Homeowners can make a lot of mistakes during that first year in homeownership, especially when eagerness can sometimes lead to ignorance. HouseLogic recently featured several of the most common and costly missteps homeowners most often make in their first year, including:1. Always going with the lowest bid.Homeowners may be smart about gathering multiple bids when, say, that HVAC system needs repairs. But they may be tempted to always go with the
Energy-efficient homes built too tightly have building experts warning about the potential health impact on owners. A home sealed efficiently can be great for reducing heating and cooling costs and managing its environmental impact. But the home itself still needs to breathe, some experts warn.“Many homeowners are now having trouble with their more tightly built houses because the homes lack the ventilation necessary to get the stale insi
Home improvement projects present the biggest opportunity for scammers to take advantage of homeowners, according to the Better Business Bureau’s Risk Index. Victims of home improvement scams lost an average of $1,400 from shady contractors, painters, and other repairmen, according to the BBB’s analysis.The analysis found that such scams pose the highest risk to homeowners based on three criteria: exposure (how likely consumers are to be expo
Ooma, a smart home phone and security company, offers six tips for preventing break-ins. Front door surveillance. Because 34 percent of break-ins happen through the front door of a home, recommend that your clients install a smart doorbell that routes to their phone. Other security options Ooma mentions include two-way speakers that will give visitors the impression the owner is home, or video cameras so your clients can see who’s at the door
Help your clients give the illusion of a perfectly manicured yard with these easy steps for sprucing up greenery from HouseLogic.Create accents with rocks. They don’t require the same level of care, water, and sunlight that grass and plants do. Rocks are good tools for forming pathways, adding design elements, or creating dry creek beds. Spots in the yard that collect water can be kept under control with rocks, which aid water runoff.Use colorf
Engage your audience with a mix of personal and helpful contentWhen was the last time you checked your Facebook feed?If it’s been more than a few minutes, you’re one of the few who can resist the allure. Real estate agents live on Facebook, and it makes perfect sense. That’s where their sphere is. And that’s where they can make new connections quickly and inexpensively.But posting on Facebook is another thing. It’s tricky to strike the
A home's price is based on many factors that can’t be changed, such as location, square footage, and age. While these fixed factors may seem like an end-all-be-all, you can present your client’s home in other ways that may add perceived value for buyers. A full overhaul or shiny new kitchen are not the only options — choosing the right home decor can go a long way in bringing buyers.Here's a look at some top accessories and decor choices
The original "Stars and Stripes" version of the U.S. flag, designed by Betsy Ross, was adopted by Congress on June 14, 1777. Tomorrow marks the flag's 240th birthday—Flag Day—a day when homeowners across America will display the flag proudly outside their doorsteps. But before the flag is raised, pass on these tips to your sphere from the Veterans of Foreign Wars on proper flag etiquette. Never let the flag touch the ground. When flown on the
Here are some of the heftiest costs of homeownership to be aware of:Property taxes. This is often the largest home expense after a mortgage, and some of the highest property-tax rates are in the Northeast. Buyers there might need to take extra financial measures to make sure they can afford their home. Homeowners in Buffalo, N.Y., for example, pay 2.9 percent of their home’s value in property taxes. In Rochester, N.Y., they pay 2.8 percent. Nat
Buyers will glean plenty of information from the seller’s disclosure agreement, the home inspector, and maybe even their new neighbors. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few questions they should ask the seller at the walkthrough or before closing.Realtor.com® suggests buyers ask some of the following questions of sellers:Have you had any past problems with the home that you’ve repaired?Sellers typically must disclose existing problem
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