Not Buying or Selling a Home this Year
Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash Equity Will Grow Many experts expect home prices to continue to increase in 2024, but not by much. Freddie Mac thinks that 0.8% will be the growth rate, and the National Association of Realtors has pegged the number at 2.6%. ...
Mortgage Interest Rates
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash Let’s chat about one of the significant trends in the real estate market right now: mortgage interest rates. You know, lenders charge that percentage of your loan amount as an interest fee. In 2021, the average mortgage...
2023 Real Estate Market in Review
Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash Hey there! Let’s discuss what’s happening in real estate in 2024. A few key trends are shaping the market, and if you’re thinking of buying or selling, you’ll want to keep an eye on these. Home Inventory First up, let’s talk about home...
What Low Inventory in the Real Estate Market Means for Home Sellers
Photo by Levi Jones on Unsplash Let’s discuss what a low inventory market means for you as a seller. It’s like being the only shop in town selling ice cream on a hot day - less competition for you! If your home is in a prime location or has those sought-after...
What Low Inventory in the Real Estate Market means for Home Buyers
Photo by Boris Dunand on Unsplash Let’s dive into what low inventory in the real estate market means for you as a buyer. Picture this: you’re at a store with only a few items left on the shelves. You’ve got to grab what you want before someone else does, right? That’s...
Royal Icing for Cookies
Photo by Yulian Karadzhov on Unsplash Ready to whip up some super easy royal icing? This classic recipe uses meringue powder, sets quickly, and won’t turn into a rock-hard mess when it dries. Plus, it tastes fantastic and makes decorating sugar cookies a breeze. You...
Sugar Cookies
Photo by Nicholas Safran on Unsplash Description With crisp edges, thick centers, and room for lots of decorating icing, I know you’ll love these soft sugar cookies as much as I do. The number of cookies this recipe yields depends on the size of the cookie cutter you...
3 Things We Can Learn from Celebrity Homes
I can help you rewrite the paragraph you provided, using different words and expressions, but keeping the same meaning and information. Here is one possible way to rewrite it: Have you ever Googled a celebrity? Go ahead, we'll wait. They're gorgeous and rich,...
Are Millennials looking for Bigger Homes?
Web search results suggest that millennials do not have a uniform preference for the size of their homes. Their choices are influenced by some factors such as: The COVID-19 pandemic: A survey by the National Association of Home Builders found that more than a third...
Decorate Your Apartment for the Holidays
You might want to make your apartment more festive for the holidays. Here are some ideas that might help you: Start with the tree if that is part of your tradition. You don’t need a big tree to have a merry one. You can choose a smaller tree, a tabletop tree, or even...
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
INGREDIENTS 8 Servings 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon Ground White Pepper 2/3 cup milk 3 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese INSTRUCTIONS 1 How to Make Garlic...
How to Get the Best Mortgage Rate
Getting the best mortgage rate can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. However, finding the best rate is not always easy, as different lenders may offer different rates and terms. Here are some tips on how to get the best mortgage rate, based on...
How to Revive Your Hardwood Floors Without Remodeling
Photo by ASIA CULTURECENTER on Unsplash You don't have to replace your hardwood floors to give them a new look. There are many ways to refresh and update your floors without breaking the bank. Here are some tips and tricks from the experts. Clean or...
Pops of Color
You don’t have to paint your walls to give your home a fresh and colorful look. Painting can be a hassle and a costly project, and you might regret it if you don’t like the outcome. Luckily, there are other ways to brighten up your home with some pops of color. Here...
Should You Paint Your Home Before Selling?
Painting your house before selling is a good idea, as it can add value to your home and attract more buyers. Painting your house can also make a positive first impression, as it shows that you have maintained your home well and updated it to the current trends....
Ways to Add Value to Your Home
Before you sell, you should consult a real estate agent. They have the knowledge and experience to help you with what buyers want, what sells in your area, and other useful tips. Talking to them is free, so you have nothing to lose and only insights to gain. Their...
7 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Home’s Value for Sale
Consult with a Professional: Invite an interior designer to evaluate your home. Consult with several local designers; their standard hourly fee is typically less than $100. In just an hour, they can provide numerous suggestions for improvements. Even minor...
Choose the Right Neighborhood for You
Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash If you’re starting to think about looking for a new home, picking the neighborhood can seem almost as complicated as picking the house itself. Here are five things to keep in mind as you explore neighborhoods you might like to live in....
Choosing the Right Backsplash for Your Kitchen
Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash Choosing the right backsplash for your kitchen can be fun and creative. Here are some tips to help you get started: Consider the style of your kitchen: The backsplash should complement the overall style of your kitchen. For example,...
Coziest Fall Decorating Trends for 2023
Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash As we transition into the fall of 2023, the world of interior design is embracing a host of cozy trends that promise to add warmth and comfort to our living spaces. These trends are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also...
Libby’s Pumpkin Muffins
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 3 cups granulated sugar 1 can (15 ounces) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin 4 large eggs 1/2 cup vegetable...
Plan for the Holidays Now!
Photo by John Matychuk on Unsplash I know what you’re thinking... “Holiday season already?! Make it stop!” Each year it seems like retail is pushing the holidays out sooner and sooner. While the holiday season is a time of celebration and family, it can bring a lot of...
September 2023 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report
Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash Key Takeaways The amount of homes actively for sale is down 4.0% compared to last year. The quantity of unsold homes, including homes that are under contract, is lower by 7.2% compared to last year. There are 9.1% less newly listed...
Understanding Reverse Mortgages
A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows homeowners at least 62 years old to access a portion of their home equity. Instead of the borrower making monthly payments to the lender, as in a traditional mortgage, the lender makes payments to the borrower. The...
25 Fun Fall Activities for the Family
Ah, fall – that magical time when leaves turn all sorts of colors, the weather starts to chill out, and the holiday season is just around the corner. It's like nature's way of saying, "Hey, let's have some fun!" And guess what? We've got the ultimate list of 25...
Add a Pop of Color to your White Bathroom
Photo by Collov Home Design on Unsplash Ever thought about adding a pop of color to your all-white bathroom? Well, it turns out designers are on board with this idea too. Those pristine white floors, tiles, and cabinets are starting to feel a bit dull, and...
August 2023 Housing Market
Time for your monthly dive into the housing market trends for August 2023. Let's break it down in a more casual, easy-to-digest manner: Homes Up for Grabs: There were 7.9% fewer homes up for sale compared to last year. Yep, it's a bit of a decrease. ...
Dealing with Natural Disasters
Image by Jan Helebrant from Pixabay As hurricane season comes to the United States, it is an excellent time to review how to deal with natural disasters. Natural disasters are like these totally unexpected curveballs life throws at us. You can't predict when they'll...
Not-So-Typical Ways to Put Together that Down Payment for Your Dream Home
Programs: So, you've got your eyes set on owning a house, but the big bad down payment is standing in your way. You've probably heard that banks usually want a hefty 20% of the home's price upfront. Anything less, and you'll likely end up shelling out for private...
Homemade Soda Cracker Recipe
Photo by Romina BM on Unsplash Yield: 40-50 Crackers Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling dough 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes 1 cup whole milk...