Blog

The smoky aroma of a wood-burning fireplace is an annual winter pleasure for many homeowners. But eventually, the stale smell of burned wood and ash seems to permeate the whole house. Then it’s time to take action. A poorly-maintained fireplace can cause far more than unpleasant odors—it can create serious hazards like chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, […]

If you want to celebrate the holidays by pausing your home search until next year, you may be missing an excellent time to buy a home. Homes on the market during the holidays have typically been for sale for a while. They could be overpriced or in less than move-in condition. The owners could be […]

Since June 2019, list prices are up 37.6% and price per square foot is up nearly 52.3%, but there are signs the housing market is slowing—at least in some areas. In July 2025, the number of homes for sale grew 24.8% year-over-year, according to Realtor.com, and they remained on the market a week longer than the […]

Waterfront living makes everyday moments specialMany have dreamed of owning a waterfront home, but dismissed the idea, considering it beyond their reach. In many cases, once they do a little research, buyers are pleasantly surprised to find that a lakeside property can be theirs. However, it’s important to consider the difference between a conventional home […]

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 […]