T H E  B L O G

Nutsedges are perennial weeds that are aggressive and difficult to control. While the weed may look grassy, it is not a grass or a broadleaf weed but a sedge.Sedges have triangular stems and three rows of leaves. They grow at a much faster rate than turfgrasses, making them very noticeable in yards.

Have you built up a lot of equity in your home? Home equity is the difference between the value of your home and how much you still have left on your mortgage. If you purchased your home several years ago, you just may be sitting on a pile of available money! For example, if you have a home valued a

The start-of-the-school-year timing Even if you don’t have any kids that you’re hoping to have settled before the first day of school, this could still make an impact on your move because the sellers may be hoping to be out before the back-to-school frenzy. They may have kids they're looking to get

Wondering what the difference is between a Mortgage Preapproval and a Prequalification? When you decide to buy a home, you’ll have to go through an extensive lending process. For many homebuyers, this can be unfamiliar territory, leaving you with questions about the difference between mortgage preap

While mortgage rates are an important factor when deciding to purchase or sell a home, there are other reasons that may make you decide to take the plunge.  Mortgage interest rates have climbed significantly from the record lows of the past few years, so you may be hesitating to give up the lower in

Kitchens are one of the most essential spaces in a home, but a poorly lit kitchen can be a big turn-off for potential buyers. A dark kitchen is not only unattractive but also makes it difficult to cook and work efficiently. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase light in a dark kitchen. In

Is a messy house getting to you? Do you need to get clutter under control before a summertime celebration or milestone event hosted in your home? Here are a few things you can do to reduce the chaos in your home and your life caused by too much clutter! A Place for Everything The best way to tame cl

Pools are wonderful for relaxing sun and fun, right at home, but the energy costs that come along with your backyard oasis can really add up. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help lower those summertime energy bills. Here are some cool pool tips for saving energy. Pool Pumps: Inefficient,

As homeowners, we are always looking for ways to save money. One way to do this is by reducing our energy costs. Many of us are unaware of the amount of energy our household appliances consume. One of the things you can do to save on energy costs is to use energy-efficient light bulbs. LED light bul

If you're in the market for a new home in Andover, Massachusetts, you won't want to miss out on this listing at 305 S Main St. This turnkey colonial has been fully renovated and is in pristine condition, making it the perfect place for you and your family to call home. Located near the Pike School

Here are some simple ways to lower your computer energy costs by making a few adjustments - Choose "sleep" over "screen save." While effective in preserving your computer monitor, screen savers require the same amount of energy as when you use the computer. - Let it hibernate. Set up your computer t

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) provides an alternative option to the traditional fixed-rate mortgage. In an adjustable-rate mortgage, your initial interest rate will be fixed for a set number of years. After the fixed-rate period has ended, your rate and monthly mortgage payment can fluctuate. AR

You found your dream home. Now it's time to start the loan process. You're going to need to work with your loan originator (mortgage lender) to gather all sorts of paperwork to be able to submit your mortgage application. What kinds of paperwork? Here's a pretty comprehensive list! Identity & Income

Buying a home is one of the largest financial transactions you’ll make in life. Any way you can lower your mortgage payment is worth looking at, including buying mortgage points to lower your interest rate. This could possibly save you thousands of dollars over the length of your home loan.  What

Are you wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home?  Buying a home most likely makes the most sense. Rental prices are increasing rapidly, and historically since 1988 rents have always trended up, so rental affordability is an increasing challenge. The median rent across t

Bathrooms have become our places of sanctuary, a respite at the end of a long day or stressful week. If you're contemplating remodeling your bathroom, be sure to avoid making some common mistakes. You want your new bathroom to be relaxing, not a source of anxiety. Here are things to think about when

It's a sure sign that winter is over when you see trees budding and flowers blooming. This magic of nature also means you must plan the next steps in your garden maintenance. What do you need to do to make your garden healthy this spring? Make necessary repairs to hardscaping Hardscaping refers to

Looking for ways to save energy and lower your energy bill? Here are five easy tips! Check for Air Leaks Unidentified air leaks in your home can waste energy and get costly. A common culprit is uninsulated switches and outlets. Athin metal or plastic switchplate isn't enough to prevent air from get

It's the perfect time to do your spring cleaning - the trees are budding and flowers are peeking out of the ground to brighten the landscape and your mood! It's time to refresh inside your home to match nature's spring reawakening. Here are some tips to get you going. 1. Freshen carpets, mats, and

Have you applied for a mortgage and been told it would help if your credit score were higher? Ask your lender if it is possible to do a "credit rescore" for you. It shouldn't take long to improve your credit score, with advice from your lender on just what you can do. The most common ways to quickly