My experience for this article comes from being a frequent home buyer and not a Realtor. As the owner of a handyman business, I participate in a wonderful online real estate community called Active Rain where I get insight into the real estate market which is incredibly valuable during these …
Be Careful When Cancelling Your Utilities
Utility companies serve thousands of customers and you represent just one customer! They have processes to manage their business as cost effectively as possible but that doesn't always include great customer service, and unfortunately it often means that you are paying for something you never …
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Recycling: Yard Sale Tips to Save $$
When our children are small, they grow through several clothing sizes each year so it's challenging to stay one size ahead with the right clothes and toys. I remember fondly driving around my neighborhood on Saturday mornings searching for treasures to keep my 2 boys busy with new, gently used …
Why You ALWAYS Need a Home Inspection
Few homeowners are experts in all aspects of home construction, maintenance and repairs. That is why you want to hire a home inspector to review a house before you complete the purchase. They are skilled at finding problems so that you know just what you're getting. Even with a new home, you want to …
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Appraisal Guidelines Change May 1, 2009
The appraisal is key to determining how large a mortgage a home owner can get to finance their home. While you may get your mortgage through a bank, these mortgages are packaged up and ultimately purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) has established a new …
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Wood Floors & Ongoing Maintenance
Wood floors are very popular with homeowners but they need to be cleaned and treated carefully, i.e. using rubber glides under furniture legs. Wood floors that aren't well maintained can become an eyesore and unfortunately we take our floors for granted as we don't really look at them, so it's easy …