Have you noticed there is a new push for downsizing the way we live? Homeowners are realizing that “living large” doesn’t always mean bigger is better. In fact there are many benefits to downsizing to a smaller home. Whether the decision is voluntarily are you’re forced to move for job relocation or other life event, […]
Tag Archives: buying a home
6 Things to Consider When Buying a Flip
Gorgeous hardwood floors, wrought iron spindles, a center island kitchen with soft close cabinets and sparkling granite counter tops, finished basements with media rooms. These rehabbed homes aren’t always what they seem and buyers need to look past these trendy finishes and assess the condition of the structural and mechanical elements of the home as well […]
Should You Change the Locks or Rekey Your New Home?
If no new holes are needed in the door or door jamb, replacing the locks on your new home is a fairly straightforward, DIY job. A properly locked door is your first line of defense against intruders. Of course, that defense is not very reliable if you’re not sure who has keys to those locks. There are […]
What to Do if Your Home has Radon?
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium, which is found in nearly all soil types. It can travel upward, through the soil, into the air and into your home through cracks, gaps or the water supply. Radon isn’t picky about the homes it enters. It can be found […]
Attention Home Shoppers… You Now Have More Leverage
Home Buyer Advantage Starts Now If you’ve been aching to buy a home but haven’t been able to seal the deal— we feel your pain. After all, pent-up demand left over from tight supply over the past two years, against the backdrop of mortgage rates remaining near three-year lows, combined with continued low inventory levels and fewer homes for sale […]
Interpreting Foundation Cracks
Houses, no matter their age, will shift and settle over time resulting in cracks. Cracks may appear in either finishes or structural components. Though they usually have no structural significance, it’s worth some detective work to help homeowners understand the difference between different types of foundation cracks. Here are some visual guidelines: Shrinkage Cracks Concrete […]
Self-Employed? Keys to Getting Approved for a Mortgage and Buying a Home
If you’re self-employed your office might be a built-in desk in the corner of a spare bedroom, a downtown co-working space, or the front seat of your car. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there are 15 million self-employed workers in America living the dream, being their own boss. Sure, it can be a struggle, […]
Common Title Problems that Can Impact Your Home Closing
In almost all real estate transactions, there are title issues that must be cleared up in order to transfer ownership of the home from the seller to the buyer. Does the seller have the legal right to sell the property? Is the home’s title free of “clouds” or “defects” — such as judgments, liens or […]
4 Common Moving Scams and How to Avoid Them
Every year, thousands of people—fall victim to moving fraud, according to the Protect Your Move campaign by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. We know what you’re thinking… As if it wasn’t already stressful enough to pack up all your worldly belongings and hire a group of (impressively strong) total strangers to cart them from one […]
Should You Buy a Home Together Before or After the Wedding?
Engaged couples are often bombarded with choices — from color schemes to seating arrangements to cake flavors. One choice, perhaps the most daunting one is whether to buy a house before or after the marriage. Marital status is not the most important factor couples should consider when deciding when they should buy a home. Instead, […]