There’s nothing worse than living next door to an incessant barker or yappy dog – even howling cats can be a nuisance. It’s important to make sure your pet isn’t the one your neighbors complain about. While a growing number of rental properties specialize in pet-friendly apartments and homes, it’s understandable why both property owners and their
Ever wonder where you should buy a vacation home? That dream location may be closer than you think. To help second-home shoppers find the best city for a seasonal home, we’ve analyzed the places near popular vacation areas to create a Second Home Index. Homes in cities with a high score are expected to see strong home value
Getting your home appraised can often be a nerve-wracking experience. Your home and your handy work will be on display to be judged and valued so that you can move forward with selling your home. But it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With the right tools, tricks and savvy, the appraisal process can
Rarely does a buyer or seller show up to the closing without knowing exactly what their costs of sale will be. In fact, based on the mortgage loan amount of the purchase/sale price, it’s not hard to ballpark either side’s closing costs. Before you get too far along in the process, ask your real estate agent or
With the return of summer Fridays and a stockpile of unused vacation days, you might be ready to jet off to anywhere but home. But before you pack your bags, consider the long-term benefits of a staycation. Twelve, 24, or 48 hours of extra free time in a long weekend provides all you need to
You don’t need to stay in a hotel and play tourist to have a proper staycation. Look no further than your own home for a staycay dreams are made of. Make no mistake, an at-home staycation doesn’t just mean a lazy weekend on the couch. Turn your humble abode into a resort made for relaxation with
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