Blog Entries in June
Interest Rates & How They Affect Your Homebuying Journey
The Evolving Landscape of Homeownership Dreaming of your next home? Perhaps you’re a first-time buyer eager to step onto the property ladder, or maybe you're looking to upgrade, downsize, or relocate. While the real estate market is always evolving, understanding a few key factors can empower you to make smart decisions, no matter the economic climate. You might be hearing a lot abou
Keep Cool & Save Money
By Chris Petry Well, it’s summer and it’s hot. Really, really hot. I hope you sun-worshipers are happy because the rest of us certainly aren’t. Yesterday, when I climbed into my car after work, I was moving my hands back and forth from the steering wheel to the gear shifter like a cat swatting a toy mouse. Black leather interiors do not serve one’s hands well when the ca
Buying a House in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide for Today's Buyers
Buying a home can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s fast-changing market. But with the right guidance and updated tools, it’s completely possible to make smart, confident moves. Whether you're asking how to buy your first home in 2025 or simply curious about what steps to take, this guide has you covered. Who Is This Guide For? This guide is made for you if you'
Which Home Project Has the Best Return?
By Chris Petry People often speculate about what home improvement projects might increase their resale value, delivering them the best return on their investment. Fortunately, you’re probably right no matter where your mind goes when prompted with that question. News windows and doors, updated kitchens and bathrooms and the conversion of traditional storage spaces like basements and attic
Get Bambi Out of the Garden
By Chris Petry If you’ve ever lived near a tree line, park or forest at any point in your life, you’ve probably encountered the menace of the hoofed ruminant ungulate, family Cervidae. I speak, of course, of the deer. That’s right, I came right out of the gate calling deer a menace. No apologies. Okay, maybe a little. While one can certainly acknowledge their place in the ecos
It's Location, Location, Location
By Chris Petry You’ve heard the old phrase, “location, location, location.” It’s everything in real estate, they say. Now, one assumes that refers to the price your home will sell for based on its geographic location. Homes located in more popular, more populated, locations might be ascribed more value in the market than homes located in less popular, less populated area
Bzzzzzzzzzz... They're Back
By Chris Petry Anyone have ants? I never had ants. Not until a freako storm came rolling through last month and knocked out my power for three full days. It was day two when I noticed that the box of popsicles in my freezer had melted and, moving with the flow of gravity, found their way into the refrigerator below and then onto the wood floor below that. Then, as if a top-secret radio broadcas
The 4th of July is the Perfect Time to Sell
Every July 4th, you’ll see sign after sign, ad after ad, promoting some of the year’s biggest sales. It might even be the biggest consumer spending window of the year, after Black Friday. Mattresses, automobiles, grills, furniture… it’s all on sale. Act Now! If you think about it, is there any better day to capitalize on the culture of American consumerism than the day we
Heat Proofing Your Home
By Chris Petry Well, despite heavy rain providing a temporary respite, it looks like we’re in for another scorcher of a summer. According to predictions from AccuWeather, average daytime temperatures are tracking at 2-4 degrees higher than average. Which doesn’t seem like a lot except the average has been creeping upward for the last several years. So, what can you do to beat the im
Artwork and Its Value When Selling a Home
By Chris Petry When we think of the things that tend to add value to homes, it’s rare that we consider personal effects. It makes sense. Possessions go into boxes and those boxes are transported to the owner’s new home where they’ll be filed, stored, or displayed once more. What if I told you, however, that the mere presence of certain possessions on a home tour or in a listin
