Saving for the down payment on a home is one of the most challenging parts to home ownership, especially for first-time buyers. We discuss some of the down payment assistance programs available and why it is important that you be open with your agent about your needs so they can help recommend you to lenders and sources right for your situation as well as why many buyers aren’t aware that these programs are even available to them. We also discuss tips to help buyers get their offer accepted in our current competitive market conditions.

Condos can be a great option for first-time, downsizing or even second-home buyers but when buying a condo it is important you know what you are getting into. We share the differences between a condo versus an apartment and some pros and cons between a condo and a single family home. Condo home owner associations have significant power and can dictate things like whether you can have pets (or even the size or breed of an allowed pet) or how many cars can be parked in your driveway. We share some of the critical things you need to know about condo home owners associations like the cost of association fees and what they cover as well as some common restrictions that can include limited pets, number of vehicles allowed in drive and more.

The Super Bowl kicks-off the real estate season. As more buyers are starting to look for homes and enter the market, we share tips on what buyers need to do to be prepared and when concessions can be helpful to get you a home.

We discuss how agents can best serve clients in today’s fast-paced market. From education by local realtor associations to using virtual showings, successful agents have many ways they can serve their clients today. We discuss the ways agents market a home today as well as get an update on new construction and how materials prices and timelines are impacting the time and cost needed to build a home and what smart home or tech features are important to buyers today.

From ensuring your front entry way has the needed room to welcome potential buyers with their agent to the colors that work well in bathrooms and bedrooms we share tips that will help attract buyers to your home and help you get top dollar. We also cover ways to make rooms look bigger like taking leaves out of the dining room table and moving family room furniture away from the walls.

We cover what to expect in the local housing market 2022. From interest rates to housing inventory to home affordability, we discuss the various aspects that are currently impacting the market and will in the year ahead. We also talk about the mindset of buyers and sellers and what they should know if they are about to enter the market.

The holidays season means gatherings in your home with family and friends but these gatherings can also lead to an uptick in fires and slip and fall accidents in your home. To help you avoid holiday mishaps, we share tips to help you prevent fires in your kitchen from cooking and throughout the home from candles and fireplaces. We also share important things you need to know to avoid your Christmas tree catching fire like throwing it out by mid-January because 21% of tree fires occur in February-November and why you need to pick up wrapping paper once it has been discarded so you can avoid a guest slipping and falling. All this plus avoiding food poisoning and how to keep your home safe if you are traveling over the holidays.

If you are a buyer that has been looking for a home and are feeling a bit exhausted, we have 7 tips for you to help you reinvigorate your home search. We share how working with an experience team of local professionals, understanding the current selling cycle and getting there early can work to your benefit. We also cover how to reassess your needs and wants and why you may need to tune out the advice from well-meaning family and friends.

Buying a home is exciting but you want to be careful so your afford and enjoy your home as well as other things travel and saving for retirement. We share three critical things you need to know like how much it costs to buy your home and the new items like homeowners insurance and utilities that will be part of your budget.

Fall is an important time to take of your home to prepare it for the harsh winter season to come. From cleaning gutters to draining and turning off exterior faucets we review the things you should be reviewing on the exterior of your home. With all the storms we had this summer, it is important to check the roof and siding now to look for any lose or damaged shingles and siding. On the interior of the home, we talk about preparing the furnace for efficient use, what to look at when it comes to your windows and doors and what you need to review in the attic.