When homeowners are preparing to put their properties on the market, one aspect is usually foremost in their minds: money. Setting the asking price accurately can mean the difference between getting an offer quickly and having a house languish for months, drawing little interest. With that in mind, it’s important that potential sellers block out a lot of the noise that often surrounds the intricate art and science of pricing. There are plenty of myths that may cause sellers to lose sleep at night as they attempt to … [Read more...]

Hey buyers and seller, see what your next step should be based on these September stats. #TeamBlackwell   … [Read more...]

What would you do to keep your home clean? Some people tackle their cleaning chores on a daily basis to fight back the growing mess, while others do just enough to keep their home off of an episode of ‘Hoarders’. This recently divorced man has taken keeping his house clean to the next level by doing something that most people wouldn’t even think to do. He completely wrapped it in plastic wrap. Todd Moriarty, a recent divorcee, is trying to keep his house completely clean so that he can sell his home on the local market at … [Read more...]

Ditch overstuffed sandwiches in favor of these good-as-new dish ideas. For some of us, leftovers are the whole point of Thanksgiving. Really, is there anything better than a late-night turkey sandwich piled high with stuffing, mashed potatoes and relish? But after your fourth such meal, it's easy to start questioning the impulse that had you toting home all those plastic containers. Before you give up hope, here are eight delicious ideas for using up the last of the big bird –– and none of them involve placing anything … [Read more...]

The might just be the best (or worst?) dad joke one-liners you’ll ever see — real estate related or not. Whether you’re being subjected to this type of humor on a daily basis, or remembering them with nostalgia this Father’s Day… enjoy! And to the dads reading this, Happy Father’s Day! You can’t go wrong with a nice, healthy list of clean dad jokes to add to your repertoire when it’s time to embarrass your … [Read more...]

Plenty of home sellers consider their places to be coveted properties that others would be lucky to own. But, that hubris can often lead to trouble when it comes to actually landing an offer and closing a sale. First-time sellers in particular exhibit some self-sabotaging behaviours that can trip them up on the way getting the deal done. The following are the most common mistakes they make and how to avoid them. 1. Thinking they can go it alone via GIPHY Selling a home is not for the faint of heart, nor is it … [Read more...]

When you do any home improvement, you probably figure it’s also going to improve the value of your home. And it probably will improve the value… but, probably not as much as it cost you. In other words, if you spend $1,000 (for example), it probably won’t improve the value by $1,000 or more. Statistically speaking, it will probably only improve the value by a fraction of that amount. So, the question becomes… Is it even worth doing any home improvements!? Not to sound wishy-washy, but the answer is… Yes and … [Read more...]

Just what does it take to make the agent who’s done so much for you swoon? There are plenty of ways to build a harmonious, lasting, and fulfilling relationship that will take you from starter home to happily ever after. Check out this list of things that’ll make your agent fall head over heels in love with you. 1. Refer your friends and family via GIPHY Talking up your real estate agent to friends and family is the greatest gift you can give. Being a connector is a wonderful way to help your favorite agent build and … [Read more...]

Your home is your castle. It is the place where you hide away from the world after a long day of getting berated by your boss because your TPS reports didn’t get their due attention. It’s your safe space. So, with that in mind, why in God’s name would you put your precious abode in the hands of amateurs? Home makeover shows are all the rage in the reality TV world. A lot of times things go well and homeowners love their new redecorated and reinvigorated dwellings. Then, there are times like these… 1. Floral … [Read more...]

Professional organizer Estelle Gee gives her best home organizing tips for fall. Blending style with practicality, Estelle Gee, director of Orderly Lives, has made a career out of helping others get organized. Here she shares some of her best home organizing tips and tricks to help you get your house ready for fall. Simple home organizing solutions Fall is the second busiest season and one of the most common problems standing between you and an organized home is the ability to establish a routine. Think … [Read more...]

Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves. Why make your home more energy efficient? Here are a few good reasons: Federal, state, utility and local jurisdictions’ financial incentives, such as tax breaks, are very advantageous for homeowners in most parts of the U.S. It saves money. It costs less to power a home that has been converted to be more energy-efficient. It increases the comfort level … [Read more...]

We’ve all got some sort of idea of how our dream home might look. Some of us have just got to have a pool, while others want clever modern design, sustainability, or integration with natural elements. No matter what it is that makes your dream home unique, here are a few examples of homes where people have been able to realize some of their greatest home design fantasies. These ingenious home improvements run from pools and aquariums to cleverly-hidden storage spaces, multi-purpose furniture and… cat transit walkways. … [Read more...]