T H E  B L O G

Are you drooling with envy at the bathrooms you're seeing in magazines and on tv? Remodeling your bathroom with some trendy designs and fixtures is sure to make it look more modern and inviting. It's is a great way to add character, comfort and value to your home, too! Walk-in Showers A walk-in show

There's a lot to understand when buying a home, starting with some of the key terms you'll hear from your Realtor, Lender and Bank.  So what do they mean? Credit Score Your credit score helps your lender determine the likelihood that you'll repay your future debts, including your mortgage. Scores ra

Are you thinking of selling this winter? We can give you time-tested advice on what to do to maximize your return on your home sale, but get a jump on things by doing these tasks: - Clean vents and baseboards, and replace furnace filters - Check lightbulbs and replace as needed, using the most energ

While mortgage rates are higher now than they were last year, you still may be thinking about buying a home soon. Higher interest rates will impact how much it costs to borrow money for a mortgage, so it's imperative to come up with a plan and be mindful of your "must haves" and "would like to haves

It's fun and exciting to think about putting an addition on your home but it takes a lot of forethought and planning to ensure a successful and on-budget result. So whether you're adding a bathroom, a sunroom, a deck or a larger addtion, before you jump into a home addition project, be sure to consi

No one loves us like our pets love us! So if you're planning a move, be sure to prepare for moving your pet safely. Did you know that more than 10 million pets go missing each year? A good number of those wander off while their families are preparing for or in the midst of a move. So be sure to take

With the rapid shift that’s happened in the housing market this year, many people are worried that we’re headed for a repeat of the crash we saw in 2008. There are, however, many big differences between what’s happening today and what happened during the bubble in the early 2000s. The main reason is

  From traveling to gathering with family to hosting friends at a new home for the very first time, the holiday season can be a whirlwind. But the schedule of celebrations can be even more complicated for someone planning to search for a home this time of year. Here are some tips to make things easi

Is your linen closet bulding at the seams? For many fpeople, linen closets turn into catch-all spots for much more than just sheets and towels - paper products, extra toiletries and other household supplies come to mind. So how can you clean things up? Here are five tips to get you started on making

Transform Your Kitchen on a Budget Your kitchen isn't just a place to cook, It's where family and friends tend to gather. It still needs to serve its intended functions, which means it needs to be designed in the best way possible for you to cook, serve and provide storage. Total kitchen renovations

As you thinking about making a move and wondering if winter is a good or bad time to sell? If your current living situation no longer meets your needs (or wants), and if you want to remedy that soon, then give some serious thought to moving during the winter!  Here are three reasons you may want to

This article from Realtor.com takes a look at the major causes of house fires and how to prevent them. Deadly house fires are growing in frequency—and many homeowners have less time to get to safety. Newer homes and furnishings are burning faster, research shows, giving owners just three to four min

Are you thinking of buying a home but don't know what to budget for it? Or how to save money for the purchase?  To be able to properly budget, you'll need to understand some of the costs you might encounter.   Here are some costs you can expect. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is probably

Should You Buy a Vacation Rental Property? A second home or vacation rental is often a dream of many people. But is a vacation rental a sound investment? It can be the foundation for wonderful memories for you and your family, but you may also be thinking about the possibility of renting it out to m

Retirement is one of the biggest life changes many people face. Retirement  can have a major impact on what you need from your home, and if you're planning to do more of the things you enjoy, like traveling, visiting with loved ones, or taking on new hobbies, you may want to focus less on your home

You don't have to live in a hurricane prone area to get roof damage. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so it's important to keep it in good shape.  Roofs are susceptible to a number of problems, which is why it's important to know how to spot them. Here are four common roofi

What are the Benefits of a VA Loan? Believe it or not, buying a home doesn’t always require a traditional 20% down payment. If you’re a current or former member of the U.S. Military, you may qualify for a VA loan, which allows you to purchase a home without a down payment. That’s just one of the adv

There's more to consider than just mortgage interest rates when you decide to purchase a home. What else? Well, consider the non-financial reasons it may make sense to make a move. When you add the financial and non-financial reasons together, you just can't beat being a homeowner! Homeowners Can Ma

Are you looking for a home, or thinking about jumping into the home-buying pool? If so, you probably want to secure the lowest interest rate possible for your home loan, and that may seem confusing! Especially with the dramatic rise in interest rates that has followed record-low rates. To get the be

What You Need to Know About Your Local Market Today's real estate market is shifting quickly, so if you're thinking of doing any renovation or remodeling projects for your Andover home before listing it on the market, be sure you're going to get your investment back. These are just some things we wi