Imagine you're looking for a new home. You have a list of all the features you want, just like you would have a grocery shopping list. However, when you explore the homes currently on the market, none meets all your criteria. What do you do? You have a few good options. First, you can take a second look at your list. Does your new home need every single feature on it? Are there one or two features you can do without? For example, can you settle for a smaller kitchen assuming the... [read more]

As you've probably noticed, credit card companies regularly offer bonuses to get you to apply for their cards. For example, one such card company offers opportunities to buy tickets to concerts and other events ahead of everyone else. It's their "front of the line" service. When you’re searching for a new home, wouldn't it be great if you could get to the front of the line on desirable properties – before other buyers get the chance? Well, in a way, you... [read more]

Imagine you have a major project at work, you have to deal with homeschooling and you still need to deal with groceries, laundry and dinner. Whoa! That's a busy life. Can you still find and buy a new home with such a tight schedule? The good news is, you can. In fact, there's plenty you can do to save time. Consider these tips: • Get specific about the home you want to buy. Think about property type (for example, "two-story, detached"), number of bedrooms and... [read more]

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won't notice a difference of 2 degrees either way — and the savings can be substantial. However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement. • Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration can occur at windows and doors. So, check around your home for drafts.... [read more]

If you're thinking ahead to your next dream home, the road you need to take to get there may seem confusing. Do you search for listings online? Drop by Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs? Let's break it all down! Here are the specific steps you need to take to ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs and budget. 1. Find out how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s market. 2. Arrange for financing, so you know... [read more]