Cold and flu season is here, with a vengeance. Now, an unseasonably early arrival of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been on the rise causing pediatrician offices, urgent care centers, emergency departments and inpatient units across the U.S. reeling from extremely high patient volumes. It is most commonly spread through close contact with sick individuals or through contaminated surfaces so by taking a few simple measures, you can stop the spread of RSV in your family. Use Disinfectant Sprays Disinfectant sprays such as Lysol are also effective at killing 99.9 percent of bacteria and v ..read more

When you’re selling your home, you want it to look its absolute best for potential buyers. That’s where home staging comes in. Home staging brings out your home’s most impressive assets so that the maximum number of potential buyers can imagine themselves living in it. Home staging is a marketing strategy (with a dash of psychology). It’s adding and rearranging furniture and decor. It’s upgrading curb appeal. It’s doing whatever is necessary to dress up a house so it sells quickly and for the highest possible profit. Staging may be one of the most profitable undertakings you ever do in relati ..read more

Jumbo loans are quite common now. As home prices have skyrocketed, the number of borrowers who need larger loans has also increased. A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limit set by the federal government every year. Jumbo loans can be used for primary homes, second or vacation homes or investment properties, and they are available as both adjustable- and fixed-rate loans. Conforming Loan Limits Adjusted Annually The conforming loan limit is adjusted annually. In 2020, the conforming limit for your typical home loan was $510,400 in most parts of the U.S., but went as h ..read more

A tidy space can help you feel calm and relaxed, so it’s worth taking the time to keep things in order. Living in a small space can make this hard, but some organizing hacks for small spaces can make it easier. There are some tips to help you make the most of your limited space, whether you live in a studio apartment or a one-bedroom house. The following ideas will help you keep your small home neat and organized without feeling like you live in a crowded mess. Use Storage Baskets and Bins Organizing small spaces is easy with baskets and bins because they can hold a variety of items. The bask ..read more

When you’re self-employed and you want to buy a home, you fill out the same mortgage application as everyone else. Mortgage lenders also consider the same things when you’re a self-employed borrower: your credit score, how much debt you have, your assets and your income. It is true that self-employed homebuyers do have to jump through a few more hoops than a W-2 employee. Specifically, you’ll have to validate your income and self-employment history and have a record of uninterrupted self-employment income, usually for at least two years. Since business owners or freelancers usually have an in ..read more

How we’re spending our money has changed so much over the past 12 months. Whether you have saved more or exhausted your funds, we all need a little financial inspiration to help us save where we can. Add the double-whammy of increased energy prices and the oncoming holiday season, and it’s gearing up to be an expensive end to 2022. And a wallet-busting new year as well. We all need a few tips and tricks that save on basic living expenses each month. Here’s a few to try. Only Heat Areas You Use If you live in a big house (or even a normal-size one with a weird layout), then you might just cons ..read more

Inviting people into your home whether for a friendly visit or to purchase it, always causes some type of fear that your house may not smell the best. The odors in your house can be unpleasant and unwelcoming. No one likes to talk about household odors, but they are very common. Many people choose to eliminate unwanted odors with air fresheners, but these only mask them, rather than eliminating them. In order to eliminate unwanted odors from your home, you should start by eliminating the source rather than masking it with candles and room sprays. Here are some tips for removing unwanted odors ..read more

Investing in a home security system can give you peace of mind while you’re away from home or asleep at night. A bonus to getting a home security system is that they serve more than one purpose. They work as crime deterrents to ward off potential intruders, they serve as early warning systems for the home’s residents, and they provide helpful evidence to law enforcement if a crime does occur, so you’re getting a lot of service in exchange for your hard-earned cash. These days, a variety of security systems are available on the market but choosing the best alarm system for your home isn’t as s ..read more

Thanksgiving is one of the most wonderful times of the year in the US – a celebration of food, family, friends, and gratitude. It was originally a harvest festival, but has grown into one of the biggest holidays in the country. We have compiled a list of interesting things to incorporate into your Thanksgiving celebration, as there’s much more to do during this beautiful time of giving thanks than just eating. Write and Share Your Most Important Gratitudes The true meaning of Thanksgiving can be lost in all the fun and frenzy. Hand out pens and decorative paper to your guests and ask them to ..read more

Holiday travel is here with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner! During this time of year traveling can be challenging thanks to the nearly two million travelers per day jet setting during these holiday months. To help keep your sanity and to make sure you arrive at your destination and not stuck in a security line or worse. Here are some tips that will come in handy when you book your next holiday vacation. Buy Now The price of a plane ticket is already high and increasing by the day. So, if you’re looking for the best deal on a flight for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you might w ..read more