Blog Posts
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New Orleans among most stable housing markets, newspaper reports
New Orleans and the state of Louisiana as a whole are among the most stable housing markets in the U.S. according to a recent report by mortgage giant Freddie Mac, the Washington Post reported Monday. Freddie Mac rates housing markets on metro and state levels for stability over the long haul using home purchase data,…
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Pre Listing Inspection. It’s crazy not to get one!
Sellers’ Pre-Listing Inspections Eventually, your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways, such as: It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical and…
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15 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
According to EnergyStar.gov – a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy – the typical household spends $2,100 each year to heat, cool, and illuminate their homes. But reducing energy bills doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Up to half of the energy used in your home goes…
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How Emotions Can Hurt a Home Buyer
Three years ago, when my husband and I first moved to our current home in Lafayette, Indiana, we got a pretty rude wake-up call about how emotions can make the process of buying a home even more costly. (See also: Your Finances: 4 Emotional Decisions to Avoid) At the time that we moved, we were…
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10 Home Checks to Prepare for the Warmer Months
Home’s can take a bad hit during the winter, particularly after this year’s harsh winter. Seasonal damage to a home isn’t always easily visible, but if it’s not repaired, spring and summer storms can add to the problems, says Paul Sullivan, National Association of Home Builder’s Remodelers chair. NAHB provides home owners with the following…
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Home inspections. You should get one!
ANGIE’S LIST GUIDE TO Home inspections For most of us, our home is the biggest investment we will ever make. For those preparing to buy, a quality home inspection is key. An inspection is usually required for a home purchase. A quality home inspector will look at every nook and cranny to gauge structure stability,…
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How to improve your credit score.
Five smart moves to improve your credit score for the best home loan Following these tips can help you raise your credit score and save big on your mortgage. Yahoo Homes By Lee NelsonApr 7, 2014 1:23 PM Is your credit score a mystery to you? Well, it may be time to demystify that three-digit number,…
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Buying a Foreclosure by Nick Gromicko
Purchasing foreclosed homes in desirable areas at below-market values can be a sound investment strategy. Appreciation on their original prices may be tax-free. Buying foreclosed rental properties can provide positive cash flow, as well as valuable tax deductions. On the other hand, buying a foreclosure involves homework, patience, and a certain amount of luck. For…
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Burglar-Resistant Homes by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
There are a number of measures that homeowners can take to ensure that their homes are not attractive to burglars. If clients are concerned about break-ins, inspectors can pass on to them basic strategies for burglar-proofing their homes. Some interesting statistics concerning break-ins in the United States: InterNACHI estimates that theft makes up more…
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Installing Attic Insulation by Nick Gromicko and Barry Fowler
According to the EnergyStar™ Program, heating and cooling costs can be slashed by up to 20% per year by properly sealing and insulating the home. Insulating the attic should be a top priority for preventing heat loss because as heat rises, a critical amount of heat loss from the living areas of the home occurs through an unfinished attic. During…