn, with residential property values across Australia falling by the heftiest rate since 2012. The CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index, released on 1 August, shows...

Selling a home looks so easy, doesn’t it? After all, what does a real estate agent do to get homes sold that you can’t do? Russel Baze, the winningest jockey...

In all the excitement of moving and trying to get settled in the new home, the last thing you want is a honey-do list, right? Some things, however, shouldn’t be...

Not all homes are on city services – some have their own systems to deliver water and remove waste from the property. If you’re considering putting in an offer to...

Sure, beer is the official beverage of the great American tailgate party. But it’s time to step out of the rut and add a little flair to this year’s festivities....

When we think of ticks and the diseases they spread, we typically think of Lyme disease. But, did you know that the nasty little critters also spread ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis?...

Warning: We’re about to give you the creeps. It’s termite swarming season – that time of year when subterranean termite populations within colonies reach the carrying capacity and they swarm...

Whether you live in a condo with a water view or a multi-million-dollar beach house, there is an ever-present temptation to overdo nautical or other beach-related décor. Wicker, white and...

There is no one answer and many, many things to consider when deciding about whether to sell or rent out a house that no longer suits you. First, I urge...

Did you wonder if grilling season would ever get here? Finally – a chance to get outdoors and polish that pit master image you’ve worked so hard to cultivate. Even...

When you list your home for sale or buy a home with the help of a real estate agent, get ready to sign a whole pile of paperwork. In most...

Summer is almost here! Grilling, swimming, or just lazing away the day in a hammock with a good book or a snooze — some of the best ways to spend...

Real estate has three primary rules: Location Location Location When something has to be repeated three times for it to sink in, you know it’s an important issue. And, when...

Your monthly mortgage payment, which includes the loan’s principal, interest, property taxes and homeowners insurance, no doubt takes a large chunk of your take-home pay. Most homeowners just live with...

If you’ve chosen your listing agent wisely, he or she will determine the most likely buyer for your home and then laser-focus the marketing materials to that pool of buyers....

There’s a reason grilling takes center stage in summer. The weather demands it ― who wants to be cooped up indoors with all that glorious sunshine outside? Aside from that,...

When the last time you bought a home was far enough back that your mortgage is paid off, or nearly so, can we give you some advice? A lot has...

June 17 is Father’s Day, the day set aside each year to show love and appreciation for dear old dad. So, just what is it that men want, truly, for...

If your spring cleaning routine paid special attention to getting the deck ready for summer entertaining, we have a question for you: Did you check the deck’s safety while getting...

Although DIY home staging may seem an easy project, we see several common mistakes when homeowners make the attempt. Most go about the process as if it were just a...

In case you missed it, summer recently arrived. If you’re still making your summer getaway plans, and you have the means, you may want to consider the ultimate luxury vacation....

Ah, the need for speed in a real estate deal – we’re quite familiar with it. From clients who’ve taken a job out of town with an impatient employer to...

You see them all over the internet but nowhere online do gardening fallacies proliferate more than on Pinterest. For instance, we recently read a pin that described several ways to...

Think back to a time when you, or someone you know, sold or traded in a car. There was some work to do before advertising it for sale or taking...

You must admit, there’s nothing like a nice, hot shower at the end of a very long day. Standing under steamy water, you can almost feel the stress melt away....

Call them “red flags,” or “warning signs” or even “whoa, don’t-buy-this-house” signs, but there are certain symptoms of a sick home that you need to be aware of before you...

You don’t need to be a professional interior decorator to update your your home’s interior. With a little creativity, and items already present in your home, you can transform it...

There was a time in our country’s history when discrimination in lending was blatant and rampant. In the 1930s, for instance, Americans of color were routinely denied mortgages. Several methods...

While the average nationwide cost to replace a roof is $7,269, according to homeadvisor.com, costs vary by region, size of the roof and other factors. It’s a huge, expensive job,...

“Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make,” is one of the first “tips” you’ll receive when surfing the internet for information about the process. The...

In 2017, a total of 16 disasters in the United States caused an estimated $306 billion in damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Residents of Montana...

There’s a road you will head down when you first decide that it’s time to buy a home. Before taking even the first step, you’ll encounter a fork in that...

Walking into your new home for the first time may be a bit jolting. Unless it was vacant when you purchased it, the home will look completely different. The walls...

After a long, grueling search, including several overheated bidding wars, Jim and Claire found the California home of their dreams. They were ecstatic when their offer was accepted and the...

Mold – it’s unsightly (when it’s visible) and it’s unhealthy – and, if it’s in our homes, it is present in every breath we take. Many of us only think...

Working with first-time buyers and those on tight budgets during last spring’s overheated sellers’ market was heartbreaking. So many offers made and so many passed over for someone else’s. One...

When the home you want to buy is merely a shelter to retreat to after a day spent ranching or farming the land surrounding it, you’ll find that the process...

Ok, so you got an offer on your home. Although this is the right time to heave a sigh of relief, we’re not yet ready to pop open the champagne. We...

I have a friend in another state who wants to sell her home. And, whether a blessing or a curse, she has the luxury of taking her time. In other...

Don’t let a skimpy homebuying budget stop you from kicking your landlord to the curb. When even the most basic of starter homes soar in price, there’s always the trusty...

In case you missed it, spring sprung on March 20. That means it’s time for the annual spring-cleaning ritual. And, although the exact origins of the ritual are in question,...

March 20, 2018—the day those of us who love nothing more than getting dirty in the backyard have longed for. It’s the first day of spring and, although we’re ready,...

Powdery stuff on the floor near the wall. Tiny mud tubes on the wall. One- to two-inch round holes near the eaves, deck and siding. While easily overlooked, these are...

The homebuying process is one that is full of decisions. Do you want a house or a condo? Should you shop for a new or an existing home? If you...

The best and quickest way to revitalize a room is with paint. It’s amazing what fresh paint can do. But, don’t stop there – especially if you’re thinking of selling...

OK, truth time: There’s nothing more disruptive to home life than to have your home on the market. Chasing the kids around, nagging at them to pick up their clothes...

Despite having decent credit, a good job and the ability to pay for a home every month, the dream of buying a home is somewhat elusive for those with little...

Whether it’s a long-distance move or you’re relocating within the same city, finding the right movers isn’t easy. Long-distance moves, however, add a whole new dimension to the search. Although...

Didn’t they tell us years ago that we’d be a “paperless society” in the near future? Somebody forgot to tell the real estate industry. There must be a form for...

Even the safest cities have crime. If this is of concern to you, consider starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood. What it is A Neighborhood Watch program is...

Have you ever lived in a neighborhood where one of the homes for sale seems to sit for an especially long time with fewer and fewer people viewing it? It’s...

It’s a fact that how your home looks from the curb will either repel or compel buyers. So, once you’ve got that out of the way, what else entices home...

Every winter, families across the country decide if this will be the year that they sell their current houses and move into their dream homes. That means YES, it's time...

Professional decorators see the same decorating faux pas repeatedly. Hey, it’s only natural that those of us who don’t do it for a living are winging it. One of the...

We’ve racked our brains and the best thing that can be said about being a tenant is that you aren’t on the hook for repairs to the home. Unless you...

Private mortgage insurance, also known as PMI, is cursed by homebuyers when, without it, many of them wouldn’t have been approved for the mortgage used to buy their home. Yes,...

Have you ever noticed that information and advice for first-time homebuyers is plentiful across the internet? What happens when you look for that same information and advice for first-time home...

Wire fraud is a very common problem these days. NAR General Counsel Katie Johnson provided a summary of the problem recently on realtor.org. She said, "Hackers are gaining access to...

Insurance is a necessary evil – we buy it, hoping we’ll never need it. After all, it’s a hedge against catastrophe. The sheer cost of replacing a home with custom...

You know those gloomy weekend days when you just can’t stand the thought of heading outdoors and and Netflix has nothing new to offer? Have we got a job for...

More than 1,500 years ago, a double-hulled canoe full of Polynesians landed at Ka Lae, on the southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. If they came from the...

If you’re one of those people who won’t buy a product or use a service until you’ve checked the online reviews, then you are as pleased as we are with...

We all get complacent when it comes to safety factors in our homes, so let’s make 2018 the year we look at our sanctuaries with an eye toward making them...

Negotiating the successful close of a home sale begins with price and contract terms and doesn’t end until the deal closes. One of the most frequently negotiated items, after the...

All those gorgeous windows that allow summertime sunshine to stream through the home are useless to view the winter wonderland outside if the glass is covered in fog. When that...

The real estate industry does a spectacular job educating first-time homebuyers. There’s so much valuable information out there that no buyer should go through the process uninformed. Buying a home...

Winter home sales don’t have to be as challenging as you may think. Sure, the sun isn’t always shining and you may be contending with snow and ice in your...

Winter hibernation – that feeling that we should burrow our heads under the covers until spring — is typically fruitless. Since scientists warn us to “keep moving” to release endorphins...

Selling a luxury home is unlike any other real estate transaction. The marketing is different, the potential buyers are different and the entire sales process is as well. We hear...

Trying to find space in the oven for the bird and all the side dishes isn’t the most worrisome aspect of holiday cooking. Not when the CDC estimates 1.2 million...

Housing trends come and go – some we’re happy to see sitting at the curb, others we decide to keep around longer. Architects, designers and builders see these trends coming...

When Mom Nature throws wicked winter weather our way, the difference between being safe and stranded can often come down to how prepared you are. The following tips will ensure...

If the homeowners have done their job, a home for sale has been cleaned up, gussied up and put on display to entice potential buyers to make an offer to...

Condos can be the ideal purchase for homebuyers who are on tight budgets. They’re typically lower priced than single-family homes, insurance is less expensive and ongoing home maintenance costs are...

In 2015, more than 10 million American households spent nearly $50 billion renovating their kitchens, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Organization. Since the kitchen is the most-used room...

The luxury home purchase process is different from buying a conventional or tract home. There’s more money passing hands, so naturally the risk escalates. The process is slower as well,...

Black Friday – it’s right around the corner. If you’re in the market for new appliances, this may be the day for you to find a good deal, according to...

The industry that brought you the iconic “location, location, location” has a new one for you: “multigenerational housing.” No, it’s not a new concept, but housing that caters to several...

It’s frustrating to have a decent-paying job, a bright earnings future and acceptable credit and still not be able to buy a home because you lack the thousands of dollars...

Sure, it’s a slogan on a t-shirt, and nobody has yet to take credit for it, but it sums up how we feel. And, since Veteran’s Day – the day...

Outsourcing. Big corporations do it, so why not households? Delegating the mundane, routine household chores to an outside source may just be the key to a happy household. Whether you’re...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

#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...

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...

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...

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....

It’s a toss-up whether the home inspection or the appraisal induces more nail-biting. Homebuyers, sellers and the agents involved await the results of both with a mixture of anticipation and...

Whether it’s your first time buying or selling a home, one of the most confusing aspects of either process is learning the lingo. Fixtures, encumbrances, contingencies – real estate jargon...

Are you or someone you know part of the 84% of Americans who believe that purchasing a home is a good financial decision?  This is the highest percentage since 2007...

You don’t have to be an impeccable housekeeper when selling a home – you just need to look like one. That’s the beauty of staging a home for sale –...

Across the country, leaves turn crimson, the air gets crisper and thoughts turn to the end-of-the-year holidays. It can be downright distracting which is why, perhaps, that fall is when...

When shopping for a mortgage, have you noticed how much lower the rates are for a variable mortgage than a fixed? For example, as of this writing, the average 30-year...

Sure, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, and hubby Justin Theroux and Jay-Z and Beyonce own drop-dead gorgeous homes in Los Angeles’ swanky Bel Air community. But, theirs don’t hold a candle...

Nature is good for us, according to psychologists. In fact, there’s an entire branch of their profession devoted to studying how nature impacts our happiness and well-being, known as environmental...

Atlantic hurricane season: June 1 through November 30. Wildfire seasons vary, depending on region. Earthquakes have no season – they strike without warning. Depending on where you live, natural disaster...

The sun will always rise in the east and set in the west. All people will someday die and, as long as you make a certain amount of money, you’ll...

It happens to the best of us – one day you’re gainfully employed and the next day you’re not. Despite the fact that the nation’s unemployment rate is at a...

Want to make an extra $1,500 on the sale of your home? Paint the front door dark gray or navy blue, according to a study by Zillow. Nab another $1,500...

Even if you aren’t considering selling your home in the near future, a finished basement offers more living space – something most homeowners dream about. If you are considering selling,...

Writers have a target audience in mind as they peck away on the keyboard. Radio DJs are admonished to hold a mental image of their audience (one person of a...

What on earth are you doing with all that stuff? You do know that you can make money by selling it, right? One man’s (or woman’s) trash is another’s treasure...

There are few things in life more frustrating than that longing to own your own home combined with the very real fact that your bank account is a bit on...

When trying to forecast the future housing market, most experts look at pending home sales. If they’re consistently trending upward, we can comfortably look forward to a robust near-future. For...

The United States is home to more than 350,000 homeowner associations (HOA). This represents more than half of all owner-occupied homes in the country, according to HOA-USA. This means that...

Americans love summer. Whether it’s because it presents the perfect opportunity for the annual getaway or because of the additional amount of sunshine on these deliciously long, summer days, summer, not...

That moment when you just can’t stand writing one more check to your landlord so that he can pay his mortgage payment. That is the moment you are emotionally ready...

If you’re digging through sweatshirts and turtlenecks to reach your tank tops and shorts, it’s time for a closet makeover. It’s like eating an elephant The job is much easier,...

While the surgeon general hasn’t taken up labeling water heaters as possibly harmful to your health, they may be. In fact, any of the many components that make up a...

The housing market is moving at warp speed, with homes that are in decent condition and priced right flying off the market in a matter of days. When it will...

The real estate industry has done a bang-up job on letting consumers know they’ll need some cash when they purchase a home. Typically, it’s the down payment that’s mentioned. Seldom...

If you need to sell your current home before buying that adorable bungalow you’ve had your eye on, you have your work cut out for you. Getting your house ready...

Call it the “Murphy’s Law of Home-Buying” if you will, but there’s a good chance that shortly after you move into your new home the water heater will die. It...

Quick! What’s the number one reason that so many millennials aren’t getting into the housing market? No-brainer, right? It’s all about that stubborn student loan debt they racked up. In...

In all the excitement of choosing your lot, your appliance package and all the other extras that go into buying a new home, something important may fall through the cracks:...

The weather folks are saying that residents of the eastern U.S. can look forward to warmer-than-average early-summer temperatures, while those in the west will have “well-above average” temperatures come mid-to-late...

It’s Sunday evening and John and Mary Homeseller and Anita Deal, their real estate agent, are sitting at the dining room table, ready to confront a pile of purchase agreements....

Across the country, inventories of available homes are suppressed and buyers in most price ranges are meeting stiff competition for homes that are in decent condition and priced right. As...

Yikes! Doesn’t it seem that frigid temperatures greeted us in the morning just yesterday? Believe it or not, summer is knocking on the door. If you love entertaining outdoors during...

big pile of the money. dollars usa Budgets: They reflect a reality that we either revel in or despise. If yours is reflecting the fact that, yes, you can afford...

Caution: Taking action on a whim, without consulting your real estate agent, may be hazardous to your real estate transaction and, thus, your pocketbook. All questions, no matter how difficult...

From the elderly couple who broke down in tears when they returned to find a pile of rubble where their home once stood, to the countless stories about brave and...

Of the many questions we field from homeowners thinking of selling their homes, the most frequent starts with “What’s it worth?” Of course they’re referring to their home’s value, but...

Remember that first day on a new job when it sounded as if your colleagues were speaking a different language? Most industries have their own jargon and real estate is...

Sure, “tiny homes” are now a fact of life in the real estate world. No, they aren’t the rage some would have you think, but a minimalist lifestyle is on...

Will they go up again? It’s the top-of-mind question for lenders, real estate professionals and real estate consumers. When interest rates take a hike, the complexion of the housing market...

You can make all the necessary repairs to your home, clean it, stage it, maybe even remodel it. But there are some factors that may impact the eventual sales price...

In only three years, the number of Americans who claim to understand what a smart home is has jumped 53 percent, according to a Finn Futures survey. This doesn’t mean...

Most home sales go through without a hitch but there is always a chance that one will hit a snag somewhere along the line. Many of these are minor irritants,...

This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day and, like many holidays, it took the work of one tireless promoter to bring Mother’s Day to life. Her name was Anna Jarvis and...

It’s safe to say anyone who was in the market to buy a home last year knows that 2016 was a hot and heavy sellers’ market across the country. We...

Ah, May – it’s that time of year that our gardens explode and those of us itching to get out and get dirty are in gardening heaven. First things, first,...

While the real estate industry is wringing their collective hands over how to attract millennials to the market, the boomer generation is actively buying and selling homes. The National Association...

Quick! What’s the first thing most homeowners want to do upon closing on a new house? If you said “move in,” you’re correct. Unless you bought a total fixer, moving...

Ah, the paradox of water. We soak in it to soothe tired muscles, we relax to the sound of it falling on the roof, we frolic in it on the...

Kitchens and bathrooms are the workhorses of the house. Every member of the family spends time in each room, numerous times a day and, over the years, both can become...

Due diligence: it’s a fancy way of saying that a homebuyer should not depend on the word of the seller (even though, legally, the seller must reveal all known defects...

If you hope to begin your family in your newly-purchased home, you’ll no doubt cast an eye toward which room will serve as a nursery. We thought it might be...

Impulse buying. Think it only applies to the grocery store? Sadly, folks who have a tendency to live for today often choose even financial investments impulsively. We see it frequently...

Garden envy – a common malady of the condo dweller who longs for a patch of dirt in which to work his or her botanic magic. The arrival of spring...

When homebuilders stop building, inventories of homes for sale dwindle and we end up in a tight sellers’ market. While there are many reasons for the recent slowdown in new...

Even brand-new moms know to put those plastic things in electrical outlets and to child-proof cupboards that contain hazardous materials. What is less well known, however, is that the furniture in...

One of the decisions you’ll need to make when you make an offer to purchase a home is the closing date. Yes, it goes into the contract and all efforts,...

When looking at homes for sale, how much is privacy worth to you? If you place a premium on not feeling like you live in a fishbowl, but can only...

Picture this: You find the perfect buyer for your home. The offer is clean, the buyer is making few demands and the transaction begins humming along. Then, the home inspection...

With the official start of spring in less than one week, it’s time to fling open the windows, let out that stuffy winter air and repair the damage to the...

If your commute to work takes 25 minutes, congratulations – you’re average, according to a 2009 study by the United States Census Bureau. Commuting to work is a very real...

It’s hard enough to keep our outdoor plants alive during hot summers and frigid winters, but when our indoor plants start popping off it can be even more alarming. When...

Paying for your homeowner’s insurance is a routine that, over the years, becomes habit. The experts at AARP warn that allowing this routine to continue mindlessly can be a costly...

Although spring doesn’t officially start until Monday, March 20, we did gain more than an extra hour of daylight last month. Sure, it’s still cold and sometimes wet outside, but...

There’s no secret to getting a home sold quickly – the more people that view it, the better your chances of a quick sale. Unfortunately, too many real estate agents...

If your bedroom is merely a place to sleep and to store your clothing — if it isn’t a sanctuary to help buffer you from the effects of a hectic...

February, in many parts of the country, is that month when spring fever starts to set in. The phenomenon is no old wive’s tale, either, Sanford Auerbach, M.D., director of...

The ability to pay your bills on time and still have money left over at the end of the month makes you financially solvent, important when considering the future purchase...

Whether you refer to it as the loo, throne, potty or John, your toilet isn’t quite as indestructible as you may think. Sure, “toilets have an unlimited lifespan,” according to...

One of the biggest fears of most homebuyers is that there is something wrong with the home and it’s waiting for after the move-in to rear its ugly head. It...

I think it’s a safe bet that just about every home has a junk drawer. You know, that place you throw things because you can’t figure out where else to...

In a sellers’ real estate market when there are few homes available and a large pool of ready and willing buyers, many of those buyers get left in the dust....

Just when you think the drain on your savings couldn’t get any worse, you close on your new home, unlock the door and move in. All is right with the...

Landlords are a bit like dentists; folks typically try to avoid them as much as possible. But, it’s the dentist and the investment property owner who have the last laugh,...

In the information age the chances are pretty good that your personal information is in at least several databases that you may not even be aware of. Auto and homeowner insurance companies,...

In case you missed it, last summer Congress passed H.R. 3700, The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016. By the way, the bill passed unanimously in both the House...

If you can’t pay cash for your new home you’ll need a mortgage and, if you’re not in the market for a luxury home, you’ll need a mortgage created for...

Sure, we’re knee-deep in winter right now but before you know it, temperatures will warm, the garden will beckon and you’ll trade high heating bills for monstrous water bills. “Nationwide,...

Sometimes, it’s feast or famine in the house-hunting game. Depending on the market, you may find few, if any, suitable homes in your price range. Then there are times when...

The holidays are officially over and millions of American’s are sitting, shell-shocked, in the massive mess left behind in their homes. From grease-spattered stoves and backsplashes to gift wrap and...

  Take a trip across the street and then take a good long look at your house. What you’re seeing is your home’s curb appeal, the lack of which can...

Regardless of what went into the decision to sell your home, you most likely didn’t make it lightly. An addition to the family, relocation for a new job, divorce, downsizing,...

  Sure, we’re knee-deep in winter weather right now and many of the tips to save money on heating bills include projects that should’ve been undertaken in autumn. But, if...

With the new year knocking on the door, one of the questions I hear most frequently is where I think the real estate market is headed in 2017. Buyers, especially,...

Talking about older adults is a challenge. It’s not like talking about teenagers, or toddlers, who all pretty much like the same things. The group includes a broad range of...

Don’t you find it odd that so many people take better care of their cars than they do their homes? While maintaining your automobile is important, your home is far...

Ok, so you know you need a big chunk of cash to pay the lender for a down payment on that house you want to buy. You may even know...

The winter holidays – love them or not – are a time to celebrate. With celebration, however, often comes complacency. It’s a time of year when we are more prone...

From urban penthouses with amazing views to rural equestrian estates, luxury home settings can be beyond spectacular. Right now, the luxury market in our state is full of homes with...

It’s a brave homebuyer who decides to go through with the purchase of a home, despite an ugly, torn, tattered and/or dirty carpet. Floor covering can be pricey, especially if...

  Remember when declaring bankruptcy was kept a dirty little secret? The social stigma was bad enough, but the impacts of bankruptcy included employers who refused to hire anyone that...

Compromise is good, especially when deciding what you want in a home as opposed to what other family members want. There are certain criteria, however, that you should think long...

Have you made your list of must-haves for your new house? Like any shopping trip, a list of what you need and want makes the project a lot easier. Aside...

To many first-time homebuyers, one of the most confusing parts of the process is sitting across from the closing agent, who is tossing them pieces of paper from a huge...

In a perfect world, the entire family pitches in every morning to clean last night’s clutter and mess before heading out to work/school. In the real world? Not so much....

  Between the down payment and the closing costs for the mortgage, homebuyers aren’t left with a whole lot of money. Yet, there are still movers to pay and, quite...

Selling a home that reeks of tobacco smoke is quite the accomplishment and that you purchased it makes you one brave buckaroo. The accolades don’t help, though, when you come...

  We can think of several reasons why a homeowner would consider selling a home with problems, marketed in “as-is” condition. The most obvious, of course, is that there’s no...

  As you get close to closing on a new home thoughts tend to turn from dollar and cents, contracts and contingencies to furniture, paint colors, appliances and other décor....

Good for you if you deliberately sat out the summer madness that is inherent in the current housing market. If you’re serious about buying a home, you’re hopefully about to...

From how we’re expected to file our taxes to a lack of paycheck stubs to sometimes wild swings in income, the self-employed are a different breed. Applying for a mortgage...

We don’t blame you for wanting to squeeze every last penny out of the sale of your home. And, aside from just a handful of factors over which you have...

It’s hard to consider that in just a short time we’ll be bundling up for another winter but it’s on its way and there’s one fall maintenance chore that should...

Consider this: a mortgage program offers certain Americans a home loan with a zero down payment and no private mortgage insurance requirement. In addition, closing costs are limited and if...

  Imagine you need complicated surgery and you have an amazing insurance plan that allows you to choose your doctor from among every surgeon in your city. Not only that,...

Like shopping for anything expensive, shopping for a home requires research and a game plan. When you have a list of steps to take, the process will be far less...

Although experts in the real estate industry continually suggest the importance of seeing a lender before doing anything else with regards to purchasing a home, many buyers don’t. Instead, they...

The phrase “Homeowners Association” may sound innocuous enough to some but it sends shivers down the spines of many. In books and movies this group of homeowners is typically portrayed...

The seller of that home you are about to purchase no doubt thought long and hard about how much to ask for it. She consulted with her real estate agent...

It’s funny how a house doesn’t feel like an investment until it comes time to sell it. All of a sudden, after years of living there, the thought of its...

Ok, so, you didn’t set out to become an insurance expert – all you wanted to do was buy a house, after all. Yet, in the process, you ran up...

  Whether it was a foreclosure, short sale, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, a job loss or just plain irresponsibility, there are some steps you can take to get your credit score...

  When homeowners ask how to get a home sold, there is typically more to the question. For instance, some really want to know how to get it sold quickly,...

Once upon a time, in a sleepy little town in Minnesota, a man with big ideas and lots of vacant land decided to build a subdivision. The problem he faced...

It’s no secret that we all love our homes, and buying a new one can be an exciting investment. We put great effort into personalizing that home so that it...

  The bathroom is arguably one of the most important rooms in the house, and among the most frequently used. However, it is easy for homeowners to overlook this space...

According to a recent survey from bls.gov, the United States has created over 250,000 new non-farm jobs as of July, 2016. This, in effect, overshadowed the previous prediction of 180,000...

Setting your home’s selling price above its actual market value may seem like a great idea…right? You have room to deal with buyers who like to bargain aggressively. Plus, your...

There has been tremendous growth in the real estate sector in recent years. This has led to an increase in opportunities for home buyers with all kinds of budgets. More...

Retro home decor is making a comeback, and it’s doing it with style as many homeowners are now turning to the older days to give a new look to their...

Are you ready to put your property on the market? You might want to double check this list first! When you decide you’re ready to sell your home, you will have...

There has actually been an increase in older renters over the last 10 years. Those over the age of 55 actually contribute to about 42% of the rental market now....

If you’re considering retiring in the next 8-10 years then you might want to start considering your retirement home! If you buy it early there can be significant financial benefits....

Most renters tend to make plans for the next 6 to 12 months. However, sometimes life throws you something unexpected that changes your whole life plan. You may have been...

  The required amount of your deposit varies depending on the local real estate market and the state itself. Usually, it’ll be anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to...

Many home buyers are very diligent when it comes to studying up before they make their purchase. However, far too often 6 very important things go overlooked. These common oversights...

Glaring and ugly choice of paint? Exercise equipment cluttering up the kitchen? Weird and unsightly family photos located all over the house? Don’t let it bother you or affect how...

  You may see your new yard as a blank canvas, but make sure you consider your options before you start digging. So, you’ve finally had your bid accepted and...

When you’re looking for the right home you might find yourself with an endless sequence of choices. House or condo? Suburban or city centre? But there is one particular choice...

Home appraisal time, are you nervous yet? Don’t be, this doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience for you. If you use the right tools, and go into the process...

Whether you are revamping your own home or working on an investment property, renovating can be very expensive. Weigh up your home upgrade options There are not many homeowners with...

Compact housing options have actually gotten very popular in recent years, but if you could have the amount of space you were actually looking for at the price you wanted...

If you’re a seller and you have an agent, they’re obviously going to be spending a lot of time with you and your home. You can develop a very close...

Nothing is more disappointing to a homeowner than when their property sits on the market without receiving any offer. This can be a worrying situation. However, worrying too much is...

There are plenty of potential pitfalls with new construction; there are hundreds of nightmare stories of new homes that have gone terribly wrong. However, there are some steps you can...

Bring your home into the 21st century with some high tech home automation upgrades. Many people have already upgraded their property with home automation, but may be completely unaware that...

Let’s face it! Every home owner wants the best deal when they finally decide to sell their home. It’s every homeowner’s dream to see a bidding war ensue. Unfortunately, most...

Being a renter does have some advantages. No paying off the mortgage, no property taxes, and the landlord takes care of any maintenance and repair costs. However, renting your home...

Finding the right starter home can be quite a journey, it can also be emotionally exhausting. You have to establish what you’re looking for, needs versus wants. Consider pricing and...

After successfully submitting an offer on a property and having it accepted, there is a stage, usually up to three weeks, before the deal is concluded. During the wait before...

Ever heard of homebuyers remorse? It happens, but we don’t want it happening to you! So here’s some ways you can be sure to avoid feeling like this big purchase was anything...

While the home buying struggles of unmarried couples are well known, the process is not straight forward for married couples either. After tying the knot, many newlyweds look forward to...

When you’re house hunting it’s very easy to focus in on certain attributes of a house that you find appealing. Unfortunately when you narrow your focus in on the things...

Every now and again you’ll come across things around the house that you never use but you can’t throw away or donate. These items can take up significant space in your...