Posts in category 'House Tips'

You don't need to put down 20 percent to buy a home, but if you have a lower down payment than that your lender will likely require something called private mortgage insurance, which adds to the cost of your monthly mortgage payment.

While it often makes more sense to buy with a lower down payment and pay these monthly amounts, rather than wait until you can save enough for a larger down payment, the sooner you can get rid of PMI, the sooner you can lower your mortgage payment. So how, exactly, do you do that?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined different options for home buyers to get rid of private mortgage insurance,...

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Whether you're in the market for a new home or are considering refreshing your current space, it's important to know what's new, fresh, and on-trend in home design.

And it's just as important to know what's not so new, fresh, and on-trend.

So, as we close out 2023, what trends are on their way out?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined design trends you may want to leave behind in 2023, including:

• Curvy sofas. A curvy sofa can add visual interest to a room. But they typically don't provide much seating, and can also be hard to match with ot...

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Years ago, people expected to buy a "starter home" and live in it for a while, build up some equity, and then sell it and move up to a bigger house a time or two until they reached their final forever home.

But two things have made it difficult for first-time buyers to take that approach:

• Even so-called starter homes have price tags that seem more fit for a mansion.
• Many buyers want to skip buying a "starter home" and feel they should be able to afford a mansion. A smaller house, a fixer-upper, or one not that isn't in a person's dream neighborhood is often seen as not enough.

In other words, first-time buyers often feel they have to spend more money than they should for a house that isn't even close to as nice as they aspire to live in. Champagne taste on a beer...

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New Year's is right around the corner. With the new year comes the opportunity to make the changes you want to make to be your happiest, healthiest self, and that includes changes in your home.

But what home improvements can you make in early 2024 that will actually contribute to better health and well-being?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined healthy home upgrades homeowners should consider making in the new year, including:

• Installing quartz or marble countertops. Quartz and marble countertops don't just look sleek in the kitchen, these...

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The holidays are around the corner and, for many people, this season means hosting lots of holiday guests.

But the question is, if you're hosting for the holidays, how can you deck out your guest room in a way that feels inviting, welcoming, and functional for your holiday guests?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined design accents and upgrades to add to your guest room to make guests feel more comfortable (and festive!) this holiday season, including:

• A personal drink tray. Leaving a drink tray in your guest room (as well as a f...

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