A: Also known as a purchase money mortgage or carry-back, it is when the seller agrees to “lend” money to the buyer to purchase and close on the seller’s home. Usually sellers do this when money is tight, interest rates are high or when a buyer has difficulty qualifying for a conventional loan or meeting… Read More
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Planning an Outdoor Makeover? 15 Popular Upgrades
Signs of spring (and summer!) are cropping up everywhere, and for homeowners, that means readying outdoor spaces for the season. Some, according to a Houzz.com report, are planning to renovate, as well. “Nearly half of outdoor renovators spend six or more hours a week in their yards, motivating them to invest in major features that… Read More
Video: Designer Tips to Make Your Home Look Expensive
Many of the more upscale homes on the market today are minimalist – no frills, sleet surfaces, soft natural pallets with pops of color, and nearly bare walls. If you’re looking to stage your home for sale, keep these things in mind as well as the tips in this video. ~Bill == == == Shopping… Read More
20 Ways to Spring Clean the Natural Way
(Family Features)—Spring cleaning on the agenda? Don’t break out the bleach—reach for vinegar, a non-toxic cleaning solution, instead. It’s less expensive than commercial products, and has much more use value. “Cleaning with vinegar has always been an effective way to banish dirt and grime in kitchens, bathrooms, the garage and the outdoors,” says Mike Smith,… Read More
Video: Must Haves for the Nursery
As a grandparent I have a couple of my own “must haves” to add to the good advice in the video below. Right from day one, in my humble opinion, one of the most important extras for the baby’s room is a Baby Wipes Warmer! Have you felt how cold those things are right out… Read More
Video: How to Pare Down Your Possessions
Video: How to Pare Down Your Possessions Every time you move you find yourself weeding out the unnecessary. Cloths, furniture, bric-a-brac, it all needs to go. I’ve made a couple major moves of my own, one across the country, and I found the advice in the video below to be constructive, even if you’re not… Read More
5 Hot Curb Appeal Trends for 2016
By John Egan Curb appeal is in the eyes of the buyer. But as Texas Tech University researchers Emmett Elam and Andrea Stigarall point out, the precise factors that influence a homebuyer’s perceptions of curb appeal are debatable. What is not debatable is the lift that curb appeal gives to the value of a home. Improving… Read More
What Will Homes Look Like in 10 Years?
Accessibility. Automation. Conservation. Health. Safety. These themes are expected to shape the future of residential home design, according to a recent American Institute of Architects (AIA) report. “Historically, the dominant factors in home design have been economic and demographic shifts,” says AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. “Residential architects are seeing these forces at play in… Read More
Thank You Thursday honors Nurses everywhere!
Two fundamental traits of our health care professionals, hard work and kindness, often go unnoticed and unrewarded. I deal with Nurses on a regular basis through an amazing program called AZVHV Heroes Home Advantage, and I’ve come to respect the immense burden they accept each time they step into their workplace. I am acutely aware… Read More
Video – Avoiding Moving Company Dilemmas
This video has some great advice including insurance for your move and a visit to www.protectyourmove.gov. A few additional tips from someone who’s been there a few times: Pack valuables in advance and carry them with you, as well as very fragile items or those irreplaceable things with sentimental value. Home Buyer’s Frequently Asked Questions Home… Read More