When referring to a home as being “underwater,” it’s easy to think that it means the home is literally underwater. Fortunately, there is no actual water despite the name. However, an underwater home is something that all homeowners hope to avoid. When a home is underwater, it means the home’s value has dropped below the amount that the owner currently owes on their mortgage. For example, if a buyer owes $250,000 on their home and a year later the estimated drops to $220,000, that home is now considered to be underwater. When this happens, it can be a scary time for the homeowner, but there are ..read more

Selling a home can seem like a daunting task, especially for those who are selling for the first time. It can be especially difficult to decide on a price for the home. Countless advice articles  warn homeowners that they should never price their home too high or too low—they need to decide on the perfect price from the very beginning. In order to help ensure a home performs the best it can on the market, homeowners should try to find a comparable home to compare it to price-wise. Here is everything homeowners should know about comparable homes and how to use them when selling a home. For ..read more

Moving to a new home is understandably a very busy time for any homeowner. With so much to do, it can be easy to let some things slip through the cracks. However, one thing that should never be forgotten is moving notifications. Homeowners need to send out moving notifications in order to ensure their mail is going to the right address, their new home has utilities, and so on. Here are the different moving notifications homeowners should always remember when making their moving to-do list. United States Postal Service It can be extremely problematic if a homeowner’s mail is going to the wrong ..read more

When a homeowner knows they’re going to be selling their home and moving to a new one, one of the first thoughts that they may have is how they’re going to move their things to their new home. Hiring a moving company is the easiest way to move, but many homeowners are worried their entire lives may not be in capable hands. And with all the horror stories found online, it’s no wonder homeowners are concerned. Fortunately, scam moving companies typically always have warning signs that homeowners can look for. Here are a few scam warning signs homeowners may encounter when choosing a moving compa ..read more

Home decorating can be fun, and it can improve your property's value. There are many things you can do to beautify your home—especially if you're trying to sell soon. These home decor basics can help homeowners like you make your property attractive for buyers, guests and yourself. Let in the Light Light makes spaces look bigger and more cheerful. There are many ways that homeowners can let light into their home. Windows are the greatest asset that homeowners have when trying to let natural light into their home. To capitalize on the light that comes through their windows, homeowners can: Clea ..read more

In recent years, young home buyers have often been told their first home should be a “starter home”. Starter homes are lower-cost homes that can be good for first-time home buyers. They typically don’t have all the cutting-edge features that are toted around in luxury homes, but they do come at a lower price that makes them more accessible to people who may not have a lot of savings yet. Here are some many advantages of owning a starter home that all first-time Centennial Hills home buyers should know before they start house hunting. Starter Homes Cost Less Starter homes are appealing to a lot ..read more

Aging in place can present challenges for seniors living in their single-family home. As people age, they begin to lose their ability to walk up stairs, get into the bathtub, use kitchen appliances and so on. Slips and falls become common as people get older. If you're a Green Valley homeowner who is planning for the future and who would like to age in place, there are many changes you can make to your house that might make independent living easier. Below are some functional home renovations that make aging in place easier and more realistic for people who want to continue to live at home ..read more

Buying a home in a foreign country can be challenging Differences from the Cadence home buying process can make navigating the real estate market in a foreign country difficult. In addition, securing financing in a foreign country is often challenging, because banks are reluctant to loan money to home buyers if they cannot easily recover the money in the event of a default. Home buyers who want to purchase a home in a foreign country can navigate the process more easily by talking to a real estate professional. Here's what you need to know. For informational purposes only. Always consult wi ..read more

As with anything regularly utilized, maintenance is a part of the deal. Homes are certainly no exception. Homeowners are responsible for doing all the maintenance themselves as a DIY project or hiring a third party to handle more intensive tasks. This handy guide is designed to help streamline home maintenance duties throughout the year. Monthly Home Maintenance Set aside time each month to perform these small but essential tasks. Check HVAC System: Inspect air filters in any main units as well as filtered return vents. Replace or clean dirty filters as needed. Those in dusty environm ..read more

Trees can be a great way to add life to a yard or garden and boost curb appeal. They provide shade, can flower in the spring, and can even be used to hang birdfeeders or other decorations from. However, not all trees are the same, and homeowners can’t just go to their local garden center and pick one at random. Many trees have traits that can be extremely inconvenient as the tree grows, and they can make themselves annoying to the homeowner or even damage the home. Here are some of the different traits all homeowners should avoid when choosing a new tree for their yard or garden. How Tall t ..read more