Valuable information for buyers and sellers. There is no doubt that this is a great time to buy a house. Purchasing a home has remained affordable, primarily because of the extended period of historically low interest rates that has continued for more than two years. A wide variety of properties from which to choose and […]
Selling a Home In The Summer Months
Summertime means barbecues, outdoor fun and lots of sunshine, flowers and greenery. The commonality among all of those rites of summer is that they draw attention to a home’s landscaping and outdoor spaces. Homeowners who are selling their home in the summer months should make an effort to highlight their home’s usable outdoor space. […]
Taking the Plunge with an In-Ground Pool
Whether you’re thinking of buying a home with an in-ground pool or toying with the idea of having one built, there are many important considerations to take into account. In addition to significant installation costs for those building a new pool, all homeowners with a pool will need to be mindful of ongoing maintenance […]
Be Prepared for Home Emergencies
With this week marking the start of the 2011 hurricane season, as well as the many reported tornadoes over the past several month, there is no better time to take steps to ensure your family remains safe in case of a natural disaster. There is no guarantee of outside help, so homeowners should take […]
Eliminate Electrical Hazards
Electricity is an increasing presence in our modern lives. As our reliance on electricity grows, so does the potential for electrical safety hazards. The good news is that electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees and communities can prevent electrical fires, injuries, fatalities and property loss. To increase public awareness of the […]
Recycle
Whether you’re doing some much-needed spring cleaning or de-cluttering in advance of selling your home, it is inevitable that you will wind up with many items that you’d like to get rid of. As they say, your trash may be someone else’s treasure, so think carefully before just throwing all of your unwanted items […]
Signs of Recovery in Real Estate
Several reports out this week indicate that the recovery in the real estate market is continuing, and that buyers continue to be motivated by today’s high home affordability and the fact that owning a home is now less expensive than renting in many areas. In March, sales of existing single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and […]
Increasing Value with Landscaping
Landscaping really does make a difference – both positively and negatively. Not only does a well-landscaped home have a higher perceived value than one with a plain lawn, but one with a minimal landscaping effort actually can detract from a home’s value. Luckily, landscaping projects don’t have to cost a lot and should be […]
Buying a Home with Gas Fixtures
Natural gas is America’s most popular home-heating fuel because it is efficient, clean and reliable. Because of this, there is a high likelihood that the home you are considering purchasing has natural gas fixtures. When properly installed and routinely maintained gas fixtures, such as the clothes dryer, stove and furnace, are safe and trouble-free. However, […]
Spring Maintenance
Spring is best known for blooming flowers, warm sunshine and longer days. But, the arrival of spring also brings with it some key maintenance tasks all homeowners should tackle in order to prevent structural damage, save energy and keep their home’s systems running properly. Take some time in the coming weeks to closely examine your […]