What Are the Top Kitchen Trends for 2018?

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  So, every year, the website Houzz creates a trends report regarding design, kitchens, color, housing and remodeling trends. You may be thinking of remodeling your kitchen. Maybe just making minor upgrades. Or just changing the color and accessories. I just recently read a report that I would like to share with you on the Top Kitchen Trends for 2018 that will remain trendy...
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Questions to Ask Before Buying a Second Home

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Buying a second home can be an awesome experience for years to come, but financially, I’d like to share some of the things that you might want to think about first. How much will it cost? It’s not just the sales price – there are other costs associated with it. Maintenance. Property taxes. Insurance (which is usually more expensive than for a first home). The experts claim that the expenses are...
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Increase Wealth by Living Below Your Means

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Having a healthy bank account. Emergency money. Money for retirement. It does not happen overnight. So, I’d like to share with you a couple of tips that I recently read about. Try to live below your means: Instead of buying a new car, look for a low-mileage used one that would typically be 2/3 of the price of a new one. If you no longer need that giant house, sell it and buy one that is more ...
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Is Your Insurance Company Great?

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I recently read an article regarding the difference between a good insurance company and a great one. While getting the right amount of coverage is really critical, it’s also important that you know that you are doing business with the right carrier. Check to make sure the company is licensed in the state. While insurance companies have different entity names, do business with companies that are...
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Need Help Selling Your Home To A Family Member?

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Are you thinking of selling your home to a family member? While that's not a bad idea, there are a few pitfalls that a seller can fall into when selling to family. Jeanne Sanger penned a quick article (reposted below) about what to do and what not to do when family is involved. If you're wondering how to sell a house to a family member, first, congratulations are in order. You've found a buyer!...
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Holiday Scams To Watch Out For This Season

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With the holiday season upon us, it can be easy to lose yourself in the spirit of the season. However, as NBC News points out in their article (reposted below), scams are in full force this time of the year. Below are 6 common holiday scams to be on the lookout for. We may have just gone on a shopping spree during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but many of us are still gearing up to shop for ...
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Easy Ways to Keep Your Home “Ready to Show” when Listing Your Home for Sale.

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So, you’ve listed your home for sale — or maybe you’re thinking about it. I’m sure one of the questions that you may be asking yourself is… “How do I keep my home clean and ready to show to buyers—while we are still living here?” Here are a couple of tips from the pros…   Ask all family members to participate. Create a checklist of what needs to be put away in their rooms ev...
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Do You Know: The Tidewater Process

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The VA has recently re-instated a circular on the The VA has recently reinstated a circular on their Tidewater Process. Here's a quick run down of the key points It makes sense that VA would revisit this procedure with so many markets seeing rapid appreciation. Rapid appreciation is always a challenge for appraisers as the sales data runs slightly behind the information needed in a frenzied...
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Preventing Break-Ins

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How to Keep Your Home Safe from Thieves It’s been reported that in the US, break-ins happen every 14.6 seconds.  The average loss is just a little over $2,000.  So, if you have a $1,000 deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy, only half of your loss would be covered. Here are some strategies for keeping your home safe from would-be thieves: Tear up cardboard boxes  There’s no bette...
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How To Make Your Home Appraise Higher

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What Can You Do To Make Your Home Appraise Higher?If you are considering refinancing your current mortgage, the mortgage company usually (but not always) requires an appraisal. Here are some tips on how you can help your house appraise higher and show the true value of your home. Clean up the yard Appraisers are required to take pictures of the home. If you have stuff laying around the yar...
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