Nothing is more stressful than shopping for a mortgage and realizing your credit score isn’t what you expected. Worse still is finding that your identity has been stolen and there are fraudulent accounts or activity on your report. Recovering from identity theft can be time-consuming – you might lose your dream home if the seller cannot wait for

Most of the country is experiencing a very tight real estate market. Inventory levels are historically low, perhaps owing to the concern of strangers traipsing through the home during this time. Additionally, because most people are staying home, they have been able to focus on their property and how it fits into their lifestyle, emphasizing the need to right-size their environment. 

With properly-priced homes moving quickly off the market, homebuyers are frustrated. For those who can be flexible

Sleek, white kitchens are one of the most popular trends in interior design. Bright and cheery white tiles, sinks, cabinets and even appliances are replacing the dark and heavy wood and granite of the past couple decades. White or off-white makes kitchen spaces seem large and airy, creating a sense of tranquility and freshness. 

However, white cabinets and surfaces are less forgiving than their dark counterparts and need to be carefully

Finding the right home can sometimes feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Unless you’re buying brand-new construction, every home has some drawbacks, whether it’s style or real maintenance issues. If you’re looking for your

With major employers now stating that their employees will be working from home for the foreseeable future, many homebuyers have adjusted their list of desirables in their next home. Some not only need to plan for a home office space, but also need to accommodate the homeschooling or distance learning needs of their children as well. 

This is impacting the way homes are marketed and the type of features that have become important to buyers at all

Homebuyers are always looking for that special bargain. The old saying, “buy the worst home on the best street,” insinuates that buying a “fixer-upper” home can be a great investment. While it’s always important to get the most for your money, what about distressed properties? Are they really the best value? 

Before you decide to buy, it’s important to understand what is considered a distressed property. While a distressed

Whether you call it rightsizing or downsizing, the bottom line is you’re moving into a smaller space and have no idea what to do with all the stuff you’ve collected over the years. Many people consider moving from a larger home to a smaller home at some point in their lives. Often this move is made after the childrearing years, when homeowners no longer need the extra bedrooms or living space, and want less home to worry about (or to clean!). The problem is that they have accumulated items to fill the space that they aren’t ready to part with, yet all their stuff won’t fit in a smaller

It seems almost everything is connected these days. Want to check the temperature of your oven from outside? See how much milk you have in the refrigerator from the market? It’s possible! You can now control almost every aspect of your home from your smartphone. Yet with all this connectivity, you need a powerful internet network. If you’ve suddenly realized you have “dead spaces,” then it might be time to consider a mesh network.

A basic wifi network relies on the antennae of the router to reach all the connected devices. A mesh network uses a

If you love your neighborhood but need more space, you might consider an addition to your home. If expanding on the first floor is not an option, then adding a second floor might be an option. Unlike ground-level expansions, adding a second floor is more complicated—before you embark on this kind of project, there are some elements you should consider first:

• Cost – You already know that adding square footage will not be cheap, but adding a second story comes with additional costs. You will need to consult a structural engineer and plans should be drawn up by an architect. You’ll also need to add at least one staircase. You might need to relocate HVAC, ducting, and any other items housed in the current attic space.
• Construction – Living on premises through this kind of addition is different from adding space on the first floor. Utilities will need to be turned off and the roof removed. You will need to provide protection for any household items and most likely move out during the process.
• Space Restrictions – The amount of space you can add to a second story is limited by structural concerns. This means that depending on current construction, you might be limited in the amount of space you can add. Make sure the new space will be worth the cost and hassle for your needs.
• Moving Instead – While you might want to stay in your current location, moving might be a better option. It could be worth investigating other options before starting this kind of major construction project. 

Adding a second story is not as easy as it sounds. If you love your neighborhood, street, school…it might be worth the cost and effort. Before starting, make sure you understand everything involved, so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

The popularity of home improvement television shows has increased the number of home projects. Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of knocking down walls and retiling their kitchen on their own. If you’re one of these non-DIY-ers, you will need to find service professionals to help, but choosing the right person for the job is critical. Here are a few