Image by Jojje from Shutterstock Many people own homes through a mortgage agreement. Traditional mortgages are primarily fully amortized or gradually paid off with regular payments over the lifetime of the loan. Each payment contributes to both the principal and the interest. A balloon mortgage is a short-term home loan with fixed-rate monthly payments that only take care...

Photo by Alexander Stein via PixabayWhen it comes to a mortgage, most of us think of the same standard product; the 15 or 30 year conventional mortgage offered by banks and lenders. This is not the only mortgage option you have, though. Depending on your personal history and circumstances you may qualify for an attractive mortgage with lower...

Photo by Hédi Benyounes on Unsplash Dressing up your bathroom can not only make your house have more sales appeal but also can make your morning routine a little more cheerful. One way to dress up a pedestal sink and even add a pop of color to your bathroom pallet is by adding a colorful skirt. 1. Take...

Photo by WaveBreakMedia via Shutterstock A troubling trend in today’s home is difficulty finding restful sleep. Most of us have heard of a few ways to create a more relaxing atmosphere before bed. Here are a couple others to add to that list. Add Plants Many people avoid putting plants in their bedroom because they’re afraid they’ll get...

Photo by John Wollwerth via Shutterstock No matter how well-intentioned, when it’s time to sell your home taking the advice of friends and family while disregarding the advice of your agent is a recipe for slowing down your home’s sale. Your professional agent knows the current market and what buyers look for. In fact, they may even have...

Photo by Free-Photos via Pixabay There's a lot of benefit to be had from increasing the amount of natural light that enters your home. Scientists have long linked natural daylight to improved mood and productivity. You just feel better when you regularly work or relax in a room filled with light from the sun. Sunlight helps regulate circadian...

Buying a vacation home may prove to be a great investment. It enables you to spend time at a terrific location at your convenience – all without having to worry about hotel or motel costs. Plus, a vacation home can be tailored to your individual needs. You can decorate your vacation house however you would like, and ultimately, find...

Image by Mark Ort from Pixabay While house-flipping in general is slowing down, and profits are slowly decreasing, there are still a few places left worth flipping. Here, real estate investors can score big returns by buying foreclosed or distressed properties, renovating and then selling them. If you're an investor who's looking to dive in, these five U.S....

Photo by Skitterphoto via Pexels Keeping your home comfortable when the weather gets cooler can have a significant impact on your energy bills. In fact, your HVAC system is one of the biggest sources of energy usage in your home. You could end up spending more than you planned to on heating, especially if the weather turns colder...

Image by Agover from Pixabay Where do you start when you first consider purchasing a home? Buyers who are new to the real estate market may not know exactly what they want in a house or where they want to live. While the dream homes found online, in magazines, and on your favorite television show are great resources...

Photo by Mohamed Hassan via Pixabay Even if you love your home and never plan to leave it, there may come a point when you need to put it on the market. The home maintenance tasks you tackle today have a direct impact on your home’s value tomorrow. If you want to protect the value of your home,...

Photo by Jay Mantri via Pixabay A deck adds valuable outdoor living space to your home's square footage, but to be an asset, it needs to be well-maintained. If your deck has missed a few annual cleanings or is showing popped nails, splintered boards or water damage, consider resurfacing it instead of replacing it. The money you save...