Homeownership Articles
Sharing articles with clients and customers on all aspects of homeownership, buying and selling.
Have You Seen Your Refi and Mortgage Options Lately?
Three good reasons to warm up to a refinance this spring.
Low interest rates and new loan programs abound this spring, so if you assumed your refinancing and mortgage options were dismal, you’ll be surprised by these three offerings.
Help for Homeowners Who Are Behind on Mortgage Payments
If you’re behind on mortgage payments (or about to be), which is putting you at risk of foreclosure, the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) could be your lifeline.
Want to Refinance Your Mortgage But You’re Being Turned Down?
Is your mortgage rate above today’s rates?
Is your house worth less than your current mortgage amount?
Are you unable to refinance into a lower-rate mortgage or convert your adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage?
Then the federal Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is an option you should explore.
HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Here’s an easy, doable preventative maintenance checklist to keep your HVAC in top shape.
How to Prevent Water Damage
Water damage is the No. 1 culprit that weakens your home’s foundation and the very core that holds your house together.
The Right Disaster Insurance for Your Region
The region in which you live dictates what kind of disaster insurance you might need to protect your home from Mother Nature’s wrath.
Screen in Your Deck for a Bug-Free Summer
You can make the most of your backyard by converting your deck to a screened-in porch, which turns mosquitoes, heat waves, and downpours into non-events.
Ikea Studied Americans at Home. Here’s What It Found.
Ikea was curious about what Americans want from their homes. Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with expensive upgrades.
What’s the No. 1 Thing People Want in Their Bathroom?
Bathroom exhaust fans make air smell (much!) sweeter, paint last longer, and mold grow slower or not at all. Learn how to do a bathroom exhaust fan installation.
6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale
When sellers need to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage, they’re shooting for a short sale. Short sale homes can sometimes be bargains, but only if you do your homework, stay patient, and remain unemotional during the sometimes lengthy and difficult short sale process.
How to Pick Paint Colors
Every home suffers a few negatives, but not every solution requires pricey structural changes. Paint is an often-overlooked, low-cost remodeler’s remedy for common complaints with interiors, offering the chameleon-like ability to lighten, warm, enlarge, erase, or attract attention.
Extend the Outdoor Living Season
Make an outdoor living area comfy long after the sun sets or the leaves turn with outdoor lighting, a patio heater, and a glowing firepit or portable fireplace.
Think Your AC Won’t Make it Through the Summer? We’ve Got the Fixes
s your AC making ominous noises? Maybe it sounds fine but isn’t cooling. Here’s a list of common air conditioning warning signs and their likely causes and fixes.
Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Turn in Summer? The Cool Way!
Make sure your ceiling fans rotate in the correct direction to cool you in summer.
Quick Ways to Make Some Shade, But Don’t Forget: Trees Are Best
If you prefer a drier cool, read on to find some quick ways to make some shade. Plus, get some tips on getting shade with some quick-growing trees.