THE BLOG

5 Trendy Tips to Enhance a Small Porch

5 Trendy Tips to Enhance a Small Porch

Who doesn’t love the idea of a front porch? Picture a cool lemonade in the shade on a hot summer’s day while watching the world go by. Home builders have embraced this ideal over the past couple of decades with more new construction featuring this timeless feature....

10 Things to Remove from Your Home When Listing for Sale

10 Things to Remove from Your Home When Listing for Sale

One of the most common questions from home sellers is, “do I really need to put my family pictures away”? The short answer is “yes,” but maybe not for the reasons you assume. The general principle is that buyers need to be able to visualize their own lives in the home...

What is a credit re-score?

What is a credit re-score?

If you’re ready to buy a new home, you know that a good FICO score is critical to the process. Your FICO affects not just your ability to buy a new home, but the interest rate and fees you’ll pay for the new loan. Often, buyers are shocked to realize their credit...

Home Values Have Gone Up – Can You Drop Your Mortgage Insurance?

Home Values Have Gone Up – Can You Drop Your Mortgage Insurance?

Everyone is looking for ways to save money these days. With rampant inflation and soaring energy costs, everything is costing more than it was a year ago. The good news is that in most areas, home values rose along with everything else, and many homeowners have...

6 Factors That Could Damage Your Credit Score

6 Factors That Could Damage Your Credit Score

Having good credit is essential for a number of aspects of your life, ranging from the interest rate on a car loan or credit card to background checks for employment. Poor credit can be incredibly expensive, costing you thousands of dollars in higher interest rates...

5 Modern Details to Update Your Traditional Living Room

5 Modern Details to Update Your Traditional Living Room

The New Year is here and as soon as the holiday decorations are stored, it’s time to revive the living room space. New Year, new beginnings; your home is ready for an update just like you! Fortunately, you can get a fresh look for your living room without major...

Seller Concession Limits

Seller Concession Limits

The real estate market is shifting. In some areas of the country, it has flipped to a strong buyer’s market. Sellers challenged by this change are looking for creative ways to attract buyers. In addition, buyers suddenly in the driver’s seat are asking for more...

Ceiling Design Ideas That Add Impact

Ceiling Design Ideas That Add Impact

For most people, the only effort they place into the ceiling design is removing the old popcorn treatment. While this is certainly an important first step, there are many ways to use the ceiling to add interest and impact to any room. Considered the “fifth wall” by...

What Does “Clear to Close” Mean?

What Does “Clear to Close” Mean?

One of the best things a homebuyer can hear is, “we have ‘clear to close.’” It’s one of the biggest milestones in the mortgage lending process and means the underwriter has cleared the application to move forward to document signing and close of escrow. While a...