Hear what title pros say to do — and not do — before closing on a house. Ever notice that when you’re unprepared, it heats up stressful situations? Take the preclosing stage of the home-buying process. You may keep thinking about the money at stake, while forms, disclosures, and reports fly at you. It’s enough to overwhelm anyone. Anyone who isn’t well prepared, that is. You can get a head start, though, by following advice from three title professionals: Cynthia Durham Blair, an attorney at Blair Cato Pickren Casterline in Columbia, S.C., and a past president of the American Land Title Associ ..read more

Like that annoying squeaky floor board. Easy as tossing a ball to fix! Accomplishments — even little ones — go a long way toward a sunny outlook. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, quick home repair chores you can do when you’re mired in the thick of winter. For max efficiency, make a to-do list ahead of time and shop for all the tools and supplies in one trip. On your work days, put the basics in a caddy and carry it from room to room, checking off completed tasks as you speed through them. #1 Sagging Towel Rack or Wobbly TP Holder Unscrew the fixture and look for the culprit. It’s proba ..read more

All it takes is for one ember to fall on your roof. Don’t let it happen. How do most homes ignite during a wildfire? A floating ember or piece of burning wood touches down on a roof, gutter, in a vent, under a deck, or on a porch and ignites leaves and debris, says the National Fire Protection Association. Or else, a surface fire simply takes the fast lane to your home via dry vegetation. With that in mind, fortify your home like the castle it is with these 13 wildfire-repelling steps. But keep in mind that no product or technique is a failsafe against a raging fire. #1 Check Smoke and Carbon ..read more

Go ahead and get that energy audit. And schedule snow plowing. Take a few minutes out of your pool time this month to do these four tasks. Then you’ll have more time to eat popcorn in front of the fire next January. #1 Call the Snow Plow Now If you live in snow-prone areas, now’s the time to get your name on the snow-plow contractor’s schedule. By the time your car’s buried in the driveway, their rosters will be full. #2 Schedule Furnace Service Get ready for sweater weather — and beat the rush — by scheduling the annual fall service for your furnace now. If you don’t already have one, ask ab ..read more

Would you throw away $20,000? You are if you’re letting your home age faster than it should. Here’s a simple maintenance strategy to keep your home young. You know how Dr. Oz says that if you keep your body fit and your mind nimble, you’re likely younger than your chronological years? The same principle applies to your house. An out-of-shape house is older than its years and could lose 10% of its appraised value, says Mack Strickland, an appraiser and real estate agent in Chester, Va. That’s a $15,000 to $20,000 adjustment for the average home. But good maintenance can even add value. A study ..read more

It’s a confusing time, but lenders are putting remedies, like forbearance, in place to help homeowners. Mortgage lenders, and the federal agencies that regulate lenders, are putting coronavirus mortgage relief measures in place to ensure homeowners have options if they’re unable to make payments. Your first stop in the face of financial hardship is your lender or bank. Just keep in mind lenders are working to figure out and implement the new mortgage relief polices outlined by the regulatory agencies. So you might read one thing from the FHFA, a federal regulator, but your bank might be doing ..read more

I understand there is a vital need for many to purchase and sell homes or refinance amidst the pandemic. Real estate services are considered an essential business in both Minnesota and Wisconsin during this time, but please be assured that we are making every attempt to do things virtually whenever possible. The health and safety of our communities and clients are a top priority, and during these unprecedented times, I’m doing my part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. I am open for business and here for you, but our offices have temporarily closed. I continue working remotely, offering v ..read more

Hear what title pros say to do — and not do — before closing on a house. Ever notice that when you’re unprepared, it heats up stressful situations? Take the preclosing stage of the home-buying process. You may keep thinking about the money at stake, while forms, disclosures, and reports fly at you. It’s enough to overwhelm anyone. Anyone who isn’t well prepared, that is. You can get a head start, though, by following advice from three title professionals: Cynthia Durham Blair, an attorney at Blair Cato Pickren Casterline in Columbia, S.C., and a past president of the American Land Title Associ ..read more

You and your agent are going to use everything you’ve learned to seal the deal. Here’s the dream: Your offer is perfect, you don’t need to negotiate, and you can spend the next few weeks addressing more pressing home-ownership questions, like “Why is it called wainscoting?” and “Do I want a new couch in blush or emerald green?” And it could happen. Many sellers accept the best offer they receive, and for a variety of reasons. But sellers are also known to reject offers for a variety of reasons. Or make counteroffers. This is especially likely if you bid low, or when you’re up against multiple ..read more

Like that annoying squeaky floor board. Easy as tossing a ball to fix! Accomplishments — even little ones — go a long way toward a sunny outlook. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, quick home repair chores you can do when you’re mired in the thick of winter. For max efficiency, make a to-do list ahead of time and shop for all the tools and supplies in one trip. On your work days, put the basics in a caddy and carry it from room to room, checking off completed tasks as you speed through them. #1 Sagging Towel Rack or Wobbly TP Holder Unscrew the fixture and look for the culprit. It’s proba ..read more