If you’ve been in your home for a while, it might begin to feel old-fashioned or stale.

Good news: You don’t have to plan a full-scale renovation or spend a lot to give your home a new look and feel. In fact, there are plenty of ways to change your property without a huge investment (of time or money).

Are you ready to give your home a few upgrades this spring — on a strict budget? Here are five simple and affordable projects to consider.

1. Update your hardware. Changing out things like door knobs and kickplates, drawer pulls, faucets, cabinet handles and other hardware can be a great way to spread a sense of newness throughout the house.
2. Repaint or add wallpaper. Adding a new coat of paint can refresh a room — even if it’s just an accent wall. You can also repaint cabinets instead of replacing them, and wallpaper can create visual interest on walls, ceilings and shelving.
3. Revitalize your flooring. You don’t necessarily need to buy new flooring. Instead, work with what you have: Deep-clean carpets, refresh grout between tiles or refinish hardwood floors to give the whole room a refresh.
4. Change your backsplash. You might be surprised at how updating the backsplashes in your kitchen or bathrooms can change the entire space. There are plenty of inexpensive ways to do this project.
5. Switch up your furniture placement. If you’ve had your furniture arranged the same way since you moved in, consider switching the layout (or even swapping pieces between rooms) to create new looks without actually buying anything.

Are you in the market for a new home that better fits your needs? Get in touch today so we can start the search.

Purchasing a home comes with a lot of costs. Not only do you have to prepare for your new mortgage payment, but you’ll also need money upfront for your down payment, earnest money deposit, moving expenses and closing costs.

This can be a huge hurdle for many who dream of owning a home. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help you save more (and faster).

If you’re working on saving up for homebuying costs, here are some tips that can help.

1. Use a high-yield savings account. Don’t just stick your homebuying money in the checking or savings account you’ve had for decades. Shop around to find a high-yield savings account that will allow you to earn more interest and boost your efforts. A certificate of deposit may also be a good option if you have an idea of your timeline.
   
   
2. Reassess your everyday expenses. Streaming services, gym memberships, takeout and more — the costs of these things can add up (and often fall through the cracks). Take a look at your bank and credit card statements, and cancel what you no longer need or use so you can put those savings toward your homebuying goals.
   
   
3. Consider a different loan type or assistance. Several loan options, including USDA and VA loans, require no down payment and can reduce your upfront homebuying costs considerably. We can also see if you’re eligible for a down payment assistance program.
   
   
4. Ask for help from your community. Your friends and family might be willing to give you gift money toward your home costs, or your employer may have a benefit program that could help. You can also start a crowdfunding campaign online to raise money.

Ready to start your house hunt? Get in touch so we can take the first steps toward finding the right home for you.

Homeownership is often said to be the American dream, but with higher interest rates and home prices, it can sometimes be hard to see the benefits — especially when renting means no direct property taxes and no maintenance costs.

When you boil it down, though, owning a home offers huge advantages over renting, particularly if you plan to stay put for a while.

Are you unsure whether buying a home or renting is the best move for your household? Here are some benefits you should think about.

• You’re protected from certain price increases. As a renter, your landlord can increase your rent (and maybe other fees) each lease term. However, if you own a home and have a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly mortgage costs remain the same as long as you stay in the property and don’t refinance — though your utility costs and property taxes can fluctuate.
• You get to build equity. This is the stake in your home you actually own, and as you pay down your loan or your home value increases, you gain more. The more equity you gain, the better off you’ll be once you sell. You can also tap equity to help pay for renovations and other expenses. 
• You have more customization options. Most landlords have pretty strict limitations on what you can do to a property, including painting, gardening and more. When you own the property, you have more choices, though a homeowners association can limit updates as well.
• You may get extra tax write-offs. Homeownership comes with a number of potential tax breaks and deductions, including those for property taxes, mortgage interest and more.

If you think you’re ready for a home purchase, reach out so we can walk through your goals and budget to help you choose the best path forward.

Finding your dream home is exciting, but the closing process can be a stressful time, especially for first-time homebuyers. Being prepared — including having a great real estate agent, loan officer and title agent on your side — can help.

Are you about to embark on your homebuying journey? Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about closing to get you ready for your upcoming home purchase.

Q: What is the difference between earnest money and a down payment?
A: You put earnest money down when you make an offer on a house. It motivates you to follow through on the sale and, if you don’t, the seller gets to keep it (unless there are contingencies). A down payment, on the other hand, is money due at closing. You’ll usually need between 3% and 20% of the home’s price, depending on your loan type.

Q: What should be done before closing day?
A: Closing day is the last step in the homebuying process. Before you get to that point, you should have your appraisal and inspection done, the final walk-through completed and homeowners insurance secured.

Q: What do you need to bring to closing?
A: You’ll need to bring the money for your down payment and closing costs. This is often paid via cashier’s check, but your lender will specify payment type before closing day. You will also need your government ID, reports from your inspector and proof of insurance.

Q: How long does the entire closing process take?
A: The closing process typically takes a couple of hours, though it depends on how prepared all parties involved are. It may take longer in states where an attorney is required.

Are you ready to buy a home? Reach out for help, from the start of the house hunt to your closing-day appointment.

Storage space is critical to a comfortable and clean living experience. And while some homes come with ample storage areas, it’s probably more likely that you lack it.

Fortunately, a little creativity can go a long way. If your property doesn’t present a lot of opportunities to store your belongings, you still have options.

Use these clever strategies to help create more storage in each part of the house.

Living Area
In living rooms, you can use a coffee table, ottoman or end table that has built-in cabinetry or drawers. Floating wall shelves can help, too, since they can create a floating console table of sorts — without taking up valuable floor space.

Bedroom
Consider purchasing a bedframe with underside drawers, or take it further and opt for a Murphy bed that stows away in the wall when you’re not using it. You could also add shelving for books, decor or even clothes and shoes.

Kitchen
Installing shelves or cabinets in an island can be a great way to add extra storage without expanding outward. A hanging pot rack can also save space in a small area, as can storage hooks on the insides of your cabinet doors.

Bathroom
Need a way to organize bathroom items? Use an over-the-door rack to store toiletries and makeup, or hang a pegboard up for easy jewelry storage. Mounted hooks are another great option to keep things neat.

Still struggling to fit your belongings into your home? Reach out if you’re on the lookout for a property that offers more storage space.

You may live in the same house you did a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean your insurance policy should remain the same.

Even if your home is relatively unchanged from when you first bought it, there’s a chance your original homeowners policy is out of date, which could mean you’re over- or underinsured.

Here are five scenarios in which you should update your insurance. (Some of them may surprise you.)

Home Renovations: Updating your kitchen or bathroom, adding a new guest suite and other renovations require updating your insurance policy. This will ensure your new features and materials are covered if they get damaged.

Pool Addition: A pool not only changes the value of your home — and how much it costs to repair — but it also increases your liability. You’ll need to update your insurance to reflect that.

Safety and Security: Adding a security system or safety features like a video doorbell, motion-sensor lights or a privacy fence can make your home less prone to break-ins, which could also mean qualifying for insurance discounts.

Getting a Dog: A new pet can add more liability to your household. You should always update your homeowners insurance when adding a dog to the family.

Housing Market Shifts: As your local housing market heats up or cools down, your home’s value may change, and the replacement coverage you need could change with it.

Moving? That’s also a good time to update your homeowners insurance coverage. Get in touch to find a new home or get connected with a local insurance agent.

Selling a home can be a happy time, but it can also be pretty stressful. Not only are there countless moving pieces to keep track of, but you also have many decisions to make — both big and small.

One of those pertains to your furniture: Should you offer to sell it with the home? Or is it better to take it with you? You could also sell or donate it separately from the home sale.

Not sure what’s best for your upcoming move? Here’s what to think about:

• Distance: How far away are you moving? The farther you’re going, the more difficult (and expensive) it may be to move your existing furniture and belongings. Make sure you factor in truck rentals, movers and other costs you’d incur to move something before deciding to take it along for the ride.
• Finances: Selling your furniture (or offering to include it in your home sale) could give you extra cash to put toward moving or other expenses. If the extra money is worth more to you than the furniture, selling might be the right choice.
• Fit: Will your current furnishings fit in your new home? Think about the layout and room measurements to make sure your existing furniture suits the new place.
• Need: Does your furniture still serve your needs as a household? Older bed frames and other pieces may no longer be the size, design or style your family needs now.
• Marketability: Including furniture in the deal might help with your home’s marketing, especially for potential buyers who are moving from far away or buying their first home. Staging can help with this, too.

Are you eyeing a move this year? Get in touch to get started.

Universal design is an approach to home design that allows people of all ages and abilities to use the space, making it easier and more comfortable for everyone.

If you want to work universal design into your home, here’s what you need to know.

What is universal design?
The goal of universal design is to create a home that’s functional, accessible and comfortable for people of any age or physical condition. It’s an approach that prioritizes inclusiveness, ensuring that anyone who lives at or visits your home can move about and use the home without extra adaptations.

Benefits of Universal Design
The biggest benefit of universal design is that it can serve everyone — growing families, older adults, caregivers and more. It also doesn’t require constant updating as your needs change.

In many markets, universal design could also make your home more marketable should you sell it later on. It may even translate to a higher selling price.

How to Incorporate Universal Design
You don’t necessarily need to do a full renovation to achieve aspects of universal design in your home. Some smaller projects you can focus on include:

• Widening doorways and ensuring all entries are zero-step, which makes them easy for anyone with strollers, walkers or wheelchairs.
• Adding pullout shelves and varying countertop heights in kitchens and bathrooms, allowing easy access to all.
• Installing motion-activated lights to improve usability and increase safety.
• Using voice-activated or automatic devices on a timer, like smart security systems, thermostats and blinds or curtains.

Are you interested in buying a home that already has some (or all) of these features? Reach out today for help.

Not every home is a forever home. Sure, you might have fallen in love with your house when you first saw it 10 years ago, but today, it may no longer suit your needs, budget or tastes — and that’s okay.

It’s important to be able to recognize the point at which your current home stops serving you, so you can put your mind (and money) toward a more worthwhile investment.

Have you been considering a move? Here are some signs it may be time.

Your financial situation has changed. If your mortgage payment is too high for your current situation, then a more affordable place is most likely your best path forward. Conversely, if you’ve gotten a raise or have an increased household budget now, you might be able to take on a bigger house with a larger payment.

Your household size has changed. If you’ve added people to your household since moving in (or if a few have left the nest), it might be time to change properties to better suit you. (In the case of downsizing, it could even save you money.)

You don’t want to deal with renovations. While renovations can be a great way to add space or updated features to your existing place, they can also be a hassle. If you don’t want to deal with contractors, construction noise or other home improvement stressors, moving to a new place may be a better option for you.

Your priorities are different. You might simply care about different things than you did when you purchased your home. Maybe you’ve become interested in cooking or baking, so you need a more efficient kitchen space. In cases like this, finding a new home that has the amenities you’re looking for could be the way to go.

Buying large appliances is an expensive undertaking — and so is repairing them. But, with maintenance and upkeep, your appliances can remain in good condition, and you can stave off repairs for as long as possible.

While getting regular checkups from a professional is a great idea, there are also steps you can take to maintain your appliances on your own.

Make sure your large appliances last the long haul with these tips.

• Refrigerator: Regularly clean your fridge’s coils to remove the dust, dirt and grime that builds up, and make sure the areas behind and under the fridge are clean, too. This will improve airflow around it and help it work more efficiently. Don’t forget to clean the seals of your fridge as well, as buildup can keep the doors from closing properly.
• Oven: Use your oven’s self-cleaning function occasionally, in addition to manually cleaning it on a regular basis. Be sure to keep all burners and (if applicable) gas ports clean. Any buildup on these areas can keep your stovetop from functioning.
• Dishwasher: Check the filter of your dishwasher often, and remove any food or dirt you find. This will help it maintain effectiveness when cleaning your dishes and should extend its lifetime.
• Washer: Make sure you’re not overloading your washer, as that can put unnecessary pressure on the motor, belts and other parts of the appliance. You should also clean it regularly, and leave the door open between loads to ward off mildew and mold.
• Dryer: Clean the lint trap after every use, and vacuum out your dryer vent semi-annually. Clogged dryer vents keep your appliance from working efficiently and are also a serious fire hazard.

The better you care for your appliances, the longer they’ll last. The same is true for the rest of your home.

Get in touch if you’re looking for a new place or a reference to a home services professional.