OUR BLOG

HOW TO Clean When Your Home is For Sale Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power-cleaning tips to try. Clean windows make a huge difference. Remove window screens and place them […]

HOW TO Add Curb Appeal Trim bushes and branches so they don’t block windows or architectural details. Set a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch or front walkway. Install new, matching locks and knobs on your front door. Repair any cracks or holes in the driveway, and clean […]

HOW TO Hire a Remodeling Contractor Shop around for the right company. Get at least three written estimates. Ask for and check references. If possible, look at jobs the contractor recently completed. Check with your local chamber of commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary licenses and […]

HOW TO Hold a Successful Garage Sale Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter and earn a little extra cash before you move. But make sure you plan ahead; they can take on a life of their own. Don’t wait until the last minute. Depending on how long you’ve lived […]

CHECKLIST Before Putting Your Home up for Sale Here are a few items to take care of before listing your home. This can make the sale process quicker and easier in the long run. Consider a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that […]

WORKSHEET Calculate Capital Gains When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on the difference between what you paid for the stock and how much you got for the sale. The same holds true in home sales, but there are other considerations. How to Calculate Gain Your home’s original sales price when you bought it […]

QUESTIONS TO ASK When Considering Selling These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, you may be ready to move. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Check your annual mortgage statement […]

VOCABULARY Agency & Agency Relationships The term “agency” is used in real estate to help determine what legal responsibilities your real estate professional owes to you and other parties in the transaction. The seller’s representative (also known as a listing agent or seller’s agent) is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are […]

QUESTIONS TO ASK When Choosing a REALTOR® How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? Like most professions, experience is no guarantee of skill. But much of real estate is learned on the job. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? This […]