By Gemma Alexander Home may be where the heart is, but good luck convincing the authorities of that if your home is illegal. Your heart – or finances – may lead you to hang your hat in any number of atypical dwellings, but the truth is, it takes more than love to make a house a
We professional organizers have many secret tools and tips. They’re what make us very successful. When our clients pay close attention and ask us questions, they obtain the magical key to unlock their clutter dilemma. Many people who opt not to work with a professional set out with the best of intentions. They dive into a project after seeing
Despite the affordability crisis raging across the nation, about 25% of Metropolitan Statistical Areas had very healthy markets in the second quarter, while 50% had sustainable housing activity, according to a report by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. MSAs with very healthy housing markets show rankings of two or more, whereas MSAs with rankings one or
U.S. home values increased 5% nationally to $188,100, but in some metros home-price appreciations was much higher, according to the August Zillow Real Estate Market Reports. On the other hand, household income posted its first significant increase, 5.2%, in eight years, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed. Inventory is also causing restraints in the
You’re tired of your old, dated bathroom, but not yet ready to do a full-on remodel – it’s a common scenario. Here is an easy fix that can cost you as little as $200 and about an afternoon’s worth of time: a new vanity/sink combo. An updated sink and vanity will stand out and draw the eye
Hey homebuyers, looking for the right time to put in an offer on your dream property? Well, you may be surprised to find the season that is the best time to buy a home. Why would one season in particular be considered a “hidden” opportunity to buy? Because, during this “hidden” time listing prices — those are the
Your home’s decor should be a reflection of its natural surroundings, so it’s no wonder that some of the most beloved design comes from seaside homes. Taking cues from the natural beauty of the iconic Cape Cod seascape, designer Irina MacPhee of Pastiche of Cape Cod recently designed the interior for a cottage at the
Living alone certainly has its perks, but sometimes it’s just difficult to afford it. Having a roommate often gets a bad reputation, but it can also make a nicer, more spacious place affordable if there are two (or more) people on the lease. If you’ve signed on to live with a roommate, here are 10 tips
Recently, negative headlines have appeared about how banks “cross-sell” you additional products and services. But cross-selling isn’t always bad for consumers – and, in fact, when it comes to mortgage cross-selling, there are some compelling benefits. Here’s a look at what cross-selling is, and how to know when it can help or hurt your finances. What is cross-selling?
During the home-buying process you’ll see tons of homes, mostly listed by real estate agents. But from time to time you might encounter a home listed for sale by owner (FSBO). You may even have a friend or relative who wants to sell you their home directly. While it may seem that buying a FSBO home without