Blog

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 […]

If only walls could talk. For those curious to find out the history of their house, we don’t blame you. Whether it’s a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse, a Victorian beauty or a contemporary new build, every house has a history (though, some are more interesting than others). Not only can finding a house’s history make you better appreciate its quirks and […]

As a homeowner, you understand the importance of cleaning your gutters, changing your air filters and properly maintaining your lawn. But how much time do you spend cleaning your dryer vent? If you’re like the average homeowner, the answer is probably, “not much.”Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Data Center, nearly 15,000 […]

From gutters to windows to furnaces, these winterization steps will help you ready your house for its long winter’s nap. When the leaves are turning and there’s a chill in the air, there’s no denying that winter is on its way. You might prepare for the coming weather by digging your parka out of the […]

So, you’re in the market for buying your first house. Good for you! Purchasing your first home can be exhilarating, but it might be a bit intimidating, too. After all, this is almost certainly the biggest financial move you’ve made thus far. But we can help. Here are seven key factors that can boost your […]

When a property is listed on the market, it is common practice to have multiple For Sale signs set up in front of and around the house. Do real estate signs still make a difference? In the digital world where most people start their days by searching online content on their smartphones, the relevance of traditional marketing tools […]