Renovating Without A Permit? Here Are 7 Reasons Why It's A Big No-No
A home renovation is a great way to add value and satisfaction to your beloved abode. After all, who doesn't love stepping into a new room, a finished basement, or a renovated bathroom?However, before "undertaking any of the character-building, heavy-lifting labor" there’s the ...
5 Ways You Can Ace Moving To A New Home When You Have Kids
According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), home buyers and sellers with children face a unique set of difficulties and stressors during the moving process. If you are a parent anticipating a move, it's likely you have a ton of things on your mind. Maybe you need to sell your ...
Notice Of Intent to Foreclose: Know Your Options
As a homeowner, there's an f-word that is avoided as much as possible. Even though we don’t want to say it we have to talk about it. Why? Because like most problems, that’s how it’s handled. So say it with us, foreclosure.Most of the time, when people find out that their ...
Tips On Setting A Home Renovation Budget
When a homeowner starts to consider a home renovation, it's easy to grow overwhelmed, because it seems like such a monumental task. Perhaps this comes from the notion that all makeovers have to big, bold, and new. Think shows like “Extreme Makeover” and “House ...
The Annual Home Maintenance Checklist: A Guide For New Homeowners
Keeping up with home maintenance tasks can be daunting, especially for new homeowners. It may be hard to accept the fact that sometimes you have to cancel a weekend brunch so you can clean out the gutters and mow the lawn. While these responsibilities could be frustrating, it's what you have ...
The 7-Step Decluttering Guide to Organizing Your Home this New Year
We often talk about starting a home improvement project, like a bathroom or kitchen remodel, because we're dissatisfied with the house and are looking for ways to make it even better. But what if the first thing that’s hindering us from appreciating our biggest investment is the enormous ...
Understanding Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy in Case of a Wildfire
The recent catastrophic wildfires in California have been beyond devastating. These violent infernos destroyed thousands of properties and structures and displaced hundreds of thousands of people living in the affected areas. But if there's one takeaway from this widespread fire damage, ...
Here's What Life Is Like After Paying Off Your Mortgage
How great does a mortgage payoff sound? After making your final payment, there's nothing sweeter than seeing in your account that you are already “PAID IN FULL” after a substantial period of 15 or 30 years. Congratulations! Paying off your mortgage is a huge and remarkable ...
Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient With These Green Home Improvements
Whether you are a homeowner planning a major remodel or a seller preparing to put their home on the market, an important factor you have to consider is the products and materials you will use. This time, why not try to become more environmentally conscious when remodeling your home? You can ...
The Tax Benefits That Homeowners Can Enjoy
Is this your first year filing your taxes as a homeowner? If yes, then you're in for some sweet treats. There are certain deductions you are entitled to and can take advantage of to lower your tax bill. Some of these tax breaks can be a one-time deduction or recurring on the life of your ...
The 7 Worst Things To Do When Remodeling Your Bathroom
Remodeling a bathroom is nothing like a piece of cake or a walk in the park because it's an essential part of the house that involves complicated plumbing. You have to make sure that the new fixtures you choose will not only fit the design but also the bathroom’s layout. You also need to ...
Watch Out! These Neighborhood Features Can Drag Down Your Home's Value
While there are certain home improvements you can add to your home to boost its resale value, there are also many external factors that can devalue your greatest investment. This is why the real estate cliché saying “location, location, location” will never be debunked or ...
How To Properly Deal With The Threat Of Foreclosure
The prospect of losing your home to foreclosure can be heartbreaking, and dealing with it can be equally devastating for you and your family. After all, when the bank decides to foreclose on your home, your credit report may be permanently stained -- leaving your financial future scarily ...
What's In A Mortgage? Breaking Down the Components of A Mortgage Payment
In simplest terms, a mortgage is a long-term loan designed to help borrowers purchase a house. It allows individuals to become homeowners without making a large down payment and thus, fulfilling The American Dream. Once you become a homeowner, a mortgage represents one of your life's biggest ...