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More than one seller has been surprised to find that their favorite chandelier is not theirs to take when they move. First-time home sellers might be especially confused when confronted with an exclusion form presented by their agent, but understanding what is, and is not included in the sale by statute is important to avoid disappointment on both sides.

The first rule of thumb is to consider if the item is nailed down, bolted, mounted, or planted. This covers a wide range of items both inside and outside the home. This might seem simple enough, but the debate about what constitutes a “fixture” has caused many post-sales lawsuits. Fixtures will stay with the home unless specifically excluded. This includes light fixtures, shelves, cabinets,

Your home does not need to be in a designated flood zone to be affected by water intrusion and damage. The process to repair and retrofit water damage costs homeowners millions of dollars each year. Regardless of the location of the home, simple checks and changes can help protect your property from flood and water damage before the storm comes.

• Research – It’s time to become a water detective. Look for dangers in and around the home. Check drainage and look for water sources that could overflow, such as a nearby stream. Check with your local authorities also for floodplain plans and tips.

• Know your Resources – Review and understand your homeowner’s insurance to make sure you have adequate coverage. The National Flood Insurance Program will

It was only a matter of time until home designers looked to the 1980s for inspiration. Showrooms are looking more like a TV set of the Golden Girls rather than the bland, gray-toned backdrops of the past few years. Color, shapes, and playfulness are making a comeback. Bringing rooms back to life is the theme for this design trend.

What’s New?

• Round Shapes – Gone are the sharp edges and squared-off furniture. Round tables, sofas, and chairs are making an entrance this year.

• Lower Furniture – Just like its mid-Century modern cousins, 80’s furniture was lower to the ground than contemporary styles.

• Color – 1980s seafoam green and peach have morphed into teal and mauve this season and taking center stage in home décor.

• Rattan –

An unexpected byproduct of the pandemic has been a booming housing market. As Covid-19 hit the country, the housing supply was already low, and the lockdown depressed the volume even more.

As more homebuyers began looking for new homes, fueled by the ability to work-from-home and low interest rates, sellers have been experiencing a strong seller’s market. As we end 2021, however, signs may start to point to a market slowdown. Interest rates are starting to rise, and the higher home prices have discouraged potential buyers from purchasing.

So, what does this mean for a seller this fall and winter? Amidst concern over the slowing market, sellers already in the market or considering listing their home should plan for a potential slowdown.

No one

First-time homebuyers are struggling to find affordable housing. Unlike recent years when inventory was high and finding a great home was easier, now buyers are faced with either postponing homeownership or making compromises. It may feel hard to compromise, but it’s important to remember that this is your first home, not your dream home.

If you are faced with making decisions about what to give up when buying a home, here are 3 compromises that make sense, and 6 things not to.

3 Compromises

1. Yard Size – Outdoor space is wonderful, but if price is an issue, find a home close to a park or other common area.

2. Turnkey Design – Paint, fading carpet and other cosmetic issues can be addressed over time.

3. Extra Living Space – Consider

Owning a home may feel like a never-ending list of to-dos. It can feel like all you do is clean and maintain your house and yard. There is a lot of truth to this, but homeownership is one of the best ways to increase wealth, so maintaining your investment is critical to your financial well-being.

Surprisingly, the roof is one of the most overlooked maintenance items of the home. Set above normally eye level, often the first sign of a problem with the roof is a major leak. Before this happens to you, take a proactive look at these signs it’s time to replace your roof and avoid more expensive damage later.

• Check accessible areas for signs of water damage, such as the attic. Additionally, look for evidence of gaps by noticing if there is daylight

Buying a home is a process. Once a buyer writes an offer and has it accepted, the listing is placed in a state called “pending sale.” During this stage, the principals involved perform all the elements of the contract, and once complete, the title is transferred to the new owner.

Sounds simple, but this stage can become incredibly stressful if the contract milestones are not met on time, or if problems are uncovered. Typically, a home sale outlines the term for escrow of 30-60 days. During this time, inspections are completed and reviewed, the appraisal is ordered, and final loan approval is obtained. If there are no delays, the escrow will close on time and the buyer gets the keys to their new home.

Unfortunately, there are often delays in this

Tight labor markets are affecting industries across the country. Skilled and unskilled jobs remain unfilled as employers struggle to find prospective employees. For anyone ready to hire a contractor or handyman to perform home improvement projects, this shortage is causing frustration. As more people embrace the “staycation” and seek ways to upgrade their homes, many are finding few tradesmen to even come to provide estimates, much less schedule the work.

If you are trying to find good people to help with home improvement projects, there are still a few ways to achieve your goals. Here are a few tips to help you find a professional to help with your project.

• Social Media – One great way to find reputable laborers is to ask for help from local

One of the first things most potential home sellers do is view their home with a critical eye to determine what, if any, changes or renovations they should make before listing. Buyers love a turn-key home and often a few simple changes can mean thousands of dollars in profit for the seller.

Currently, these sellers are finding it very difficult to find contractors and tradesmen to help make these changes. Most of the country is experiencing a labor shortage and this has made finding help for home projects extremely difficult.

Pre-listing renovation companies have emerged to fill this void in skilled labor. Working with real estate agents to identify the right kind of renovations, these companies will perform the work before the home is listed

Tune in to the radio or watch TV in the evening and you’ll be bombarded with commercials offering incredibly low interest rates to refinance your home. These rates may sound enticing, and you may be wondering if it’s time to refinance your home loan. While refinancing can make financial sense in some situations, not everyone will benefit.

Most people consider refinancing to lower their interest rate. Even a slight change in the interest rate may add up to significant dollars over the life of the loan. When evaluating the new loan, remember to add in any additional costs. Ask if you will be responsible for closing costs or appraisal costs before jumping at a lower rate. The length of the loan is also important to review. Are you restarting the clock