1. Reprogram the ThermostatChange your temperature settings to make your home ready for the colder weather. Make sure the house is warm when people are active (mornings and evenings). But don’t be afraid to lower the temperature by several degrees or more when the family is away or sleeping. Even smart programmable thermostats may need some help figuring out your winter schedule! 2. Clean Your Furnace and Switch Out Your FiltersCheck your furnace for soot, ignition problems, pilot light health and the state o... read more

When the real estate bubble burst, thousands of Americans found themselves in possession of a home that had lost a lot of its value and a mortgage that didn't reflect that. Some owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth, and because most banks at the time required a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 80% or less, many of these homeowners were unable to refinance. So in 2009, the government stepped in and created the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to enable these homeowners to refinance to get a m... read more

As your family grows, it's important to create an environment that's conducive to creating lasting experiences and memories. That's why you should ensure your family has a comfortable and spacious place to live. Cost Buying a home is a massive investment that'll require upfront costs. You'll need to consider whether you have enough to cover the down payment, closing costs and more. Sure, it's possible to negotiate a portion of the fees with your agent's help; however, you don't want to come to the table with n... read more

A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she becomes a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate®, the world's largest professional association. The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and abides by its strict Code of Ethics. Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 members to more than 1 million toda... read more

Buying a house is a very exciting time and one that buyers should prepare for.  Whether it’s preparing to get a mortgage or shopping for houses, making a mistake when buying a house can lead to many future headaches. Most houses that are being sold will have an agent representing the seller, which is frequently referred to as a listing agent or sellers agent.  The listing agents main responsibility is to make sure the sellers best interests are being protected. So how does a buyer make sure their be... read more