How Much Does it Cost to Live in Fenton? Known for its many beautiful parks, Fenton, Michigan, is a charming town divided by the Shiawassee River. In addition to its many beautiful natural resources, the city of Fenton has a very affordable cost of living. Overall, the cost of living in Fenton is rated at 95.9 out of 100 on the cost-of-living scale. And while this is a little higher than the Michigan average cost of living, which is 89.6, it is still below the U.S. national average of 100. The cost-of-living index in Fenton has gone up by roughly 1.3% from the previous year. Utility costs in ..read more

Moving to a new home involves a lot of planning and coordination. However, planning is crucial to avoiding stress and mistakes as you change homes. It's helpful to create a moving timeline so each step can be ticked off the list in a timely fashion. Starting moving preparations as early as three months out can make the experience more straightforward than ever before. Stick to a comprehensive timeline, and by the time moving day comes, there will be nothing left to do but enjoy your new home. Continue reading to find the best tips for preparing your timeline for moving homes. Three Months Befo ..read more

When people consider options to finance a real estate purchase, they may start by looking at mortgages. However, there are other types of funding, including hard money loans. Hard money loans offer a different type of lending experience, aimed primarily at investors but also available to homebuyers in certain cases. Since these loans are significantly different from mortgages, it is vital that potential borrowers understand these differences. By learning how a hard money loan works and the primary use of these loans, borrowers can decide which financing is best for their projects. Table of Con ..read more

Home improvements can add quality to a homeowner's lifestyle and increase the value of a home if done strategically. However, most homeowners don't want to sink tens of thousands of dollars into their homes if they won't see a strong return on investment (ROI). Some upgrades are expensive but don't add to the home's resale value. Others are more affordable and pay for themselves over time. People who plan to sell their homes at some point should be particularly focused on greater ROI home improvements because maximizing home equity can help pay for capital gains taxes when selling. Read on to ..read more

Once a home seeker finds the perfect house, they typically want to put in a bid, conduct a home inspection, and start the ball rolling. However, a few factors that can be overlooked are commute times, access to public transportation, and nearby routes. An otherwise perfect home could turn out to be a disaster if the supporting infrastructure they need to get to work or school isn't accessible. Homeowners should consider all lifestyle elements of the neighborhood into consideration before moving forward with the purchase. Stressful commutes or access to amenities can harm the quality of life. R ..read more

Recent trends are pushing home builders to make houses more energy-efficient. But what if a home was constructed before the newest technologies were released? For homeowners interested in making their houses more eco-friendly, there's no need to rebuild. Energy-efficient home improvement projects can put older homes on par with the latest sustainable construction trends and deliver a strong return on investment (ROI). Keep reading to learn about 11 energy-efficient home improvement projects that practically pay for themselves. Conduct an Energy Audit An energy audit typically costs a few hundr ..read more

Out of the estimated 2.5 million burglaries annually in the U.S., many of them could have been prevented with home security systems. However, not all of these crimes are considered the same, as situations involve forcible entry, completed burglaries, and unlawful entry without force. Even as frightening as the statistics are, the truth is that property crimes have become less prevalent in recent years. The downwards trend in break-ins is likely attributed to the widespread availability and affordability of home security systems. Their presence is a deterrent, as would-be home invaders are know ..read more

As a homeowner, it's important to be aware of the top safety hazards found in residences. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2019, about 76% of preventable injury-related deaths occurred in homes and communities, up 4.9% from the previous year. No one wants anyone to be injured in their homes, but unfortunately, sometimes hidden home hazards are overlooked. Read on to learn about the five top hidden home safety hazards all homeowners should address. Clear Pathways Stop Fall-Related Hazards Falls are consistently the most common home injury, and they occur in a variety of ways ..read more

Smart features are a massive draw for homebuyers. Homeowners that want to upgrade their home while receiving a solid ROI can't go wrong by integrating innovative technology. Not only do smart home features boost the convenience factor while still living in the home, real estate agents consistently say buyers are willing to pay more for homes that feature smart tech. Looking to upgrade? Read on to learn about six smart home improvements with a strong return on investment. Smart Thermostat Pay Off Fast Programmable thermostats offer homeowners more control over conventional thermostats to conser ..read more

Recent trends are pushing home builders to make houses more energy-efficient. But what if a home was constructed before the newest technologies were released? For homeowners interested in making their houses more eco-friendly, there's no need to rebuild. Energy-efficient home improvement projects can put older homes on par with the latest sustainable construction trends and deliver a strong return on investment (ROI). Keep reading to learn about 11 energy-efficient home improvement projects that practically pay for themselves. Conduct an Energy Audit An energy audit typically costs a few hundr ..read more