If you’re adding to your family this year, congratulations! It’s an exciting time with lots to look forward to. As in other areas of the home, baby nursery décor preferences change and each year, it’s out with old and in with the new. We’ve scoured the internet to learn from design experts what you can expect to see when you shop to outfit your baby’s room. Going with a theme? Look to the night sky for inspiration for a theme in the nursery. According to Rated People’s Nursery Trends Report, stars are all the rage in the 2022 nursery. You’ll find star-themed nursery ideas on Pinterest.com. Wo ..read more

From the moment you enter into the homebuying arena you’ll notice that you need to learn a whole new language. From the mortgage process to the title process and more, there is a lot to learn. The mortgage process seems to offer up the most confusing terms, according to our clients. One of those is “conforming loan.” Yes, it sounds boring, but you really should know all about it. So, let’s dive in. The definition A conforming loan is, in a nutshell, a conventional loan. But there’s more to the definition. “A conforming loan is a mortgage that meets the dollar limits set by the Federal Housing ..read more

If you’re in the market to buy a home you know what we mean when we say “Yikes!” First, there are so few homes available, especially in the more popular price ranges (such as those for first-time buyers) that those in good condition sell quickly, sometimes with multiple offers. A tight inventory of available homes drives up prices. Now, if you’re a homeowner considering selling your home, this is good news because you’ll get top dollar (again, if your home is in good condition). For homebuyers, however, it’s beyond frustrating. So, how long is this situation going to last and what needs to ha ..read more

We recently read a survey of young Americans who want to buy homes but think they can’t. Their reasons for feeling this way are a bit shocking. We assumed the number one reason they feel they can’t buy a home is because of the current, overheated market with rapidly escalating prices. That isn’t the case however. So, today we unwrap the misconceptions and challenge them. Misconception number one: To get a mortgage you must pay at least 10% for a down payment We found this surprising mainly because the myth we hear most often is that down payments must be 20%. Where this group of young homebuy ..read more

It’s probably happened to all of us. While washing your hands in the bathroom the sink begins filling and filling and not draining. It’s annoying. Thankfully, your chances are good that you won’t need to call a plumber. Try these handy tips we’ve rounded up from the pros. How to unclog a drain Unless you’ve been putting things down the drain that aren’t meant to be disposed of via plumbing, (kids love to do that) the typical kitchen sink clog is a gooey mess of grease and food. In the tub and bathroom sinks, add hair to the mix. The best first step when approaching a drain clog is to use hot ..read more

Just as you wouldn’t dream of using your soon-to-be-former-spouse’s attorney in your divorce proceedings, so should you not use the seller’s real estate agent when you purchase a home. Sure, buying a home isn’t quite the adversarial process that a divorce is, but real estate agents, like divorce lawyers, are trained to be committed to the interests of only one party in a negotiation. They have certain ethical principles they must abide by that, most of the time, preclude them from representing both parties. It is a clear conflict of interest. And, the practice is either illegal or heavily reg ..read more

The American consumer was slow to catch on, but today we have a growing awareness of the environment and how it’s impacted by humans. “A new study across 24 countries reveals 58% of adults are more mindful of their impact on the environment, and 85% said they’re willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability challenges.” according to MasterCard newsroom editors. We also expect large corporations and brands to follow suit and to “… behave in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.” Change begins at home, don’t you agree? Today we share some tips with you about thre ..read more

Selling a home and garage sales. They’re like cookies and milk, macaroni and cheese or peanut butter and jelly – they just go together. Especially if you’ll be staging the home before putting it on the market, depersonalizing and getting rid of clutter are important steps. Plus, those tasks help lighten the load when it comes to packing for the move. We recommend going through your home, room-by-room, scrutinizing every item. Do I really need/want this? If not, start a “garage sale pile” or box[es]. Whether it’s a giant or moderate purge you’re looking at, holding a garage sale is a great way ..read more

American homebuyers primarily shop for homes online before choosing a real estate agent. They crave lots of interior and exterior photos and many won’t read about a listing that doesn’t have them. For example, a consumer wrote in a forum at CityData.com “As I am looking at a listing, if there are no photos, I disregard the listing. . . and if the bedrooms and baths aren’t shown, I disregard the listing.” There are reasons that a listing may not include photos of the home. These include: The seller requests that no photos be published The photos aren’t ready to be published yet Often, homes i ..read more

Something interesting happens to folks when they make the decision to buy a home. That decision is like rocket fuel, propelling them into the car and on the road to their local Sunday open houses. While this may be fun, it’s not an efficient or intelligent way to shop for a new home. If you had a real estate agent at this point in the house hunt he or she would counsel you to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Only then will you know how much you can spend on a house. But wait – don’t step onto the launch pad just yet. Have you ever watched that TV show about first time homebuyers? The real est ..read more