Posts by koakley
Selling Your Home to the Millennial Homebuyer
There’s a new generation of homebuyers out there, and they are distinctly different than those who came before them. Millennials—a total of about 80 million people born between 1980 and 2000—constitute about 35 percent of today’s homebuyers, according to a 2016 National Association of Realtors study. Although many of them have school loan and credit…
Read MoreTake your spring cleaning outside: Exterior maintenance checklist
Spring cleaning is not just an indoor sport. The outside of your home needs some sprucing up this time of year, too. Follow this exterior maintenance checklist and take your spring cleaning outside. Wash the walls. You might be surprised at how much dirt has built on your home’s exterior walls. Use a pressure washer…
Read More2017 design trends for outdoor living spaces
For months, you’ve been looking outside, yearning for the days when you could relax, play, and entertain out there. With all this time to think about it, have you considered ways to improve or upgrade your outdoor living spaces? New products have been introduced and we’re seeing a variety of 2017 design trends for outdoor…
Read MoreWhat’s in your dream kitchen?
Kitchens have evolved from the functional space of earlier generations to more creative and aesthetic areas. Thanks to today’s technology, storage options, and design details, the kitchen is grown exponentially in its functionality. With so many choices for flooring, countertops, cabinetry styles and materials, sinks, plumbing and lighting fixtures, there’s no end to what you…
Read MoreMortgages 101: It’s not as scary as you think
Financing a home can seem intimidating to the first-time homebuyer. If you’ve never applied for a mortgage before, don’t be afraid of the process. When you break it down and understand what is involved, you will be prepared to sail through the process! Check your credit report. First and foremost, review your credit report. Your…
Read More14 questions to ask your homebuilder
The process of progressing your custom home from vision to move-in should be an exciting experience. Choosing the right homebuilder is the first step toward ensuring your satisfaction. Here are 14 questions to ask your homebuilder before making this important choice. Will you build on my lot or do I need to purchase property from…
Read MoreClutter versus Keepers: How to get (and stay) organized
When you move into a new home, you usually start by getting organized. When you were packing up your belongings, you probably purged a lot of items, just to lighten your load. Before long, you see signs that the clutter bug is back. Mail, magazines, and an assortment of papers are scattered on tables, counters,…
Read More10 ways to improve your indoor air quality
You spend a lot more time inside your home during the cold weather. Did you know you could be breathing in more pollutants inside your home than outside? Dust mites, pet dander, second-hand smoke, and mold are the obvious culprits, but the problem goes deeper. Household cleaners, air fresheners, carpets, furniture, and even the paint…
Read MorePost-holiday home touch-ups
The party’s over. Friends and family members have gone home. You’re taking down the holiday decorations, with far less enthusiasm than when you festooned your home with the sparkle, glitter, ribbons, bows, and scents that put you in the holiday spirit. Now you’re seeing the fresh scars on the wood furniture, stains on the rugs…
Read MorePrevent a Christmas tree fire.
Every year, about 210 home fires start with a Christmas tree, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. One-third of these fires results from an electrical problem, says the U.S. Fire Administration. That twinkling symbol of holiday joy could end up causing you tremendous loss, unless you follow steps to prevent a Christmas tree fire.…
Read MoreThe price of procrastination: Mortgage rates are rising
Homebuyers have been reaping rewards of a struggling economy since the recession. Housing prices and interest rates dropped to historic lows in 2009, and have not fully recovered in the years that followed. Like all good things—if you’re a homebuyer, that is—the bargain is coming to an end. At this writing, the rate for a…
Read MoreTake it easy with these Thanksgiving dinner cooking tips and time-savers.
It’s coming. That time of year when the family descends on one another for a day-long feeding frenzy. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, don’t panic. Take it easy with these Thanksgiving cooking tips and time-savers. Estimate 1 to 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person, to make sure you have enough. Too much…
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