Do you know what to do when a disaster strikes? Do your children? By creating and practicing an emergency safety plan, you can protect your family when natural disasters happen. Wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes each require special preparations, including emergency kits with food, water, first aid, medicines and blankets. Fires. The National Fire Protection […]
Great Britain’s Tudor reign spanned 1485 and 1603 and was unprecedented in terms of prosperity. International trade led to a great expansion in free-thinking and in – home design concepts, including new ideas like the decorative indoor fireplace with a mantle, hand-made rugs from the Orient as table coverings, and built-in cabinets and seating. Tudor […]
According to the National Taxpayers Union, between 30% and 60% of taxable property in the United States is over-assessed, yet less than 5% of homeowners appeal their assessments. Your2020 tax assessment will outline county, city and school taxes, as well as special assessments. Look online or call the assessor’s office for a list of factors […]
All housing reflects the culture and the economics of their day, and the ranch-style home of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s is a symbol of post-World War II prosperity and an icon of the space age. The mid-century saw the first real sprawl in communities away from town centers, made accessible by the increasingly affordable […]
Did you know that the holidays are among the best times of the year to buy a home? Put a giftwrapped set of housekeys under your Christmas tree and ring in the new year with a new abode you’ll love. Here are a few reasons why now is the time. Home prices aren’t going down. […]
With warmer weather across the country, it’s taking longer for trees to drop their leaves, so you may find yourself doing a lot of raking in late October and early November. But after the work is finished, you have to bag the leaves and let them sit on your curb for collection. Or, you can […]
In a survey released this year, the National Association of REALTORS found that 83% of buyers’ agents said that staging helps homebuyers visualize themselves living in the home and influences them enough to make higher offers. Sellers’ agents report that homes sell faster and for more money. Over half said that staging sells a home […]
Cabinets set the style for any kitchen, and with advances in functionality as well as beauty, your new cabinets should transform your food prep workspace. According to Consumer Reports, new cabinets account for about 40% of an overall kitchen remodel budget, so it’s important to get the look and features you want. The most popular […]
Spooky houses look like they haven’t seen a living occupant, gardener or handyman in years. Many so-called haunted houses are so dilapidated they look occupied by ghosts, or they’ve been on the market so long, buyers suspect there’s a skeleton hidden in the closet. But that house for sale that gives you the creeps may […]
If you’re a seller refreshing your home for resale or an investor selling a remodeled home, you should know that some updates won’t impress today’s homebuyers. Inexpensive updates in lieu of the more durable and sustainable materials that buyers prefer may scare buyers into wondering where else you cut costs. Single coat paint – Single coats […]
You’re ready to make an offer on a home. You’ve got the seller’s disclosure of material (physical and environmental) defects, but is that all the information you need to move forward? Before you sign your purchase offer, do a little quick research. Get a loss history report. The Insurance Information Institute advises homebuyers to obtain a loss history […]
Congratulations, new homeowner! You’ve overcome the biggest hurdle – buying your first home – and now it’s time to switch your attention to maintaining and protecting your investment. Your electrical, water, gas and A/C systems may be working fine for now, but sooner or later, you can expect a major repair or replacement expense. All […]
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently revised its condominium loan policies to allow consumers greater access to mortgage loans that are federally guaranteed through the Federal Housing Administration(FHA). After Oct. 15, 2019, as many as 60,000 additional condo units will meet FHA-certification, making them eligible for buyers to purchase with an FHA loan. The new guidelines […]
From the historic homes of North Carolina, to the Victorian-Edwardian “Painted Ladies” of San Francisco, CA, to the Gilded Age homes of Swiss Avenue in Dallas, TX, historically designated homes are beautiful and charming, but you should consider a few things before you buy one. Historically designated homes are overseen by city preservation associations and/or homeowner’s […]
How far from the dining room table should your chandelier hang? How tall should your kitchen countertops be? You’ll have to measure, so that your selections work for your family’s needs and are in proportion to everything else in the room. Chandeliers – According to The Spruce, you should “add the dimensions of the room […]
This post is by guest author Rachael Baihn, lawnstarter.com. A house in North Carolina is a hot commodity these days. Home prices are up more than 7% this year, and experts predict those final sales will keep rising. Even though it’s a seller’s market, don’t expect buyers with the perfect offer to just show up […]
There are some easy ways to remember how to handle your money so that you can become a homeowner, prosper as a homeowner, and ultimately, sell your home at a profit. The 50/20/30 rule. Your spending can be divided into three categories – Needs, Wants, and Savings. Allocate 50% of your after-tax income for needs […]
BHHS Great Smokys Realty stays involved…River Cleanup – Community Service – July 4th Patriotism! In recent weeks we had fantastic opportunities to give where we live: Cleanup on the Tuckasegee River | The day started off nice and cool but man did it warm up fast!! And oh the things we cleaned up from the […]
Moving from one end of town to another, or across the country, can be as challenging for your pets as for the rest of the family. Preparation and patience can help your dog, rabbit, bird or cat adjust more easily to its new home. Tell your veterinarian. Your pet’s medical records and microchip data can […]
While any time is a great time to buy or sell a home, knowing whether market conditions favor buyers or sellers will help you to improve your own position and to navigate your transaction more easily. A seller’s market takes place when financial conditions are positive. New employers are coming to town, there are plenty […]
