If you’re looking for a place to store your kids’ sports equipment or you’re trying to prevent boots from trekking dirt and snow into the house, it might be time for you to update your mudroom area or create a space that can serve as a mudroom. For ideas on how to enhance your mudroom and optimize storage space, read on. What Is A Mudroom? A mudroom is a space dedicated to storing items that would otherwise make a mess in the house. It is usually a home’s second entrance. A mudroom often serves as a transition between the outdoors and indoors, allowing kids and family members to drop off their ..read more

The last thing you want to do is to have to pay capital gains on a home sale, especially if you need those funds to buy a new home, or are looking to downsize. But what if I told you that there are a ton of ways to avoid taxes on a house sale and that once you understand the process, you will probably be able to avoid them with ease. In this post today, I am going to go over what capital gains taxes are, guidelines to follow to qualify for an exemption and the times when you’ll be required to pay the tax. What Is Capital Gains Tax? The capital gains tax is essentially a tax on any gains you re ..read more

The American dream was built on the belief that anyone could achieve success and a better quality of life through hard work and sacrifice. However, it has become clear that where you decide to put down your roots has a tremendous bearing on your standard of living. How much money do you need to be able to afford life’s necessities? The answer depends on the cost of living in your area. Cost of living is an essential consideration when you’re thinking of moving or switching careers because certain regions of the country are more expensive than others. By learning more about cost of living, how ..read more

A Closing Disclosure is a five-page form provided by your mortgage lender 3 business days before your closing date. This form lists the loan terms, projected monthly mortgage payments and total closing costs. The Closing Disclosure form is an important part of your home closing process. In the following sections, we’ll discuss what’s included in your Closing Disclosure, the procedure for receiving and acknowledging the form and how to correct errors. What Is Included On The Closing Disclosure Form? When you get a mortgage, your Closing Disclosure provides important information regarding the fi ..read more

If you’re looking to buy or build a house, chances are you might have a particular architectural style on your mind. Maybe you’re looking for a contemporary, modern or Craftsman-style home. Or maybe you want an architectural style that is making a comeback, like a split level house. If you’re familiar with “The Brady Bunch,” you might remember a split-level house was the setting for the classic TV show. If you feel inspired by Greg, Marcia and the rest of the bunch, keep reading and learn more about split-level houses. What Is A Split-Level House? A split-level house is different from a tradit ..read more

You may be surprised to learn that trespassers can actually take possession of a portion of your property without your consent. This is known as adverse possession. Of course, adverse possession is circumstantial. This may seem intimidating to homeowners, but understanding how it works and how to prevent it can help. There are a lot of elements that are at play before strangers can take an owner’s property. Read on to learn more about adverse possession and how it works so that you can avoid it. What Is Adverse Possession? Sometimes called squatters rights or homesteading, adverse possession i ..read more

When you move into a new house, it’s the love of your friends, family and neighbors that makes it a home. A housewarming party is a great way to introduce the people you love (or the neighbors you want to get to know) to your new place, celebrate your new home and make the unfamiliar start to feel more familiar. However, the months after moving into a new house can be pretty hectic. As you unpack, get your household up and running, and get all your documentation and records updated, throwing a party can seem like an unnecessary stressor. It doesn’t have to be, though – a party should be fun, a ..read more

As a homeowner, you’ll likely make many home improvements that enhance your life and add value to your home. For many, a common place to start is with landscaping. Implementing a new landscape design or updating what you already have doesn’t require an entire overhaul – even the smallest changes can have a big impact on the overall aesthetic of your yard. When thinking about whether your landscaping needs a makeover, consider this analogy: Your home is one of your largest investments. The memories you make there are priceless and the improvements you make to it are your own work of art. Your l ..read more

Did you know that clutter can be harmful to your health? Your brain needs organization to function properly, which is why messy homes tend to cause us to feel drained and anxious. A cluttered home can even make it more difficult for you to sleep and concentrate. Take a look around your home. Does it make you feel stressed? If so, it’s time to do something about it, and Marie Kondo has just the thing. Kondo’s KonMari Method will help you sort through your belongings, get rid of the clutter and organize your home. At the end of a long day, you deserve to come home to a place that sparks joy inst ..read more

The space you live in reflects the life you live. Are you subdued and sophisticated? Bold and exciting? Quirky and unconventional? Nothing expresses your inner self more completely than the decor of your home. As your world changes and evolves, so too should the space you call home. Here are some easy – and affordable – ways to incorporate the hottest decorating trends for 2020. Incorporate The Color Of The Year Every year, color company Pantone announces its Color of the Year, the hue that will become a major trendsetter in decor and design. Their color for 2020 is Classic Blue, a basic navy ..read more