First-time Buyers Increase,
Home Sales Climb Nationwide
 First-time buyers represented 32 percent of the market in May, a 2 percent increase from April and a 5 percent increase from a year ago. First-time buyers haven't had this much of a presence in the housing market since September 2012. Unemployment is down among young adults, and many lenders are lowering their down payment requirements. These factors combined with more affordable mortgage insurance options are enticing many first-time buyers to leave their rentals... Read More
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Remedy These Curb Appeal Mistakes Before Listing Your Home
 When you put your house on the market, your home's curb appeal will often make or break a sale before potential buyers even step through the front door. Here are five common curb appeal mistakes you should change before listing your home for sale.
1. Poor Yard Maintenance
If your yard is overgrown, potential buyers will wonder what else you have neglected to maintain. Dying flowerbeds or unkept shrubs and trees... Read More |
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Understanding the Earnest Money Deposit
An earnest money deposit is a check that's handed over with an offer to purchase a home. It's a "good faith" deposit, showing that the buyer is serious about buying a home and is ready to move forward with the purchase.
There's no set amount for an earnest money deposit. It can range from $100 to 10 percent of the sales price, though, traditionally, it's about 1 or 2 percent of the purchase price—enough to show that the buyer... Read More
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How to Conserve Water in Every Area of Your Home
 In the summertime, household water use spikes. The bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and garden are all areas where water is often wasted. Here are some tips that will help you conserve water and also reduce your water bill.
The Bathroom
The shower, toilet, and sink can be huge water wasters.
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Wash your hands using cold water instead of hot water.
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Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.
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Install a faucet aerator.
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Invest in an efficient low-flow toilet.
The Kitchen
In the kitchen, washing... Read More
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Light Up Your Landscaping
Like a Pro
 According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), proper outdoor lighting is just as essential for a beautiful landscape as are a lush lawn, bright flowerbeds and manicured shrubs. Jeff Dross, corporate director of lighting education and industry trends for Kichler Lighting, recently explained that homeowners are opening up to new ideas with landscape lighting.
Use Indirect Light
Dross says homeowners have begun to shift toward indirect light for their landscaping, which... Read More |
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