Prepping Lawns & Outdoor Spaces for Fall

A lawn mower cutting down the grass to prepare the outdoors for fall.

The summer months are coming to a close, meaning fall is soon upon us. Some may be disappointed over the end of fun in the sun, while others celebrate cooler temperatures and seasonal delights such as Halloween and pumpkin spice lattes. No matter your stance, your lawn and outdoor spaces need some maintenance. Here are some tasks to check off to prep the outdoors for fall.

Continue reading

Using Colored Concrete in the Home

A garage with a blue, colored concrete floor.

Concrete creates a solid foundation for your house, yet it doesn’t offer much pop in color. Naturally gray, you might wonder if there is a way for you to add some color to make pathways and other structures stand out. There are several affordable ways to implement colored concrete in your home.  Read on to learn more about methods to color your concrete, and how to integrate it into your home!

Continue reading

Planning an Attic Renovation? Where to Start

An attic that has recently undergone renovation to make it a beautiful living space.

Do you currently have an attic space that you only use to collect unwanted junk? Turning your attic into a functional and livable space rather than a dark and dusty storage area is a great way to add value to your home and expand your living space. It may seem like a large undertaking if you’re starting with bare bones, but your project will go much smoother if you start with a solid plan.

Read on to learn about the steps you should take before tackling your attic renovation.

Continue reading

RESPA- What Should You Know Before Buying a House?

A blue book with "RESPA" on the cover.

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was enacted in 1975. The federal statute was introduced to stop malpractice and restrict the usage of escrow accounts in the real estate settlement process.

Who regulates RESPA?

Once RESPA became effective in 1975, it was under the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) jurisdiction. Ever since its inception, the Act has undergone several amendments and changes. However, after 2011, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau monitored RESPA due to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection legislation.

Continue reading

How to Make Your Home Accessible for Aging Parents

Two grandparents in a home that has been made accessible for them and their changing needs.

For many people, the idea of aging in place is appealing. The ability to stay in one’s own home as you age has numerous benefits. It can provide a sense of continuity and comfort, as well as increased independence and control over one’s environment. Plus, aging in place can often be less expensive than moving to a retirement community or long-term care facility. It also allows people to remain close to their family and friends, which can be especially beneficial as they age.

This style of living can allow people to age with dignity, in a setting that is familiar and comfortable to them. For all these reasons, aging in place is an attractive option for many seniors. As a result, we may find ourselves in the position of needing to make some changes to our homes to make them more accessible. This can be a challenge, but it’s important to do what we can to help our aging parents stay safe and independent. Here are a few tips on how to make your home more accessible for aging parents.

Continue reading

8 Upgrades to Avoid When Selling Your Home

A kitchen blueprint with tile samples and measuring tools on it, a upgrade to avoid.

Buying a home is exciting. It can also be nerve-wracking, complicated, risky, and keep you awake at night. The same can be said about selling your home. Both are important decisions that can potentially change your life.

Buying or selling a home requires a lot of preparation. We recommend that you research and consult a professional realtor to streamline the process. Additionally, use all the information available and look at other people’s experiences in selling their homes so you can avoid common mistakes. For example, many homeowners decide to do some remodeling prior to listing their home on the market. While this can improve your chances of sale at the best price point, there are some upgrades to avoid when selling your home.

Continue reading

10 Questions to Determine if You Need a Property Management Firm

A property manager reviewing documents with owners.

Being a landlord is more than just owning a property. There are a vast number of tasks and responsibilities that come along with it and balancing them all can be stressful.

Fortunately, there are options you can explore to lighten the load and maintain a healthy, sustainable relationship with your tenants.

One of the easiest ways to reduce the managerial load of being a landlord is to hire a property management firm. But knowing when to utilize one can be tricky. How do you know when you need help? Asking yourself these 10 questions will help you ‌determine whether a property management firm is your best option. 

Continue reading

Green Design and the Market for Commercial Office Space

A shared work space, one of the ways that a commercial office can be greener.

By 2030, emissions from commercial buildings will rise by 1.8%. What are commercial construction companies doing to reduce this figure, and how is it affecting the market for commercial office space?

The commercial office real estate sector took a hit following the pandemic. Is the emergence of green design a potential aid in the sector’s resurgence? Keep reading about green design and its effect on the commercial office market.

Continue reading

How to Safely Introduce a Pet Dog to Your Chickens (The Right Way!)

A dog saying hello to a friendly chicken in the yard.

As chicken coops have spread beyond farming communities and across the backyards of modern suburbia, more and more people have found themselves struggling to introduce their pet dogs to their new chickens, or even wondering if they should do it at all.

In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of living in harmony with a dog and a flock of chickens.

Continue reading

How to Start Flipping Houses in Retirement

A retired couple sitting in a room in the property they are working on flipping.

If you love watching television home improvement shows and want to try house flipping for yourself, retirement is a great time to start. If done correctly, you can make some serious cash and feel good about breathing life into depressed homes. There are many communities to choose from, including age-restricted retirement communities. Let these helpful tips guide you to starting your own house flipping business as a senior.

Continue reading

Excellence in Real Estate Since 1965