The Pros and Cons of a Large Refrigerator

When we moved to our new home, one of the options we had was whether or not to keep the refrigerator that was already here. We had to leave our old one at our old home for the new owners. The refrigerator that went with our new home was old and small, so the decision wasn’t too hard to make on letting it go. This meant that we needed to shop for a new refrigerator. Because we were starting from scratch, we could pretty much pick out whatever refrigerator we wanted, within a reasonable budget of course. One of my … Continue reading

4 Landscape Lighting Types

Outside lighting is one of the newest trends in curb appeal of a home. Once used for safety and security, landscape lighting now also serves to enhance your home. If you are ready to take on some landscape lightening, you’ll want to know all about the four most popular lighting types. Here they are. Tier Lighting Tier lighting usually contains multiple levels or pyramid shapes. Think of a small post that has a small hanging lantern from it. Tier lighting casts light over small areas and can be used for narrow paths and level walkways. They are usually available as … Continue reading

Is the Short Sale Right for You?

Despite the downsides, the reality is that sometimes you have to sell your home even in a bad housing market. One result of this mark is the increasing popularity of the short sale. What is a short sale? Well, there are two applications for the definition. In the first, you are selling your home for less than you paid or for less than what you have remaining on your mortgage. You are in negative equity. It doesn’t seem fair, but if you purchased your home in the last two to five years, and need to sell it today, this negative … Continue reading

More Reasons to Move

Are you contemplating making a move to a new home? It can be a scary time to move because of the rising cost of food and gas can eat into your budget. And selling a home may be difficult or take longer in today’s market. Still, don’t let anyone tell you that you shouldn’t move when you want to move. The experts may advise against trying to sell a home right now, but the truth is that there are very good reasons to sell a home, and selling your home right now could be the best thing for your family. … Continue reading

Can’t Sell Your Home? Here Are Some Options

We all know that the real estate market is having a difficult time right now. Houses are still selling, but selling a home isn’t always guaranteed. If you need to move right away and your home just isn’t selling, here are some options you can try. Turn the home into a rental Renting your home can be a good option for a number of reasons. The first of course is to cover the mortgage and taxes on the home to reduce your expenses. Having the rental income will give you some peace of mind, knowing that you will be able … Continue reading

Will Your Home Sell in a Recession? Broad Appeal

Are you wondering if it is the right time to sell your current home? Are you worried about all the information and opinion in the media that tell us that this is the wrong time to put a home on the market? There are certain elements that will sell a home, no matter the overall housing market. So far, I’ve talked about the following factors: Carrying costs, trends, location, sidewalks and septic, and durability. Now, let us consider broad appeal. Broad appeal is just what it sounds like. You want you home to appeal to the broadest selection of buyers. … Continue reading

Will Your Home Sell in a Recession? Location Matters

If you are contemplating selling your home during a recession, you may be wondering if this is the rights time. Although there is a lot of competition out there and fewer people are buying, the fact is that some homes are still selling quickly. Some of these homes are even selling for more than their list price? How is this possible when everyone is saying that this is the wrong time to try to sell a home? The homes that sell have certain things in common. Take a look at this list to see if your home will sell in … Continue reading

Home Improvements in a Recession

As the housing market continues to nose dive, food and gas prices continue to soar and people are finding themselves nervous about surviving a recession, it is tough to know what to do about home improvements. You want to make good decisions on home improvement whether or not you are actively thinking of selling your home. With limited resources and the possibility of having to sell a home quickly in a rock bottom market, making the right home improvements can really benefit you in the end. So how do you know the how, what and when of home improvement? Here … Continue reading

The Neighbors Are Moving: What Would You Do?

Our new neighborhood is a very quiet one. People are very friendly, although everyone tends to keep to themselves. Still, I have to admit that I was a little surprised when a bunch of moving trucks pulled up at my neighbor’s house, the one across the road from ours. I noticed the trucks as my eldest son and I waited for the school bus. The neighbor’s yard was a swarm of activity. There were three large moving trucks plus several SUVs, pick up trucks and cars; the people loading them all. I didn’t want to be a busy-body, but all … Continue reading

Vacation House or Vacation Condo? Five Questions that Will Help You Decide

Now is a great time to buy a vacation home, as prices for second homes are very attractive to buyers. Also, vacation home can be used as an investment and/or to generate income. But is it wisest to buy a house or a condo for your vacation home? Here are five questions to help you make the right decision. 1. What is your budget? Your budget may affect which option you choose for your vacation home. In general, houses cost more than do condos, and so many first-time vacation home buyers chose a condo. In a downturn real estate market, … Continue reading