December 2011

Of course selling your home in the dead of winter can be more of a challenge. But sometimes you don't have a choice. There are buyers out there. We just have to make sure they see the value in your home above the others offered.

November 2011

The closing! It's that final step towards becoming a home owner. But closings can be hectic with dozens of forms and legal terms flying around the table at a fairly high rate of speed. A few pointers might make things go a little smoother. Here are three things to keep in mind.

October 2011

We are a nation of do-it-yourselfers. Most of us take pride in showing our friends the home improvement projects we've completed. But when it comes to selling this precious commodity, is doing it yourself a smart move?

 September 2011

The most important factor in getting buyers to like a house is how well it 'shows'. Houses that show well, sell well. Houses that don't may not sell as quickly or at the price you want. Here are a few quick fixes that can help boost your home's sales appeal.

August 2011

Buying a home is serious business. It's a long term commitment and probably the most money you'll ever spend for anything in your lifetime. Avoiding two of the most common mistakes will lead to a more satisfactory outcome.

July 2011

When applying for a home mortgage, loan approval is contingent upon the appraisal. The lender wants to verify that the buyer is not paying substantially more for a home than its real value. The situation is similar when applying for a home equity line of credit. The lender wants the protection of an appraisal before deciding upon the amount that may be borrowed against the property.

June 2011

How fast can you move? That might sound like a strange question but as the ad goes, life can sometimes come at you fast. Consider this. What would you do if you had 30 days to get your home ready to market? Could you do it? Or would you still be cleaning out closets and wondering how to get those repairs done? You know the ones you've been putting off for months or years?

 

May 2011

As demographics change, these changes are reflected in requested floor plans.  New lifestyles are dictating living spaces that are compatible with today's families and individuals. When Country Home magazine built a show house at the World Financial Center based on an informal reader survey, it had no living room at all.

April 2011

Clean out your closets; pare down your wardrobe and you'll have less to move when the time comes! If you're selling your house, you're preparing to move as well. Before your house went on the market you probably cleaned and de-cluttered, sorted, threw out and gave away any number of possessions that were taking up space. This effort not only makes your house look more spacious and at its best, but it leaves less stuff for you to pack up and move to your new place.
   

March 2011

In today's market it is taking longer to see that 'sold' sign in front of a property. That can be extremely frustrating for a seller who really needs to move on. If you're stuck in this situation, what can you do to turn things around?


 

February 2011

The purchase of a sofa is a huge commitment. Whether you're buying your first or tenth, these 'sofa facts' will help you make the best choice.  Sofas are the most popular upholstered piece of furniture in the majority of homes. A dizzying array of styles, fabrics and patterns can make the selection sometimes difficult. What's most important, though, is the part of the sofa you don't see.

 

January 2011

When you're getting ready to list your home for sale, you might consider some improvements to attract buyers and increase your profit. Which improvements matter most and give the biggest return? Should you add on a family room? Put in a new kitchen? A new deck? What works and what doesn't?