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On Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell five basis points to 6.416% APR. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped 12 basis points to 5.70% APR, and the average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage went down five basis points to 6.407% APR, according to […]

You probably get a lot of questions from real estate clients about what home warranties are and the advantages of having coverage. Interested clients may also ask you how home warranties work, especially when a covered breakdown occurs and they need service. While plans can differ, here’s some general information about the American Home Shield® […]

Caulking is a home improvement task that many homeowners overlook, and the repercussions can be significant. According to Energy.gov, the heat that is gained and lost through windows accounts for as much as 30 percent of residential cooling and heating energy use. Much of this heat loss can be prevented with proper caulking, which stops air […]

Are you a homeowner? If so, tapping into the value of your house by qualifying for a home equity loan is an easy way to obtain the funds you may need for debt consolidation, paying for home improvement projects, or covering a major life event. These types of loans typically have lower interest rates than […]

Don’t completely panic and expect the worst if the buyer asks for an extension on the closing date. Read on to learn why it’s not necessarily the end of the world and how you can make the best of a less-than-ideal situation. You’re so close. The closing date for your home is in sight and […]

The Federal Reserve is one of many influences on mortgage rates, along with inflation and economic growth. The Federal Reserve doesn’t set mortgage rates, but its actions indirectly affect mortgage rates. As of its November meeting, the Fed has raised a benchmark interest rate by a total of 375 basis points, or 3.75 percentage points, […]

Fall is here, and with it comes the inevitable slowing of activity in the garden. Depending on your location, perennials may be blushing with color or starting to drop their leaves. Annual vegetables are nearing the end of their lifespan and are starting to succumb to the nip of successively heavier frosts. After the rush […]

Fireplaces are a beautiful way to heat your home in the winter. But before you light up a gas or wood-burning fireplace for the first time this season, there are a few issues you need to take care of, like cleaning up soot and creosote from last season and making sure you don’t need any […]

 A crucial part of pest control–and one that’s not often talked about–is understanding pest behavior. With proper pest control, it’s not enough to simply eliminate the pest by trapping or exterminating, we need to prevent future problems too! This is extremely applicable in the case of squirrels. As fall cools down into winter, it’s vital to […]

Spending an afternoon cleaning gunk out of your gutters is likely not an activity you look forward to as a homeowner, but what might cost you an hour or two of your time more than makes up for the potential thousands you would spend repairing water damage to your home or to your roof, should […]