Maria Powell | Downtown or Suburbs – What’s the Right Scene For You?

Downtown or Suburbs – What’s the Right Scene For You?

Published November 30, 2015

Downtown or suburbs? It’s the age-old dilemma that many people face. Depending on your age and what stage you’re currently at in life, this decision can usually be an easy one. Or it can be a challenging one, especially if kids start entering the picture. The answer all comes down to your lifestyle, and all […]

Beyond Red and Green: 4 Modern Decorating Ideas for the Holidays

Published November 26, 2015

For decades, homeowners have covered their homes in the same two colors during the last month of the year. Greenery has long been used as the base color, with bold splashes of red to provide contrast. Colors like gold, silver, and white often creep in, but green and red almost always predominate. In recent years, […]

Keeping Your Home Secure During the Holidays

Published November 23, 2015

Going home for the holidays? You’ll be in good company: one-quarter of Americans take to the open road – or sky – to reunite with family to celebrate the holidays every year. Besides meaning a time to enjoy the company of loved ones, it also means that thieves are on the prowl, waiting for families […]

Understand the Difference Between Base Rate and APR to Know What You’ll Really Be Paying

Published November 19, 2015

The interest rate that you’re being charged on your mortgage obviously has a huge effect on how much you’ll be paying every month. But you’ll probably notice that the base rate of your loan is different from the APR, or annual parentage rate. Why is that? Well, not only does the APR rate calculation include […]

6 Decorating Trends That Never End

Published November 16, 2015

When it’s time to make major changes to your house, you’ll likely follow many other homeowners in checking the latest trends. You may also feel torn between following those trends and going for a more classic look. The pressure for your spaces to have a modern look can make it tough to resist, but if […]

7 Ways to Boost the Resale Value of Your Home

Published November 12, 2015

Regardless of whether or not you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, it pays to make a few updates in order to add value to it. But don’t start dumping hoards of money on major home renovations – instead, simple changes can be easily and quickly made that barely make a dent […]

5 Ways Real Estate Agents Save You Money When Selling Your Home

Published November 9, 2015

It’s understandable – after finally selling your home, it can be tough to fork over the commission fee to a real estate agent. But before you fall into the FSBO trap, consider one very important thing: real estate agents can actually save you money. That’s right. While a commission is due at the end of […]

Home Staging Tips Using the Five Senses

Published November 5, 2015

To sell a home quick, real estate agents will often recommend higher-income clients hire a home stager. The stager comes into a home, removes extra furniture, and makes aesthetic changes that make the home easier to sell. The end result is the type of home you’ll normally see on HGTV or in a home-decorating magazine. […]

Britney Spears Lands SoCal Mansion for $7 Million

Published November 2, 2015

Pop queen Britney Spears has just landed a swanky getaway from her stint in Las Vegas: an expansive estate perched on a hilltop in Thousand Oaks, California. The songstress dropped $7.4 million on the massive 5-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom mansion, which is situated on a 20-acre piece of land filled with olive and magnolia trees, just outside […]