Posts made by author 'Courtney Edgar'
21
Spring Gardening Tips for Maximum Value
One of the most important aspects to enhancing your property's value as you prepare to sell is curb appeal. Some studies suggest that a beautiful front yard can increase the home's selling price by up to 20 percent. The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) says that you can see a 100 percent return on investment when you spend 10 percent of the value on greenscaping.
That means if you're focused on making the most with your sale, effective landscaping and gardening are a must, especially from the front curb.
Here are six expert tips on...
24
Apps and Digital Resources for Home Buyers
As we use our phones more and more in our daily lives, it's not surprising how mobile phone apps and digital resources are becoming essential parts of the homebuying process.
An American study found that over 75 percent of all home buyers used a mobile device to find their home.
While trusted real estate agents are always the best resources to help you find specific and holistic information about the market, buying process, and your community, some of these apps and digital resources can be useful tools to help support you as you consider your next home purchase.
Getting Started on Your Real Estate Journey
3
Can You Be Denied a Mortgage After Pre-Approval?
If you're new to buying property, navigating a mortgage can be a bit of a learning curve. Often, potential new homeowners on the market for their first property will wonder about the specifics of a pre-approval. And they may wonder, is it possible for their pre-approval to turn into a rejection at the time of the offer?
The short answer is yes. You can be denied a mortgage even after a pre-approval. But that isn't something to fear if you know how to avoid it from happening to you. While a pre-approval is a preliminary assessment, it is not a final loan guarantee, and the circumstances that contributed to the approval can shift and turn it into a denial if you're not careful. It can easily be revoked...
2
9 Affordable Ways to Update your Kitchen
If you're dreaming of a kitchen makeover but you're on a budget, there are ways to upgrade without breaking the bank. With the right planning, materials, and some creativity, you can update your kitchen to something beautiful and fresh without spending too much.
- Painting walls and cabinets in modern shades. One of the most affordable ways to easily upgrade your kitchen is to focus on painting the walls in light, airy, and neutral shades. The same is true of cabinets. When you turn them either white, sage, or navy, it can provide a fresh aesthetic that opens up the space or lends a more sophisticated look.
- Tweak hardware with sleeker details. Another simple...
26
Budgeting for Your First Year of Homeownership
Purchasing a new home is a milestone worth celebrating. It comes with so many great benefits and a lot to get excited about. Still, there are some challenges to the process to keep in mind.
One major aspect to prepare for and consider as you move into first-time home ownership is managing your finances and planning for additional costs that may not always be obvious.
Here are some things to remember to budget for in your first year of homeownership.
One–Time and Initial Costs
There are some additional costs that come with buying a new property and moving in. One such category is your closing costs. You should also remember to include the one-time moving f...