Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva Home renovation projects can be expensive, time-consuming, and messy. Even if you’ve done it before, you’ll want to plan as much as possible before you begin. Knowing what to expect and how to navigate common challenges will help the process run smoothly and ensure your home renovation produces the desired results. In this article from Dave Futch, we explore some common things to expect during your home renovation so you can be prepared! Your Contractors Will Use Estimating Software Before hiring contractors, try to get quotes from a few different professionals. Th ..read more

Although the Federal Reserve approved another jumbo rate hike, mortgage rates dropped below 7% this week. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.95% from 7.08% the previous week. It seems that rates have already priced in some of the effects of the Fed's higher interest rates. Investors usually react based on their expectations and don't wait until the day the Fed actually makes its move. It is also promising that this was likely the last rate hike of this magnitude, as indicated by the Fed. A return to the sky-high interest rates of the 1980s isn't likely in today ..read more

The home buying process can often be very stressful, unless you have a great financing expert in place that can help you find the home loan to reach your financial goals and make the entire process easier for you. Here are some of the ways having the right financing expert in place can help you with your home purchase… Photo by karolina grabowska on PEXELS #1. Having the Extra Advantage of a Pre-Approval A pre-approval will give you the extra advantage when you find your perfect home, allowing you to be prepared to make an offer of your dream home ahead of time, and beat out the other potenti ..read more

Your home is a major investment. If you are one of the many Americans who moved over the last several years or are planning to buy a new home soon, you might be wondering how you can protect your asset. Luckily, smart-home features offer many layers of protection for your home and your family. Aleksei Naumov / Getty New Locks It doesn’t matter if you’ve purchased a home in an established neighborhood or a newly built home. Changing the locks is essential for safety. If you’ve ever wondered whether you remembered to lock your front door, or if you plan to have work done on your home and want t ..read more

People who own at-home businesses know that out-growing your space can cause significant delays and make running your business more difficult. When this happens, it's time to move on to a new home with better accommodations. Consider these tips to help you find the right home for your personal and professional life. Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA 1. Hire a Local Realtor The first stage of the home buying process is working with a trusted realtor in the area to help you find your ideal home. Dave Futch has access to properties in your area that you could not access alone. Additionally, he has establi ..read more

Homeowners are spending a median of $9,000 on bathroom renovations, which is 13% higher than last year, a new study finds. These are their favorite trends. © Jessica Cain - Houzz Homeowners are spending more money to spruce up their bathrooms as the pandemic-fueled home renovation boom continues. The national median spend for bathroom renovations jumped nearly 13% year over year to $9,000, according to the 2022 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, a survey of more than 2,500 homeowners who are planning or recently completed a bathroom renovation. “Bathrooms have always been a top room to renovat ..read more

You own properties in multiple states, and you’re used to moving between them with your pets! But perhaps you’re thinking about expanding your real estate portfolio, and before you do so, you want to nail down a better pet care routine and lifestyle budget. With help from Dave Futch, you can find the perfect new property in paradise for you and your pets! Furthermore, these tips will help you navigate multi-state home ownership with your beloved pets. Photo by Blue Bird Stocking Your Properties No matter where you’re staying, you’ll want to ensure that you have everything you need for your pe ..read more

Green is in when it comes to design, especially amongst the younger buying pool, and staircase gardens provide a unique, aesthetically pleasing look for those who want a touch of nature. Alberto Orozco / EyeEm / Getty Staircases serve an important function both in and out of homes, but their ability to add aesthetic value to a space often goes unrealized. As the desire to bring nature into the home has increased in recent years, homeowners have found a new purpose for these transitional features: staircase gardens. Evoking whimsy, staircases adorned with potted plants or trailing vines add a ..read more

The business of home staging is under transformation. Though physical staging has long dominated the market, virtual staging is quickly becoming a go-to option, but whether it’s the better option depends on several factors. Key takeaways: Staging helps highlight a home’s space and architecture and appeals to the broadest buyer market. Virtual staging is coming up quickly, offering a lower cost, more flexibility, and a shorter timetable than traditional staging. Help sellers decide which option is best for them by looking at factors like budgets and timetables. ©Amanda Wiss, Urban Clar ..read more

A new Maui County Disposable Bodyboard Ban takes effect Tuesday, August 9th, prohibiting the sale, rental or distribution of polystyrene bodyboards on local beaches on Maui. Photo by Fabrice Nerfin on Unsplash A new law banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable polystyrene bodyboards goes into effect on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The ordinance to amend the original plastic bag ban was introduced last year by Councilmember Tamara Paltin to limit the number of bodyboards discarded on beaches after few uses. Disposable bodyboards are not durable and are easily broken during use ..read more