Back-to-School Fire Safety Rules for Your Home

As millions of children return to school, now is a perfect time for a refresher course on home fire safety.  You never know when life may hand you a pop quiz!

Create an escape plan.  Start by drawing a floor plan or map of your home.  Be sure to include all doors and windows.  Let your [...]

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Planet-friendly Tips for Today’s Homeowners

Knowing the facts about reducing, reusing and recycling is the first step you can take toward finding simple ways to help make a difference in our world.

Start with your shopping list. Buying concentrates with 99% product and only 1% packaging is a great way to reduce what goes into our landfills.  Use refills for items [...]

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Short Sales Specialist

Is your mortgage keeping you from selling your house? Our changing real estate market has left many home owners in a very precarious position.  With interest rates rising and property taxes skyrocketing, many feel trapped in homes with a mortgage that no longer is a viable option.
You are not alone. If you or someone you [...]

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Selling your home in a Changing Market

In today’s rapidly changing economy, many homeowners wonder or worry about selling their home for the best price, and terms in the shortest period of time.
Here are 9 helpful hints if you are considering selling your home:
Be realistic, and price your home right by using market comparisons.

Know your true bottom line for both price and [...]

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Understanding Capital Gains

Understanding Capital Gains: Capital Gains are calculated as the difference between what you paid for something (Stock or Real Estate for example) and what you sold it for.
How to Calculate Gain
(+) PURCHASE PRICE- Price paid for property
(+) COST OF PURCHASE- Transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections
(+) COST OF SALE- Repairs, commissions, attorney fees, inspections
(+) COST OF [...]

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Know Your Loans

REAL ESTATE 101
Some loan rates can look great in an advertisement but don’t offer the whole story as to what you might ACTUALLY pay for the loan.
Points, PMI (private mortgage insurance), penalties, down payments and closing costs are also factors you need to consider.
When buying or selling a home, or refinancing a loan, understanding the [...]

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Splash On Some Color

PAINTING TIPS- Sometimes lighting and shadows can make choosing a paint color a little tricky.  Try these tips for getting it just right!

Look to your favorite home-decorating magazines and tear out color schemes and ideas that appeal to you and take with you when shopping for paint.
Know that color is usually more intense on walls [...]

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Cooling Your Home When the Heat is On

Global warming, fuel prices and the ever-rising cost of electricity can mean money saved or quickly lost, depending on the efficiency of your home’s cooling system.  Taking a few simple steps now will increase your chances of staying cool…and keeping your cool when the utility bill arrives this summer!

Have your system checked by a professional.  [...]

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Creating Curb Appeal

SIX TIPS FOR “MAKING AN ENTRANCE” – Has the “spring cleaning” bug bitten you yet?  Why not take that urge one step further–right out the door! Now is the perfect time to clean up, warm up and maximize your home’s curb appeal!
We all know the curb appeal “standards” such as keeping the lawn watered and [...]

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When & What to Remodel:

When remodeling your home, any major repairs must yield increasing returns.  For example, if you spend $1000 to enhance part of your home, it must yield more than $1000 when you are ready to sell your home. These areas show increasing returns:
* Bathroom remodeling
* Master suite addition
* Bathroom addition
*Family room addition
* Roof replacement
* Window replacement
HIRING [...]

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