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Old homes in need of lots of repairs can often be spooky—but that doesn’t mean they’re haunted. A spooky home may only need work, not an exorcism. If you’re open to it, you could end up with more space and features at a bargain price. Older homes needing work tend to sell at an attractive […]

  As a home seller, you have three goals—to sell your home for the highest sum in the shortest time with the least effort. But if you make either of the following mistakes, your home will take longer to sell and for less money. You may decide on the FSBO (for sale by owner) route to avoid paying real estate professional […]

If you’re wondering how insurance companies can stay in business after major natural disasters, there’s a centuries-old strategy they have for mitigating losses called reinsurance. Reinsurance is, in simple terms, insurance that insurance companies buy for themselves to protect their assets against unforeseen or extraordinary losses. It’s unknown when and where a wildfire, tornado, or hurricane […]

The best interior designs don’t happen by accident. One tried and true “rule” that interior designers, artists, craftspeople, and furniture makers rely upon is the 2/3 Rule. The 2/3 Rule can be used when you select anything for your home—a sofa, oil painting, fine rug, or chandelier. If you’re unhappy with something you’ve chosen, it […]

Short-term rentals average 8% to 12% ROI, but it’s getting harder to make a profit. According to a joint report by Airbnb, VRBO, STR, and Datarade, occupancy rates have declined since 2021 while inflation, interest rates, insurance premiums and property management costs are all higher. Municipalities are imposing more regulations on rentals, and many vacation destination markets, like […]

  Since the 1940s, the “working triangle” has been known as the model of efficiency for modern kitchens. But as society changes, so do concepts of how kitchen space is utilized. The kitchen triangle was designed to save steps between the most frequently used appliances—the refrigerator, cooktop/stove/oven, and the sink. This concept worked well for small single-cook […]

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. […]