Posts made by author 'Courtney Edgar'

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...

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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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. Tweak hardware with sleeker details. Another simple...

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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...

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Winter may not be the most popular time of year to buy or sell real estate, but it offers unique advantages for both parties. Viewing homes this time of year can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. However, with the season comes some nuances to open houses you ought to know in advance. Here are tips to help you prepare for attending an open house while shopping for property in late winter. 

General Winter Etiquette

This might sound obvious, but do be sure to wipe your boots or remove them when entering the property. If there are mats laid, use them, and be mindful to respect the floors. Not only will your boots have snow and ice on them, but sometimes salt. You wouldn't want to scuff or damage the...

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Buying a first home is a big milestone. If you have plans to purchase property in 2026, it's wise to start your financial planning early. Boosting your credit and saving for down payments and closing costs should typically start right away.

Hopefully, you may have started at least a few months ago. But if you haven't, don't worry. You could start now and spend the year preparing to purchase nearer the end of the year if you want to get your finances more in shape.

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