Oakley Signs & Graphics Illuminated Brochure Boxes
Illuminated “Take One” Brochure Boxes from Oakley Signs & Graphics is the first brochure box light of its kind. The solar panel used needs a minimal amount of daytime sun Ultra white ABS with UV guard prevents yellowing Boxes feature EZ Mount, EZ Fill, EZ Drain and EZ Close Easy installation Low maintenance Holds 150 [...]
What’s a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract, normally for one year, which helps protect home owners against the cost of unexpected covered repairs or replacement on their major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Coverage is for systems and appliances in good working order at the start of the [...]
Tips for Buying in a Tight Market
Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market, and lower your chances of losing out to another buyer. 1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller. 2. Stay in close contact with [...]
Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood
Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home. Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities — movies, health club, church, etc. — you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have [...]
10 Questions to Ask the Condo Board
Before you buy, contact the condo board with the following questions. In the process, you’ll learn how responsive — and organized — its members are. You’ll also be alerted to potential problems with the property. 1. What percentage of units is owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the [...]
Making an Offer on a Short Sale? What You Need to Know
Are you looking to buy a new home? Are you thinking that now’s a great time to find bargains? Before you make an offer, it pays to know a little about the seller’s situation. If a home is being sold for below what the current seller owes on the property—and the seller does not have [...]
Tips for Pricing Your Home
Consider comparables. What have other homes in your neighborhood sold for recently? How do they compare to yours in terms of size, upkeep, and amenities? Consider competition. How many other houses are for sale in your area? Are you competing against new homes? Consider your contingencies. Do you have special concerns that would affect the [...]
Open House Safety Tips
An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Stay safe by practicing these guidelines. Call the local police department and ask them to have a squad care drive by during your open-house hours. Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior [...]
Specialty Mortgages: Risks and Rewards
In high-priced housing markets, it can be difficult to afford a home. That’s why a growing number of home buyers are forgoing traditional fixed-rate mortgages and standard adjustable-rate mortgages and instead opting for a specialty mortgage that lets them “stretch” their income so they can qualify for a larger loan. But before you choose one [...]
Take the Stress Out of Homebuying
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible. 1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that [...]
Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR
Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs. 1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate — like many other professions — is mostly learned on the job. 2. What [...]
Why You Should Work With a REALTOR
Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®. 1. You’ll have an expert [...]
10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership
1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income. 2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list. 3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of three or four neighborhoods you’d like to [...]
5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market
1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. 2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter [...]
12 Questions to Ask When Choosing Your REALTOR
Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs. 1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate — like many other professions — is mostly learned on the job. 2. What [...]
8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR
Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here’s why it pays to work with a REALTOR®. 1. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling [...]
Does Moving Up Make Sense?
These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move. 1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement [...]
What to Do When the Sale Price Leaves You Short
If you’re thinking of selling your home, and you expect that the total amount you owe on your mortgage will be greater than the selling price of your home, you may be facing a short sale. A short sale is one where the net proceeds from the sale won’t cover your total mortgage obligation and [...]
Simple Tips for Better Home Showings
1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too. 2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help [...]
