Maria Powell | Curb Appeal: 7 Ways to Boost the First Impression of Your Home

Curb Appeal: 7 Ways to Boost the First Impression of Your Home

Published May 1, 2017

Curb appeal speaks volumes to prospective buyers. Nobody is going to be enticed to spend the big bucks on a home that looks shabby from the outside, unless the buyer is a flipper or investor. Otherwise, you’ll likely be sending buyers in the other direction if your home’s exterior leaves much to be desired.

What Are HOA Special Assessments and Why Should You Care?

Published April 27, 2017

You’ve most likely already heard of a homeowner’s association (HOA), which is basically the governing entity over homes and common areas within an HOA community. It’s the HOA that sets forth a set of rules and regulations that homeowners need to follow and charges a set monthly fee that covers the cost of maintaining the community.

Tips for Listing Your Condo For a Quick Sale

Published April 24, 2017

While there are certainly similarities between selling different forms of real estate, there are also some differences that should be noted as well. Before you even begin the listing process for your condo, it would be wise to understand what these differences are.

INFOGRAPHIC: Top 9 Things to Consider Before Putting an Offer on a Home

Published April 20, 2017

Out of all the purchases you ever make in your life, a home is likely the biggest. Take the time to consider the following in order to ensure you’re making a sound buying decision.

Green Energy Loans: New Bills Introduced to Protect California Borrowers

Published April 17, 2017

Two new bills have been recently introduced in California that will protect homeowners with ‘green’ energy improvements on their properties that have been financed through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loan program.

7 Reasons to Add Mulch to Your Landscaping

Published April 13, 2017

You might have a beautiful home, but adding landscaping to its exterior can dramatically improve its esthetics. Not only that, landscaping can significantly boost the value of your home as well.

Moved For Your Job? You Can Deduct Certain Moving Expenses

Published April 10, 2017

The process of buying and selling is certainly an expensive one, so anything you can do to save a buck or two would be a welcomed proposition. The good news is, you might be able to save a little of money by deducting some of your moving expenses if you’ve relocated because of a change in job. However, there are certain criteria that need to be met in order to qualify for such deductions come tax time.

INFOGRAPHIC: Top 9 Reasons Why Closings Are Delayed in Real Estate

Published April 6, 2017

In the majority of cases, real estate closings happen on time as per the scheduled date. However, there are times when such closings may be delayed for any number of reasons.

6 Home Repairs That You Shouldn’t Put Off

Published April 3, 2017

Issues with homes are bound to pop up no matter how well you care for your home. Some issues are minor, while others can actually make the home be dangerous to be in. It’s not uncommon to procrastinate on certain repairs, but others definitely need to be dealt with sooner rather than later, including the following.

FHA-Backed HECM Reverse Mortgages 101

Published March 31, 2017

Imagine being mortgage-free or having access to tax-free money that can be used to cover any one of life’s major expenses? For eligible American homeowners aged 62 years or older, this can be a reality thanks to Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM’s). Backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), these reverse mortgage programs enable seniors to take out some of the equity in their homes and even choose how they withdraw the money.