For buyers, one of the most exciting parts of the homebuying process is walking through a house in person. During a tour, you get a chance to see the layout of the house, scope out the bedrooms, and begin to imagine building a life there. Buyers can fall in love with a home’s location and finishings during a tour, or they can be put off by finding damage — or simply discover it’s not the right fit for them. One way prospective buyers can tour homes without the pressure of booking a private showing is by attending open houses. Open houses allow buyers to take a close look at ..read more

Are you ready for homeownership? Select Properties is prepared to help make the buying process go seamlessly. From mortgage preapproval to closing costs, this step-by-step homebuying guide can help make your dreams of home ownership a reality.  Click here to see our Buyer’s Guide. The post Home Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Northeast Arkansas Real Estate ..read more

  By Meera Pal Apr 18, 2023 EnvelopeFacebookTwitterLinkedinPinterest It’s hard to imagine that just a few years ago, mortgage rates were at record lows, falling below 3%. Yet by the end of last year, rates for the benchmark 30-year fixed loan had shot up over 7%, a record 20-year high. Understandably, homebuyers have been suffering from a severe case of whiplash. Can they stomach these higher rates and still afford a house? Many aren’t sure. “It’s different from any market that I’ve been through before,” says Ralph DiBugnara, a mortgage banker, real estate investor, and president of Hom ..read more

Don’t believe all the tips and tricks that promise to reduce your energy consumption. By Steph Coelho  Some of the questionable energy-saving tips you’ve run across may have had some validity a long time ago, but with the technological advancements of past years, a lot of the information circulating out there just isn’t accurate anymore. It’s time to retire those tired old suggestions for reducing energy costs and instead adopt some practical, real-life measures that genuinely work. Check out these 10 energy-savings myths we want to see wiped from the internet. MYTH 1: Close vents in e ..read more

How to Clean Out Your Pantry in 4 Easy Steps   No matter whether you have a dedicated pantry or just a couple of shelves in a cabinet for food storage, keeping it clean and organized is important. With an organized pantry, you can help protect your food from insect infestation, save money by using products before they expire, and access ingredients quickly during meal preparation. Cleaning a pantry takes a bit of time but you can do it with just four easy steps. Set aside an hour or so and you’ll be amazed at how good your pantry can look and function.   How Often to Clean Out Your ..read more

Hot Home Design Trends This Summer Design & Architecture, Design Trends By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey   Find out what home styles—both interior and exterior—are seeing dramatic increases in online searches. Homeowners are trying to maximize their space by taking on remodeling projects geared toward creating new living areas while overhauling their property’s style, according to the 2023 Houzz U.S. Emerging Summer Trends Report. Houzz, a home improvement site, analyzed the latest search insights from homeowners, designers and contractors to identify the following top trend ..read more

Jennifer Prince published Nov 7, 2022 Buying a home for the first time is an exciting phase of life. After renting or living with family, it’s finally time to have your own place. What once seemed like a dream can quickly become a reality once you find the perfect place — after your offer gets accepted and you eventually close. Having keys in hand and walking through your home for the first time is so gratifying. However, a few things can quickly bring your head out of the clouds if you aren’t in the know. Of course, owning a mortgage is well worth the investment in yourself and your futu ..read more

  KEY POINTS Higher credit scores pave the way to lower rates, potentially saving thousands of dollars in interest charges. The highest tier is anything over 800, which can unlock even better terms. Here’s a breakdown of how your credit score is calculated and ways you can improve it. Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the better off you are when it comes to getting a loan. FICO scores, the most popular scoring model, range from 300 to 850. A “good” score generally is above 670, a “very good” score is over 740 and anything above 800 is considered “exceptio ..read more

By Kathleen Willcox Mar 28, 2023 As the weather warms up, homeowners are flocking to the great outdoors—right in their own backyards. And shouldn’t that experience be as inviting and life-affirming as possible? When it comes to outfitting your outdoor space, be sure to include the bare necessities—comfortable furniture and green plants to liven up the space, for starters. But what other items will help transform your backyard into a space where everybody wants to hang out? We have answers! There’s a bevy of outdoor decor pieces that are resonating with buyers these days. Data collected ov ..read more

  Give your home a high-end look without embarking on an extensive and costly remodel. A few quick, low-cost updates can make your home appear newer, larger, and more upscale. Give your space fresh appeal with these budget-friendly ideas to make it look more expensive. Paint Trim JOYELLE WEST Trimwork highlights your home’s features, drawing extra attention to walls, windows, staircases, and more. Painting trim an updated color can further define these elements and contribute to a high-end look. Cover dated-looking woodwork with a fresh coat of white paint, or choose a contrasting tr ..read more