How do you choose which homeowner’s policy to buy? There are several levels of protection that cover the structures on your property as well as personal possessions. One of the key distinctions is how the policy defines what’s covered. Named perils coverage is specific to certain catastrophic events. Open perils coverage addresses most events except those excluded by the policy. Ninety […]

As interest rates fluctuate, you may consider refinancing your mortgage to a lower interest rate, shorter loan term, or lower monthly payment. You may want to switch from an adjustable rate to a fixed-rate loan, or get rid of private mortgage insurance, or borrow more money for value-adding renovations to your home. To ensure you’re making the […]

You’re used to living in your home, but homebuyers notice things you may overlook. What you don’t want is for a buyer to ever get the “ick” over something you could easily have fixed. Icky odors: No matter how loveable your pet is, a homebuyer doesn’t want to step over stinky dog beds and slobbery […]

If you’re wondering why mortgage interest rates for consumers don’t follow the Federal Reserve’s fund rates to banks, there’s a good reason. Interest rates are tied to benchmarks based on how long the debt lasts. The federal funds rate applies to overnight lending between banks, while consumer mortgages are typically long-term, as much as 30 years. […]

When you buy a primary residence, you benefit from numerous perks—if you occupy your home long enough. Not only can you get tax breaks for the mortgage interest you pay—up to $750,000 of debt if you bought after 2017—you can avoid paying capital gains on your home when you sell—up to $500,000 for married joint filers and […]

When people picture Smith Mountain Lake, they often imagine a serene escape: smooth waters, mountain views, and luxurious lake homes perfect for unwinding. While this picture is true, there’s so much more to the story. With wide-open spaces, endless adventure, and a close-knit community, Smith Mountain Lake is the kind of place where kids can […]

Every year, Remodeling Magazine ranks the national average costs of various home remodeling projects by the highest resale value and costs recouped. While most projects impact only parts of a home, their resale value is estimated in the sales price when the home is sold. For example, the top project is a garage door replacement that costs […]

First-time homebuyers may not be familiar with the best ways to choose plants that will thrive for their new home, but a good starting point is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Plant Hardiness Map. The USDA’s 13 Plant Hardiness Zones are defined by the by the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, with each zone covering […]

Getting an older home ready for sale is a lot of work, sometimes requiring extensive repairs and updates to make it attractive enough to today’s homebuyers. But if you don’t want to “spend money to make money”, there are some advantages to selling your home for lot value. Lot value simply means the value of […]

After years of juggling work, school calendars, and back-to-back schedules, you finally get to choose how your days play out. For many people, that decision starts with where they are going to live. Resort communities offer more than just scenic views; they’re designed to support the lifestyle you truly want, whether that means early morning […]