How many times have you heard the story about people who move into their dream home only to find out that theres a huge plumbing issue or noisy neighbors next door? Learn from their mistakes, and reconsider certain factors before signing on the dotted line. Heres a...
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Fire Safety Tips for Your Home
Every year in the U.S., fire kills over 3,000 people, injures thousands more and causes billions of dollars of damage. House fires are a major contributor to those horrific statistics, which is why its important to make fire safety a priority in your home. Here are...
End of Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Ahhh, summertime. Cookouts, nature hikes, pool games, outdoor markets, parades and concerts. Home maintenance may have taken a backseat to all this fun. Don't sweat, there's still time to make sure your house stays in tip-top shape. Use this simple checklist to round...
The Case for Double-Paned Windows
Energy loss attributed to windows accounts for nearly 25 percent of the annual heating and cooling costs for the average American home, according to the Department of Energy. Do double-paned windows provide enough savings to justify their cost?Experts say that even a...
Pros and Cons of Choosing a House on a Cul-de-Sac
Many homebuyers choose to a purchase a house on a cul-de-sac just to avoid a busy street. However, there are pros and cons you should be aware of up front.TrafficSince there’s only one way in and out, a cul-de-sac has less traffic than a typical...
3 Daily Habits to a Cleaner Home
Between work, family and fun, cleaning your home can feel like a drag"but most of us can’t afford to hire a cleaning crew, and so the task of weekly tidying and disinfecting is unavoidable. To help, below are three daily habits to a cleaner home.Set a timer. Every...
The Difference Between Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved
Many lenders pre-qualify or pre-approve mortgage applicants, which can help considerably in the buying process. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some important differences to note.In general, pre-qualification is considered an initial step in...
4 Steps to Win a Bidding War
From a buyer’s standpoint, getting into a bidding war for a house they want is never fun. They can offer more money than they ever planned to spend and still end up without the home of their dreams. A real estate agent should be able to tell you ahead of time if...
Is a Second Mortgage a Good Idea?
If you need money for home improvements, college tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds with favorable terms through a second mortgage. Before you do so, it’s important to make sure you understand the terms and potential risks.How Does a Second...
5 Surprising Things That Don’t Affect Your Credit Score
There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be...
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The Ultimate Deal-Breaker Checklist for Homebuyers
How many times have you heard the story about people who move into their dream home only to find out that theres a huge plumbing issue or noisy neighbors next door? Learn from their mistakes, and reconsider certain factors before signing on the dotted line. Heres a...
Fire Safety Tips for Your Home
Every year in the U.S., fire kills over 3,000 people, injures thousands more and causes billions of dollars of damage. House fires are a major contributor to those horrific statistics, which is why its important to make fire safety a priority in your home. Here are...
End of Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Ahhh, summertime. Cookouts, nature hikes, pool games, outdoor markets, parades and concerts. Home maintenance may have taken a backseat to all this fun. Don't sweat, there's still time to make sure your house stays in tip-top shape. Use this simple checklist to round...
The Case for Double-Paned Windows
Energy loss attributed to windows accounts for nearly 25 percent of the annual heating and cooling costs for the average American home, according to the Department of Energy. Do double-paned windows provide enough savings to justify their cost?Experts say that even a...
Pros and Cons of Choosing a House on a Cul-de-Sac
Many homebuyers choose to a purchase a house on a cul-de-sac just to avoid a busy street. However, there are pros and cons you should be aware of up front.TrafficSince there’s only one way in and out, a cul-de-sac has less traffic than a typical...
3 Daily Habits to a Cleaner Home
Between work, family and fun, cleaning your home can feel like a drag"but most of us can’t afford to hire a cleaning crew, and so the task of weekly tidying and disinfecting is unavoidable. To help, below are three daily habits to a cleaner home.Set a timer. Every...
The Difference Between Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved
Many lenders pre-qualify or pre-approve mortgage applicants, which can help considerably in the buying process. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some important differences to note.In general, pre-qualification is considered an initial step in...
4 Steps to Win a Bidding War
From a buyer’s standpoint, getting into a bidding war for a house they want is never fun. They can offer more money than they ever planned to spend and still end up without the home of their dreams. A real estate agent should be able to tell you ahead of time if...
Is a Second Mortgage a Good Idea?
If you need money for home improvements, college tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds with favorable terms through a second mortgage. Before you do so, it’s important to make sure you understand the terms and potential risks.How Does a Second...
5 Surprising Things That Don’t Affect Your Credit Score
There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be...