December 2005

Your best marketing tool when selling your home is a good real estate agent. There are reasons why some agents seem to do so well. They work hard, pay attention to detail and are available at all times. They also use all the tools at their disposal, including extensive training, knowledge of the industry and neighborhoods and marketing expertise.
 

November 2005

Before moving into your new home, you may want to have the carpets cleaned. Certainly this task is easier before your furniture and belongings are in place. Carpeting is a sizable investment so choosing the right carpet cleaner is important in your efforts to protect it. Call several companies, ask each the same questions, compare prices and check with your friends and neighbors for references.
 

October 2005

Potential homeowners are sometimes confused and a little frightened by the words Down Payment. But if home ownership is your goal, a smart plan can make it happen sooner than you think. The first question you'll probably ask is 'how much?' The amount of down payment is the first issue you'll need to consider as you prepare to buy a home. How much should you put down?
 

September 2005

A home inspection, even on a brand new home, will confirm that the structure and systems are in good condition or will advise you of problems that need attention. Regardless of the disclosures made by the seller, an independent, competent third party can verify the property's condition and perhaps uncover problems of which the sellers are unaware.
 

August 2005

Once you've found the home of your dreams and decided to place your current residence on the market, it's hard to look back. You want to spend all your emotional and financial assets on your new home. So, what can you do to get your current home sold without spending all your friendly cash?

 

July 2005

If you're self employed, you're very familiar with the concept of a home office. Even if you're not, a home office is a necessity, whether it's to work on extended projects or just a place to handle the business of running your home.

 

June 2005

Knowing what to offer is a big dilemma for home buyers. You want to get the best deal possible, but you don't want to lose a good thing by coming in too low. How do you handle this most important part of your real estate transaction?

 

May 2005

As certain as death and taxes, a homeowner is going to run into a clogged pipe at one point or another. Somewhere in the drain-waste-vent system, the clog will usually happen in the kitchen or a bathroom. Prevention is the best medicine, of course. In the kitchen, grease is the pipe's worst enemy. It coats the insides of the pipes and acts like glue for all the food particles that travel that way.
 

April 2005

Taking the necessary steps to prepare a room for new paint will extend the life and the beauty of the paint. The real secret to great looking paint jobs is surface preparation. None of the tasks involved in getting ready to paint is overwhelming. But each one can make the difference between a long-lasting paint job and one you'll have to redo long before you are ready.
 

March 2005

It is one of the things we don't want to think about. But what would you do if your home were to be destroyed by fire or some natural disaster? Even a small fire or flood can do enormous damage. How do you replace and rebuild? Do you have the necessary insurance coverage?

 

February 2005

Are you buying a house, or a home? Silly question, you say! Not really. We use the words interchangeably, but there is a huge difference between a house and a home. A house is where you eat, sleep, park your car, and put all your 'stuff', including other family members and pets. A home is where you feel comfortable, warm, safe, and protected. A home is where you live.
 

January 2005

When you install carpet in your home, the dazzling array of texture and colors is overwhelming. Eventually you narrow the choices and finally settle on just the right one. Your work isn't done, though, because you have to choose a pad to go under the carpet. There are a number of choices, and a range of prices. Do you choose fiber over foam? Is thicker always better?