It doesn't matter if you heat your home with electricity, natural gas or some other energy source; prices continue to rise and that means increased heating costs for most of us. In today's blog post we'll share three easy ways that you can save money on your home energy costs this winter. Install and Use Programmable Thermostats Now that Nest and other companies have brought Wi-Fi enabled, programmable thermostats on the market there's very few excuses to avoid using them. At bare minimum you'll want a digital thermostat that can be programmed to turn on and off at certain hours of the day. … [Read More...]
When it comes to selling a home, it is a common belief that once the offer is accepted, there is nothing else to be negotiated. However, issues and obstacles that can arise during the home inspection can be a cause for discussion with the seller. Whether you're currently searching for houses or your offer has already been accepted and you're preparing for the next step, here are some tips in the event that the home inspection isn't up to par. Be Cautious About What You Say Without a doubt, anything that you discuss with the real estate agent regarding the property you're looking at is going to … [Read More...]
Many first-time homebuyers are having a difficult time finding the right purchase. Therefore, a new trend is catching on. Some people are renting in the city, where property values are more expensive. Then, they buy a vacation home in the suburbs. Is it smart to buy a second home as a first home? The Advantages Of Buying A Vacation Home First There are several advantages that come with buying a vacation home as a first home. First, buying a vacation home in the suburbs is usually less expensive than purchasing a house in the city. Furthermore, first-time homeowners can rent out their … [Read More...]
Last week’s scheduled economic reporting included readings on inflation and a preliminary report on consumer sentiment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Inflationary Growth Exceeds Expectations, Creates Consumer Challenges October’s inflation rate rose to its highest year-over-year pace in 31 years last week with a reading of 6.20 percent growth as compared to September's year-over-year growth rate of 5.40 percent. Inflation rose by 0.90 percent month-to-month in October as compared to September’s reading of 0.40 percent growth. … [Read More...]
The most popular time of year to sell a home is the summer. There are a lot of families with children who prefer to move during the summer because they do not want to move their children during the school year. In contrast, many people do not like to move during the winter. It can be difficult to request extra time off of work, particularly during the holiday season. At the same time, it is still possible to sell a home during the winter. What are a few tips homeowners need to follow to sell a home during the winter? Maximize Curb Appeal There is never a second chance to make a … [Read More...]
Starter homes are incredibly popular for young couples who plan to have a family in the future but don't need a large place yet. Life moves pretty fast sometimes and many couples find themselves expecting children before they have begun to look for the next home. This shouldn't be a problem, as moving into a larger home before the baby arrives can be a lot easier than it appears. Always Move Before The Baby Is Born There is a choice when upgrading a home for children: moving beforehand and settling down in advance of having kids or waiting until after having the child and dealing with a move … [Read More...]