In 15 years of real estate, I can honestly say that I’ve seen it all. Toilet seats up in listing photos, shag carpet covered with dog hair, bedrooms doubling as marijuana growing centers, and avocado green appliances from the ’70s. Sellers aren’t required to get their homes in their best condition before showing them – let alone
You’re excited about closing on your new home and can’t wait to dig into the blank canvas of a newly sodded lawn. Well, here’s the bad news: That emerald green grass is also hiding terrible soil, unmarked wires and pipes, weed seeds, and years of hard work. The good news is that it’s easy to
Modern, raw, and super stylish, the industrial look is totally in. Whether your home is traditional and tailored or sleek and minimalist, you can integrate elements of industrial style into any design to create a look that is all you. Here are some of the ways you can work this stripped-down style into your space. Functional furnishings
Financial market turmoil can be good for mortgage rates. Don’t forget this concept as you continue to read headlines about how a “Brexit” is wreaking havoc on markets. Brexit is slang for Britain’s vote Thursday, June 23 to exit the European Union (EU), which is a political and economic union allowing free trade and movement of
The agent/seller relationship is like none other. No other professional spends the majority of their client time in the client’s actual home. We get very close to our sellers, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Because we see them in this somewhat vulnerable setting, and for an extended period, sometimes special bonds form. The
Home shoppers eager to qualify for a mortgage could get turned down because of a number they’ve never heard of: their debt-to-income ratio (DTI). If you’re a bit hazy on DTI, you’re in good company. According to Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group, more than half of consumers surveyed weren’t sure what it
The Baby Boomer generation is proving once again that they’re anything but predictable. In fact, Boomers are one of the fastest growing groups of renters in the country, and their numbers are expected to grow upwards of 12 million by 2030. While many Boomers are moving into rentals to downsize, others want the flexibility to move to stay
It can be a cookout space, lounge area complete with a brightly colored umbrella, or a display of potted plants. For whatever purpose you use your wood deck, it requires regular maintenance and upkeep to be able to provide you with years of pleasure. The key to preventing long-lasting damage to your deck is spotting
Living in a rental can put a significant damper on your design options. With unchangeable fixtures and cabinets, blasé paint colors, and the threat of losing your security deposit if you make changes, a lot of renters suppress their personal style and force themselves to live with builder-grade basic. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By
So you’ve set your sights on a home that, to put it mildly, needs a little repair work. The stairs are creaky, and you’ve noticed a leak (or three). Still, your mind is made up. What’s a love-struck home buyer to do? If your heart is set on a fixer-upper, this advice from real estate