Real Estate Tips

Whether you are staging your home in preparation to sell, or just trying to improve the space for your overnight guests, these decorating tips can elevate your spare room to a luxurious escape.  

 Swap out your hanging hand towel for an array of smaller towels

Add a scented candle or fragrance diffuser 

Have a nightstand and bedside light 

Provide some extra toiletries 

Include a bouquet of fresh flowers

  These simple tips will effortlessly transform the room and will make your guests feel like they are vacationing at The Ritz!

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging your environment to attract peace and harmony. The feng shui principles of your home are based on the balance of the five elements, (wood, fire, water, earth, and metal), as well as the direction your home faces (south, east, north, and west.) The front door is considered to be the most importance aspect of your home's feng shui, as it determines the quality of energy entering your home. The most auspicious color of your door is based on the direction your home is facing. Whether you are selling your home or are just ready for a new paint job, whip out your compass and check out these colors for good fortune:  

East Facing Door 

The feng shui element of the east is wood. If you have an east facing door you should gravitate towards earthy tones like green or brown.  

South Facing Door

The feng shui element of the south is fire. …

Congratulations, it is time to purchase your first home! While this experience is exciting, it can also be intimidating. To make your home buying adventure as easy and memorable as possible, our HomesIn real estate team has compiled all the words you need to know. Here is your Home Buying Cheat Sheet: Real Estate Agent / Real Estate Broker / Relator: An agent has procured their state licensure and works under the supervision of a brokerage, a broker is an agent with an additional license who can sell homes on their own, and a relator belongs to the National Association of Relators. Offer: This is the deal between the buyer and seller. When working with an agent, you will tell them your offer, and they will communicate that to the home owners. This can also be referred to as a sales contract. Contingent: When a sale offer has been accepted, but is subject to change due to extenuating circumstances. For example, a sale can be contingent upon the completion of a home in…

Whether you are purchasing a new house, flipping a property, or just making some improvements on your current home the kitchen is always a great place to start. Serving as one of the focal points in a home, the design and functionality of the kitchen tends to influence buyers. Unsure what to look for when purchasing a new place? Just trying to spruce up your old spot? Here are the top ten kitchen trends of the year to provide some decor inspiration.

The Statement Floor

Open Shelving

Clever Storage

All White Everything

Emerald Green Cabinets + Accents

Copper Furnishing

Handle-less Cabinets

Stained Wood

Industrial Concrete

Read more

You’ve finally decided it’s time for a change, but before you can make your move a reality, you first need to find the perfect agent to help you make it happen. In an average sized city, there can be up to forty different realty groups that contain anywhere from 10-15 agents each, so out of 130 qualified, smiling faces, how do you even begin to find the perfect one to help sell or buy your house? First, find an agent who deals with sales and transactions within your price range. If you’re buying a $500,000 house, you don’t want an agent who deals with trailers or condos. Make sure they have experience with what you’re looking for in order to minimize the chances of getting taken advantage of by potential home buyers or sellers. Stray away from connections. I know it sounds great to help your sister-in-law or best friend gain commission on your sale, but it is often very helpful to have someone separated from the situation be in charge. Perhaps they have an idea …

With Autumn quickly approaching, Halloween, Pumpkin Pie, and Thanksgiving don’t seem that far out of reach, but while you’re busy focusing on what foods to serve on turkey day, have you ever stopped to think about what to plant in your yard? Ideally, Spring is known as the perfect planting season, but I’m here to tell you that fall foliage is truly where it’s at. Not only does the decrease in temperature create a more comfortable planting environment for the avid gardener, but in September and October, before winter creeps in, the soil is at an ideal tepid temperature that is absolutely perfect for root development! Forget the football games for a day, and spend the next Saturday with shovel and hoe in hand cultivating a beautiful autumn inspired yard. Fall foliage is all about a plant’s ability to thrive and prevail once the winter winds settle in., so perennial vegetables, trees, shrubs, and greens are ideal fall plants to make it through the winter months! Veggies, V…

Many people see investing in real estate as a way to build a nest and have tenants pay your mortgage for you, that is true but however, there are pros and cons with investing in real estate and here are some mistakes to avoid as an investor in real estate. Always visit a with a mortgage broker or with your bank to determine how much of a loan you can get and how you can borrow responsibly. Also look for properties or areas that are sure to generate a positive cash flow; this means the rent from tenants should be enough to pay for your mortgage, property tax, insurance, and utility bills. Never go into the real estate market by yourself, always have an experienced real estate agent, ideally who also invest in real estate. This point cannot be emphasized on enough, always have a local real estate agent with you when trying to make your mind on where and when to invest in real estate. If the agent is an investor this gives you an additional advantage as they have had first-h…

According to HGTV, 88% of potential home buyers begin their search online, which means that their decision to pursue your property relies entirely on the snapshot of your home’s exterior. For a potential buyer, their first impression is formed the second they pull up to your home. Curb appeal counts more than you might imagine, and with just a few tips, it is possible to liven up your landscape to quicken the selling process. Days of driving around the neighborhood eyeing “For Sale” signs have been replaced with virtual home-buying, allowing the picture of your house to be shared all over the web. The first impression can no longer be made in person; rather it must be established before an interest is even formed. The snapshot of your home’s exterior says a lot about the detail and character on the inside, so when capturing the scene, make sure you are showing the best version of your house. Try to think back and remember when you were the buyer- take note of what made yo…