Hear what title pros say to do — and not do — before closing on a house. Ever notice that when you’re unprepared, it heats up stressful situations? Take the preclosing stage of the home-buying process. You may keep thinking about the money at stake, while forms, disclosures, and reports fly at you. It’s enough to overwhelm anyone. Anyone who isn’t well prepared, that … [Read more...]
How to Pick Paint Colors to Fix Any Room’s Quirks
Paint colors can do a ton to fix a room's flaws for not much money Every home suffers a few negatives, but not every solution requires pricey structural changes. Paint is a frugal remodeler's go-to solution to perk up a problem room. Here's how to pick paint colors to give any room a facelift: Choosing Paint for a Room That's Too Small Painting walls … [Read more...]
Replacing Rain Gutters and Downspouts
Replace missing gutters and downspouts to prevent serious siding and foundation damage that may cost you $10,000 or more to repair. Your home may be your castle, but if you’re missing downspouts and sections of gutter, you’ll certainly have a moat where daisies once flourished. Excess water near your foundation risks thousands of dollars in foundation repairs. The good news … [Read more...]
7 Time-Sucking Remodeling Mistakes You’ll Wish You Could Erase
It may see counterintuitive, but a rigid schedule can really mess things up. One of the things that drives up remodeling costs (and frustration levels!) are delays. And these delays are often caused by ignorance on the homeowner’s part. It’s that old axiom: You don’t know what you don’t know. Until now. Here’s a list of time-sucking mistakes homeowners often make … [Read more...]
8 Simple Rules for Negotiating Your Offer and Getting That House
You and your agent are going to use everything you’ve learned to seal the deal. Here’s the dream: Your offer is perfect, you don’t need to negotiate, and you can spend the next few weeks addressing more pressing home-ownership questions, like “Why is it called wainscoting?” and “Do I want a new couch in blush or emerald green?” And it could happen. Many sellers accept the … [Read more...]
