WELCOME HOME!

Here's a look into valuable info, tips, and advice for home buyers and sellers.


Did you know that you can borrow money to buy a home from yourself if you have a 401k plan? Getting a 401k loan is one way to get additional money toward a down payment.  It’s a lump sum of money that is already yours — not the bank’s, not mom and dad’s, and not […]

Should You Use 401k Money for a Down Payment?

Staging is more popular than ever when it comes to selling a home. But, you might wonder if it’s really worth the inconvenience and upfront costs for you, especially in a seller’s market. Even with a well-maintained (and well-decorated!) home, staging can increase the price you end up getting for your home and decrease the […]

Two Thumbs Up for Staging Your Home

Anything you think is in your way can be removed if you really want to become a homeowner.  In fact, you’ll find out that some commonly perceived roadblocks are only myths, and don’t need to delay your dreams anymore. This week you will see that continuing to rent isn’t always the safe or better decision, […]

Renting vs. Buying – Your Break-Even Point Is Sooner Than You Think

The wear and tear on your home from the outside elements each season is something you should never ignore as a homeowner.  Wind, snow, ice, rain, and sun can cause damage over a period of time if left unchecked. Whether you’re living in a single-family home or a townhome, you need to schedule regular maintenance […]

When to Catch Up on Your Home’s Exterior Maintenance

Buying a home takes a lot of preparation and planning. It’s important to get your finances in order and other tasks done before you even start house hunting! Keep in mind that this early stage of the buying process doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time on your part even before we start working together. That […]

Prep Now to Buy a Home Later This Year

Sometimes you have no choice on when you need to sell your home — a job transfer, you saw another home you really want to buy, or you have an unexpected life change.   Selling in the “off season” — such as summer — isn’t ideal but it can be done, and it’s imperative it’s done […]

You CAN Sell Your Home Over the Summer

Whether you’re a meticulous vacation planner or more carefree, you don’t want to be laissez-faire when leaving your home. No one wants to be in the middle of enjoying a day at the beach and then feel something is amiss at home. That’s why the pre-vacation prep of your home is a necessary step in […]

Vacation Must-Do’s To Keep Your Home Safe and Secure

Anything you think is in your way can be removed if you want to become a homeowner. In fact, you’ll find out that some commonly perceived roadblocks are only myths and don’t need to delay your dreams anymore. If you are hesitant about moving forward, this 5-week series is just for you — The 5 […]

Don’t Let Your Credit Score Stop You from Buying a Home

Can your home and yard handle the summertime heat and humidity? Don’t neglect certain tasks that will protect your home and let you fully enjoy it when summer is here. Keep It Cool Even if it’s hot outside and you want to keep it cool inside. Get your A/C system serviced professionally. Get your A/C […]

Summertime To-Do’s for Your Home and Yard

Anything you think is in your way can be removed if you want to become a homeowner. In fact, you’ll find out that some commonly perceived roadblocks are only myths and don’t need to delay your dreams anymore. If you are hesitant about moving forward, this 5-week series is just for you — The 5 […]

How to Find Money for Your Down Payment — Even When You Don’t Have Much Savings

Now more than ever we need our homes to be a sanctuary, a place where we can feel safe and find joy. My 4-week series, How to Create a Happy and Healthy Home Inside and Out, will help you do just that! And most importantly, you will learn what steps you can take to improve […]

Inspiring Ideas for a More User-Friendly and Functional Home

Now more than ever we need our homes to be a sanctuary, a place where we can feel safe and find joy. My 4-week series, How to Create a Happy and Healthy Home Inside and Out, will help you do just that! And most importantly, you will learn what steps you can take to improve […]

Creating a Welcoming Home — Curb Appeal for Homeowners

Anything you think is in your way can be removed if you really want to be a homeowner. In fact, you’ll find out that some commonly perceived roadblocks are only myths, and you don’t need to delay your dreams anymore. If you are hesitant about moving forward, my new 5-week series is just for you […]

How to Buy a Home Even with Student Loan Debt

Has the idea of having a home of your own become more important to you? It’s totally understandable that you reach a point where you don’t want to rent anymore or you want a home that better reflects your needs and wants. When you purchase a house, a condo or a townhome, you are not […]

The 5 Most Common Home-Buying Myths BUSTED

Now more than ever we need our homes to be a sanctuary, a place where we can feel safe and find joy. My 4-week series, How to Create a Happy and Healthy Home Inside and Out, will help you do just that! And most importantly, you will learn what steps you can take to improve […]

Easy Ways to Refresh and Clean Your Home

You’re in the market to buy a home and up pops “title insurance” in the buying process. Are you stumped and not sure exactly why you need to get it? Here’s a Q&A that should clear up any uncertainty. What is Title Insurance? Why is this important? The home you want to purchase may have […]

What the Heck Is Title Insurance (and why do I have to pay for it when I buy a home)?

Now more than ever we need our homes to be a sanctuary, a place where we can feel safe and find joy. My 4-week series, How to Create a Happy and Healthy Home Inside and Out, will help you do just that! And most importantly, you will learn what steps you can take to improve […]

Inspiring Ideas for a More User-Friendly and Functional Home

You love hanging out with certain friends or have the perfect roommate in your current rental. You’ve got a great relationship with one of your siblings who lives nearby. You and your partner have been together for years and want something more permanent. Should you buy a home with them? It’s not uncommon for family […]

Buying a Home with Others

Selling your home can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. You need smart, straightforward strategies that will help you maximize your profits, maintain control, and reduce the stress that comes with this process.  Although the exact strategy depends on a seller’s particular goals and timing, which I can discuss with each of you individually, here […]

6 Little-Known Strategies That Help Get Your Home Sold For The Most Money Possible

No home sale is ever final until you get to settlement. That is a fact and explains why real estate signs say “Contract Pending” before being replaced with “Sold.” There’s a lot that goes on after a buyer’s offer is accepted by the seller. And a key factor in getting to closing day is the […]

How An Appraisal Can Make or Break a Sale

Now more than ever we need our homes to be a sanctuary, a place where we can feel safe and find joy. My 4-week series, How to Create a Happy and Healthy Home Inside and Out, will help you do just that! And most importantly, you will learn what steps you can take to improve […]

Make Your Home Healthier with Simple Changes

Now more than ever we need our homes to be a sanctuary, a place where we can feel safe and find joy. The goal of this 4-week series is to help you create a home that better suits you and your family. And most importantly, you will learn what steps you can take to improve […]

How to Create a Happy and Healthy Home

If you are looking for a home anytime between Thanksgiving and end of January, the housing inventory takes a deep dive.   With hardly any homes on the market, you might be wondering what are the best strategies to find a home if you need to or want to move during this time of year.  […]

Why are There No Homes on the Market?

If you or anyone you know has been wanting to buy a home but sat it out last year because of interest rate increases, lack of inventory, or life got in the way some other way, this could be the year. Even though interest rates increased a few points last year, they have come down […]

Is 2024 The Year to Buy A Home?

How to Get the Best Mortgage Series  – Week 1 Follow this series to learn how to get the best mortgage for your specific financial situation and goals.  You’ll see what steps you need to take throughout this process to make it productive and successful! This week’s article is all about what to say when […]

What to Say When You First Contact a Lender

How to Get Your Credit Score Up — Week 4 This series shines a light on the importance of your credit score when buying a home. Most buyers need to take out a mortgage, and that’s when your finances become an open book. Lenders will need to gauge if you’re worth the risk to lend […]

The 10 “Credit Score” Commandments 

The Backward (but much more sensible ) Way to Finance Your First Home In this 8-part series, How to Find the Perfect Home for You and Your Budget, you’ll learn how to find a home that fits your lifestyle, needs and, most importantly, your budget. It takes you through every single step and shows you […]

The Backward (but much more sensible) Way to Finance Your First Home

In this 8-part series, How to Find the Perfect Home for You and Your Budget, you’ll learn how to find a home that is the right fit for your lifestyle, needs and, most importantly, your budget. It takes you through every single step and shows you how to avoid buyer’s remorse.  Your first home is […]

Are You a House” or a Location” Person?

Have you ever heard of radon?  Well, it’s kind of a big deal.   It’s an odorless, colorless gas and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.  It can get trapped in our homes and be at such high levels that it can affect your health. And, you wouldn’t ever […]

Has Your Home Been Treated for Radon?

First impressions from the get-go are very important when it comes to selling your home. But you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get your home ready. There are many easy and inexpensive ways to make your home look its best and show well to potential buyers.  If you plan to move anytime […]

Easy Fix-Ups to Make Your Home Shine

Once you’re under contract to buy a home, you want the final stages of the mortgage process to go smoothly – you don’t want anything to sidetrack the sale from here on out! Nothing is a done deal yet even when you’re under contract. Both your future home’s appraisal and your ability to lock in […]

What You MUST Do When You Go Under Contract

You’re ready to sell your home, but how do you know if potential buyers will love it or not? In real estate we call it the “sale-ability” factor of a home.  This comes into play when you compare your home to others that have sold recently in your neighborhood and how you should price your […]

Love Selling Your Home Series: Is Your Home Sellable?

Having a yard for the first time can be exciting. You’ve got this extra living space to use for gathering with friends and family, or just hanging out and relaxing outside in the fresh air. But before you start thinking of buying that fire pit and inviting friends over, review my tips below about buying […]

Tips on Buying a Home with a Yard

You love your neighborhood and everything about where you live, but you wish you could make some changes to your home.  You’re not alone with this thinking. But many homeowners don’t move forward since they believe that financing and lack of cash is a roadblock for them when it comes to renovating their current home. […]

Four Ways to Finance Your Home Renovation

You can feel the attraction immediately and imagine a picture-perfect life together for many years ahead.  You’ve fallen hard, very hard …. But wait! We’re not talking about your latest date but rather a home you saw while house hunting. Yes, buying a home is like falling in love. You can expect to go through […]

Buying a Home Is Like Falling in Love

This week you’ll learn about a loan that can help you buy a home and renovate it as well. It’s an affordable mortgage option out there that you should know about, especially if you buy a home that you plan on renovating. Maybe you’ve seen a home that you love but it was more fixer-upper […]

Buy AND Renovate with One 203(k) Loan

Our 4-week series is a must for every homeowner. Once you buy a home, it’s now all your responsibility! But are you truly prepared for the unexpected? This series is a great overview on what you need to know when it comes to getting homeowner’s insurance, keeping your home safe and secure, and avoiding costly […]

Quick Tips to Lower Your Homeowner’s Insurance: How to Protect Your Home (and Not Break Your Budget) Series

You’ve probably heard the news…”The Fed cut rates!”  But what does this actually mean and how will it affect you when it comes to buying, selling or refinancing a home? Today’s article gets into all the nitty gritty details and what you need to know about what it means for you.  What It Means When […]

The Fed Cut Rates—What It Means For You

Understanding mortgage loans and interest rates can be confusing and frustrating for many homebuyers. It doesn’t help that most advertised rates are just a marketing ploy to lure you in! In fact, a lender looks at several factors to determine an interest rate based on YOUR specific financial situation, including your credit score, your down-payment […]

The Lowdown on Loans – What Determines Your Mortgage Rate?

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