Solidifying what you’re looking for in a home is one of the first and most important steps in the home-buying process. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult differentiating between wants and needs. If you’re having trouble determining your must-haves in a home, here are some tips to help you get started. 1. Assess budget first […]

With the fall semester underway, your home may already be stressful and hectic. Here are some home organization tips to keep you and your family sane as you transition from summer back to school. 1. Food organization tips Take the stress out of busy school mornings by categorizing snack and lunch items. Using small bins […]

When you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, you want a good real estate agent on your team. If you’re looking for someone that meets (if not exceeds) your expectations, we recommend you hire a real estate agent that fits the following criteria. 1. Trustworthy Look for a real estate agent that […]

Packing with a toddler can be an exercise in futility. You pack a bit, they want a snack. So you fix them a snack and go back to packing, only to discover your toddler has already unpacked what you packed… sound familiar? Here are some activities (besides watching TV) that you can use to keep […]

‘Tis the season to be packing? It doesn’t have to be a blue Christmas just because you’re moving! Here are some creative ways to get in the holiday spirit, despite the flurry of packing boxes, tape, and tissue paper. 1. Have a packing party Don’t have time to host friends for your traditional, fancy holiday […]

These days, you can find pages of homes that meet all of your must-haves with a couple of clicks. So if buying/selling a home is that easy, is getting a real estate agent really worth it? We think it is, for two reasons: 1. Realtors do what computers can’t Getting a real estate agent to […]

Whether you’re getting your home ready to show or you just want to freshen things up a bit, deep-cleaning is an effective, therapeutic way to do so. Here are 5 deep-cleaning tricks you should try this fall! 1. Dust your blinds with kitchen tongs Dampen a couple of heavy-duty microfiber cloths, then secure them onto […]

Halloween can be a fun holiday for the entire family, particularly for our kids, if it’s celebrated in a safe, smart way. Here are some tips for how to keep your home and kids safe during Halloween. 1. Be smart with your decorations Scary is okay, but dangerous-scary is not. Remember, Halloween is supposed to […]

Despite careful preparations, unexpected moving expenses can still pop up! Between packing tape, markers, and last-minute Chinese takeout, there are numerous last-minute essentials you will have to purchase for your move. You shouldn’t need to buy moving boxes, though, as there are plenty of places you can find FREE ones! Here are 4 tried and […]

Location, school district, number of bedrooms—with so many variables to keep up with, it’s no wonder home buyers sometimes feel overwhelmed by their search for a new home! But forgetting something important could be a costly mistake. If you’re searching for a new home, here are 3 red flags you should be on the lookout […]

Buying a new house can be an incredibly exciting time in your life. With all this excitement, don’t be sidelined by checking some crucial aspects of the home before you make an offer! 1. The Roof You’re Putting Over Your Head The age of the property’s roof is important as these are very expensive to […]

Everyone wants to be a good hostess, but have you ever felt at a loss how to create the haven you imagine your home to be? Here are 5 budget-friendly ways to make your home more welcoming. 1. Make it smell amazing. We tend to associate good smells with positive memories, so making your home […]

All aspects of preparing for a move can be stressful, but perhaps one of the most time-consuming hurdles is the purging/packing process. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and are unsure how to start preparing your home to sell, you might consider the KonMari Method. What is the KonMari Method? Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing expert, has […]

Birmingham, Alabama is a great place to live and if you are moving within this popular city, we have rounded up the best suburbs for you! Living in a suburb of Birmingham is a great idea because you have all the benefits of big-city living, as well as the calmness, safety, and tranquility of a […]

As a seller, there’s nothing more exciting than getting an interested buyer, ready to sign the paperwork and pay a purchase price you’re happy with. With a home inspection being the only thing that lies between you and that closing handshake, make sure you are well-prepared for your home inspection by doing the following. 1. […]

Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. – Pablo Picasso Are you considering re-painting the rooms in your home to try to help it sell? Here are some tips to help you decide what colors you should choose. 1. Be careful with popular/trendy colors. It may be tempting to spring for whatever is […]

Fireplaces are a popular feature many homebuyers include on their house-hunting wish list. But is gas or wood better? Here are some factors to consider as you compare gas and wood-burning fireplaces. Efficiency When it comes to energy-efficiency, gas is the way to go, because gas fireplaces produce fewer and cleaner emissions than wood-burning fireplaces […]

It’s time to make the necessary preparations for cold weather! As you prepare things like your vehicle and wardrobe for the change of seasons, you should also start thinking about how you should prep your home for the winter weather as well. Keep heat in, keep cold out When it’s cold, you want to retain […]

According to the National Association of Realtors Research Department, fifty-four percent of REALTORS® have suggested sellers complete a kitchen upgrade before attempting to sell, and 23 percent said the project most recently helped cinch a deal for them, resulting in a closed sale. Statistics like this tend to get homeowners excited. If you’ve ever daydreamed about updating your kitchen […]

Rehab homes have become quite the trend in recent years, thanks to shows like HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.” With the right tools and experience, a “fix and flip” can make you a profit. But miscalculations and false expectations can lead to poor investments. So if you’re thinking of attempting a rehab, it’s essential that you know […]

Getting your home ready to put on the market? Creating a plan and avoiding common seller mistakes could be what sets you apart from the competition. Here are 4 common mistakes sellers make. Overpricing The most common mistakes sellers make is pricing their home higher than the current market value. If homes like yours in […]

If there’s one goal every homebuyer has in common it’s this: get the best deal possible! In order to do that, though, you have to do a combination of a couple of things. 1. Look past cosmetic issues You can change the paint color, light fixtures, even landscaping. You can’t change location, number of bedrooms, […]

When you first get the keys to your new home, everything is both exciting and overwhelming. It can be challenging trying to figure out what’s next once the negotiating and waiting is over. Here are 5 important things you should do as you settle into your new home. 1. Change your address As soon as […]

Why the biggest renovations may not make the biggest difference. Have you ever considered doing a DIY project, just to make your home more appealing to buyers? Someone who is house hunting may choose your home over someone else’s if they see it is updated or renovated. They will at least be relieved at the […]

Buying your first home is one of the greatest adventures in life! There are, however, a few tips you need to be aware about in order to make the process as smooth as possible: let’s take a look! Before you buy a home, consider what you need in a home. Ask yourself some questions, such […]

Life can get hectic when you’re in the process of re-defining “home.” Here’s to stress-free transitions! Big lifestyle changes, such as selling your home, are stressful. Learn how to navigate the ups and downs of selling your home and moving at the same time with these simple tips. Line up new living arrangements before you […]

If you are in the market to buy a new home and were wondering which time of year is best to do so, read further as we have some interesting facts about property purchasing for you! Fall-Winter Time Traditionally, the period between October and December (fall into winter) has always been the best time to […]

Are you underestimating the importance of “location, location, location?” Figuring out where you should live is a critical point in your search for the perfect home. But have you ever wondered how much your commute time should affect your search? Let’s talk about how to factor commute time into your home-buying decision. Map out your […]

Have you decided that now is the perfect time to buy a home? If so, there are 5 things you need to do before you can even think of beginning your search! Here they are! Find a good realtor A good realtor is essential when buying a new home. Look up the main real estate […]

How to decide what kind of staging is right for you Thinking of hiring a professional to stage your home? Considering doing it yourself? Which route is best depends heavily on the unique needs and giftings of the individual. Here are some things to think about when it comes time to stage your home. What […]

Are you in the process of buying a new home? If so, you may have wondered just how important a survey is. Well, generally speaking, a survey is rather important and will often be required by your lender. A survey can reveal several aspects of your new home that you may not have even thought […]

Make worthwhile investments in your home. According to the financial dictionary, investment is defined as the act of placing capital into a project or business with intent making a profit on the initial placing of capital. But many homeowners misunderstand this definition. They mistakenly think that if they put a lot of money into their […]

Whenever homeowners decide to sell their home, they have many things to consider when it comes to how quickly they can sell their home. Of course, they will want to make sure their appliances that they plan to leave behind are in perfect working order. The last thing that homeowners would want is the chance […]

It is no surprise that moving homes is one of life’s most stressful events! So, how can you minimize the stress in this major life event? Let’s have a look at some ways in which to make the process easier. Don’t be afraid to ask for help When moving, it is always much easier if you […]

One of the most common questions asked to realtors is who pays what costs when it comes to buying and selling. Closing costs When closing on a home, the cost for closing can easily add up to around 10% of the buying price, and the buyer will pay the majority of this fee. If you […]

Many homeowners as well as those who rent condos and apartments become anxious, frustrated, and stressed when their places are filled with junk that they don’t need as well as plenty of clutter in general. In fact, they frequently chastise themselves for not being organized enough and for being sloppy. And, the fact of the […]

The last thing any homebuyer wants to face is that they purchase a home that ends up becoming a ‘Money Pit’ situation, even if the home had passed the inspection. That is the reason that a home warranty exists because a home warranty will cover any complications that could happen in a home which is […]

88 percent of millennials who don’t own a home have one on their wish list (Qualtrics) If you’re in that 88 percent, chances are you expect a lot from that first home and you’re cautious putting your hard-earned dollars into that big of an investment. As you weigh the pros and cons, here are 5 things you […]

Regardless of whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, choosing the best agent is always a challenge. Here are a few things you can look for as you make your decision. Experience & Availability Look for an agent who is experienced enough to know what they’re doing but not so experienced that they […]

When you are shopping around for insurance in northern Alabama, you must know what the kind of coverage you are entitled to. For instance, due to the high chances of being hit by a tornado, home insurance will cover damage from winds, hurricanes, hail storms, and tornados. However, most insurance policies will not cover the […]

When you are ready to put your house on the market, you are going to need to make some changes to your home in order to make it appealing to any potential buyer. This also means that you must be prepared to put out some money in order to make these major changes in your […]

While there many factors that affect a prospective home buyer’s decision to purchase a home, first impressions play a significant role. If you’re unsure what needs to be done in order to attract buyers, there are a few things you can do to stack the odds in your favor. Your house doesn’t have to be […]

Sometimes homeowners think it will be easier if they sell their own home. This way they can deal with buyers directly and have total control of the process. However, there are several reasons FSBO is unwise. It’s risky. Unless you’re a realtor yourself, you could run into issues that fall outside your expertise. How well […]

If you’re a decorating show junky, you’re probably also daydreaming of ways you can spruce up your own humble abode only to realize you can’t afford it. But home updates don’t have to always be big, costly projects! Here are 4 ways to update your home without breaking the bank. 1. Update exterior light fixtures. […]

Did you know that you could potentially get 3-5 % more than your asking price just by decluttering your home? We know purging your stuff and making your house look like a Better Homes & Garden magazine each day sounds exhausting. But when you think about how much more money you could get just for […]