Blog

Yard

Backyards for Barbecues

For some people, homes are about how many bedrooms and bathrooms. For others its about granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. But for some people its more about the outside of the house than the inside. If you are the type who loves having friends and neighbors over, commanding the grill, entertaining […]
Buying

The Low Down on Down Payment

Q1 How much do I need for a down payment? The common misconception is that a buyer needs at least 20% of the purchase price for a down payment. For a $500,000 house that would amount to a $100,000 down payment. While it is true that the more you put down, the less you […]
Maintenance, Selling, Yard

May Flowers – A quick guide to curb appeal

Now that Spring has (finally) sprung, you may be thinking about putting your home on the market. And even if that’s not your plan (for this year, at least), you may still be thinking “what do the neighbor’s think” as you survey your suddenly unruly yard. Here’s a quick guide to improving your home’s curb […]
Buying

Not Every Contract Closes

You won the bidding war. You’ve persisted through attorney review. You’re buying a house! Time to celebrate, right? Well, no, not really. Not every contract closes. Yes, in a highly competitive market getting this far is an accomplishment. But we are seeing more and more properties come back on the market after going under contract. […]