Category Archives: Property

When is it a Good Time to Buy New Windows for your Home?

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Recently we featured a blog that talked about how important your roof is to the health of your home. Today’s blog is similar except that, rather than the roof, where going to be talking about another part of your home that is almost as vitally important; the windows. (And if you’re listening Google, no, we’re not talking about a Microsoft product.) The simple, unavoidable fact is that years of  use and wear  can destroy even the best windows and the only way to deal with this problem, in most cases, is to replace them.

Replacing all of the windows in your home is probably going to be an even bigger cost than replacing the roof but, if it’s necessary, it should be done no matter the investment cost.…

DIY Projects for Improving Your Home

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With low interest rates, and the lowest inventory of homes for sale in years, it’s no wonder that the housing market is starting to rebound…at least in terms of home values.  When I first purchased my home over 2 years ago I was beginning to worry because every sale seemed to be the result of a foreclosure or bank owned property.  This past summer has shown am amazing bounce back in pricing as owner occupied homes are once again being snatched up.  So as I ponder the idea of selling my home over the next few years, I am left questioning of what home improvement projects I should be undertaking, if any.  After all, you often only get a fraction on the return from your investment, and depending on the project you may not see much of a return at all.  If you are considering selling in the next five years or so, here are some DIY projects that you can enjoy in the meantime, and get a good return on when you sell.…

Home Values Going…Going…Gone

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The start of 2012 has been encouraging.  The market is about to reach pre-crisis levels, the unemployment rate has dropped a bit, (not nearly enough yet), and overall consumer sentiment has risen which can help increase spending.  So what’s the problem? Home values are still in the toilet.

Home prices are the lowest they have been since the crisis began.  The S&P Case-Schiller Index, which is a key gauge of home prices, fell 1.1% from November to December.  Low home values prevent people from being able to refinance.  Refinancing a mortgage is a great way to save hundreds of dollars a month.…