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Put lawn upkeep on autopilot
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... wires, not hoses or pipes, so it can be placed in a remote location for easier installation and access. Most are housed in weatherproof enclosures, so they can be mounted outdoors if desired. Most of today's ...Tuesday, 07 October 2008 -
Deck-staining that can't fail
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... if it's started to fade at all, your best bet is to choose a color that matches the type of wood on the deck -- for example, redwood or cedar. Left untreated, most non-pressure-treated woods will fade ...Tuesday, 07 October 2008 -
Two-day, $2,000 room makeover not reality
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... wiring. Whenever possible, wall insulation should be done while the wall cavities are open. If that's impossible, be sure to talk with a licensed and bonded insulation contractor with specific experience ...Tuesday, 07 October 2008 -
Three must-haves for a good paint job
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... off the dust and dirt with a pressure washer that is set on low pressure and wide spray. Do not use high pressure or a concentrated spray nozzle, which can drive water into the siding. For interior surfaces ...Thursday, 14 February 2008 -
Picking the right sander for the job
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... the proper amount of pressure for the surface you're sanding -- something that's very useful when putting the finishing touches on your project. It has soft-grip sides for great comfort, and a selection ...Sunday, 27 January 2008 -
How to keep water flowing during remodel
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... lines. For drain lines, if the temporary sink is near the drain location from the original sink, you can use plastic pipe and extend a temporary drain from the sink — just make sure it flows downhill from ...Sunday, 27 January 2008 -
The Critical Role of the REALTOR®
Category: Real Estate/National
... of Ethics in their professional dealings with the public. Not every real estate licensee holds a REALTOR® membership. Make sure yours does. Pre-Listing Activities 1. Make an appointment with ...Friday, 11 January 2008 -
11 Ways to Easily Boost Your Curb Appeal in a Weekend
Category: Real Estate/Seller
If you're selling your home soon, ensure that prospective buyers will want to come inside by sprucing up the exterior before they drive by. And surprisingly, it doesn't have to be a time-consuming ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
The Dangers of Not Using a Home Inspector
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... home inspectors and can recommend the services of a good inspector. If this doesn’t turn up any possibilities, check the Yellow Pages or the internet. Whatever the source you use, make sure to ascertain ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Make your condo purchase a smart one
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... out for inadequate allocations for replacement reserves which are sure to increase in future years as the building ages and needs repairs. If you are considering buying an older condo, study the ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Pros and Cons of Buying Fixer-Upper Home
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... have crumbled during renovation projects. Buyers who are convinced that buying and renovating a distressed property will be a personally and financially rewarding endeavor need to make sure that ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Key Factors to Consider Before Buying a Brand-New Home
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... the opportunity to choose specific design features. However, without the proper research, you may find your new home doesn't measure up to the specifications you desired. Research the Builder The ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
From the Roof to the Floor, It's Always Wise to Determine Lifespan
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... years to life50At least 30 if exposure to moisture is minimized and painted every 3 to 5 years.20 to 50 Decks The lifetime of your wood deck will depend on factors such as the type of wood used, ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
100 Best Towns to Raise a Family
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... in northern California, the authors recommend living in Winters and Folsom, Calif. I've been to both places. I'm sure the residents are happy there, but from the descriptions, they seem like boring ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Top Renovation Mistakes
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... a nightmare. Luckily, as long as you know what to avoid you can make sure your renovation work is both attractive and valuable. With that in mind, here are some of the most common mistakes that people ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Moving with Pets
Category: Real Estate/Moving
... run away. On moving day, keep your pets in a quiet location such as the bathroom. Empty this room before putting you pets in there, and make sure everyone knows that room is off-limits. Make sure ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Warm Up an Empty House for Faster Sale
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... sure the house is thoroughly clean before adding your staging equipment. Don't forget the garage and any large storage spaces such as basements or attics. Rent some furniture. It doesn't need to ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Is it Time to Sell?
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... office or a second bathroom. You need more space, but you're not sure what the best way of getting it will be - when is it better to remodel, and when is it more profitable to sell up and move? When ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Investing in Foreclosures
Category: Real Estate/Investing
A foreclosure occurs when a borrower defaults on a mortgage loan. As the process begins, the lender often gives the borrower ample time to repay the back due portion of the loan. However, when the ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
The Truth About Private Mortgage Insurance
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... undergo appraisal, to ensure that you have 20% equity according to its current value. Avoid Private Mortgage Insurance with a Piggy-back Loan Also called an "80-10-10" loan, this involves two ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
The Most Common Home Defects and Solutions
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... old system or replacing, the benefits will outweigh the cost. Termite Damage and Dry Rot If termite damage or dry rot is discover, you'll want to make sure they're taken care of immediately. If ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Open Houses '101'
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... signage and collecting information about the people who arrive to inspect your home. However, there are several things you can do to make sure the day runs smoothly and your property is presented ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Moving Made Easier and More Affordable
Category: Real Estate/Moving
Moving to a new home can be a stressful time. You can often feel rushed and under pressure - and it can be an expensive business, too. When you're moving an entire houseful of possessions, it definitely ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
How to Negotiate for Top Dollar
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... with Inspections and ClosingsAnother way to ensure you get top dollar for your home is to be generous with the inspection times and closing date. For example, a buyer might make an offer on your ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Cut Your Closing Costs
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... Paying more points can secure a lower interest rate. Title search and insurance - a title search examines a property's historical records to ensure that the seller is the legal owner of the property. ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
All About Escrow Accounts
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... prepare statutory disclosures (such as smoke detectors, environmental hazards, and zone disclosures), provide the escrow agent with information about existing loans, make sure the property is available ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Mortgage Glossary
Category: FAQs/General
... a possible price that they could be approved for and pay for a house, and the mortgage required to pay that amount. Agency Disclosure - Most states require that an agent discloses which side they ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Everything You Need to Know About Mortgage Interest Rates
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... Quotes Lender quotes aren't necessarily reliable - lenders are under pressure to quote the best rates possible, and it's likely that at least one of those that you call will fudge the rate a little ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Tighter Lending Rules Could Backfire
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
Case histories of subprime loans that have gone to foreclosure often generate righteous indignation. With benefit of hindsight, many if not most of them look as if they never should have been made. ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Four Reasons for Getting a Home Equity Loan
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... for one, make sure you that you have a definite goal for the money – one that is part of a financial strategy that will increase your overall wealth. The Good Reasons Home ImprovementsTaking out ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
How to Find the Best Loan for You
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... each type of loan and mortgage. FHAThe most common misconception about FHA loans is that the Federal Housing Administration lends the money. The fact is the FHA simply insures the loan in case ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
How to Finance a Remodel
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... it substantially later on. FHA 203(k) Mortgage These are FHA-insured loans which let you refinance your first mortgage and combine it with your remodeling costs into a new mortgage. This type of ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Smart Ways to Stay Cool
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... mastic, metal-backed tape, or aerosol sealant. Seasonal tune-up. At the end of the season, clean the evaporator and condenser coils, check refrigerant pressure, and adjust the blower for proper airflow. ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
The Best Way to Sell Your Home Quickly
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... sure that your home stays on the market for months. Work with your agent, get an appraisal and find out exactly what your property is worth, and then price your home a little under market value. This is ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
How to Sell Your Starter Home
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... of touches appeal to potential buyers who don't want to spend their weekends working on maintenance projects. Play Up the Curb Appeal Make sure your house has strong curb appeal. First-time buyers ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
How to Avoid Paying the Capital Gains Tax
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... is one of the largest investments you will ever make. Knowing how the capital gains tax laws operate can reward you with greater profits when it comes time to sell. Be sure to talk to your tax advisor ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Getting Your Home Ready for a Showing
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... any time. If you're serious about selling, you and your house must be prepared whenever buyers have time to come by. Make sure you do these 5 things everyday before you leave the house: Rinse dirty ...Wednesday, 26 December 2007 -
Vacation cottages can be challenging to buy, own
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... their own buyer's agent, they are unrepresented. He also notes the potential problems with buying direct from a seller who might not be aware of all the defect disclosure requirements. Heavy emphasis ...Sunday, 23 December 2007 -
Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid
Category: Real Estate/Mortgages
... sure you're in complete understanding on all of the terms of the loan. Do the required research, and you'll find the ideal loan for you. ...Sunday, 23 December 2007 -
5 Things to Ask Before Making an Offer on a Condo
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... the sense of security. Are there a lot of families with young children? Be sure to get an idea of the demographics to see how well you'll fit in. Quality of SchoolsThe quality of the school district ...Saturday, 22 December 2007 -
Best Way to Buy Home That Needs Repairs
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... of the buyers' closing costs and thereby frees up cash for repairs. Before you ask for either a price reduction or a credit -- particularly if the amount is large -- be sure to talk with your mortgage ...Saturday, 22 December 2007 -
How to Find a Good Investment Property
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... your properties carefully to make sure you don't end up getting burned. Choose the Right Neighborhood Just like with any other real estate purchase, location is all-important. Whether you're buying ...Saturday, 22 December 2007 -
Increase Your Home’s Value through Energy Efficient Upgrades
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... Cooling Many of the measures you take to prevent heat loss in your home will also help keep it cooler during warm weather. In addition, consider installing ceiling fans in your home. These are a ...Saturday, 22 December 2007 -
How to Avoid 8 Costly Moving Mistakes
Category: Real Estate/Buyer
... day of closingWhile most buyers take possession of their new home on the day of closing, there are a lot of conflicts that can arise unexpectedly. Be sure to keep in constant communication with your escrow ...Friday, 21 December 2007 -
Putting your ducts in a row
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... vacuum pressure to suck dust and debris from the system. At the time of the cleaning, they can also inspect the condition of the furnace itself and replace the filter. Professional duct cleaning ...Friday, 21 December 2007 -
Boost your curb appeal over the weekend
Category: Real Estate/Seller
If you’re selling your home soon, ensure that prospective buyers will want to come inside by sprucing up the exterior before they drive by. Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to ...Friday, 21 December 2007 -
Microhood a must for any Kitchen Upgrade
Category: Real Estate/Home Improvement
... load it with food. Make sure that you install all of the necessary bolts and other fasteners supplied with the kit, and that they are seated into solid wood as required. Most microhoods have a ...Friday, 21 December 2007 -
Luxury Home Trends
Category: Real Estate/Investing
Photo Courtesy of LambertGray, Inc. One of the best ways to update your home and ensure a good resale value is to adopt trends from the luxury home market. These cutting edge ...Friday, 21 December 2007 -
Setting the Stage for a Successful Sale
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... kitchen and bathroom appliances from sight Don't forget the garage! Make sure surfaces are clean and neat. Store tools and gardening products to make room for cars. Whether you do the staging yourself ...Friday, 21 December 2007 -
Best ways to attract fixer-upper buyers
Category: Real Estate/Seller
... buyer, make sure you get broad marketing exposure. It's also a good idea to have pre-sale inspections done. Make the reports available to buyers to review before they make offers. This will help to minimize ...Thursday, 20 December 2007