Buying and Selling Real Estate in RI
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Short Sales 101 for the Home-Owner
If you are among the tens of thousands of people struggling to pay your mortgage you may be wondering if a Short Sale is the answer to your problem. There is no general answer that applies to every situation but if you are aware of what a Short Sale is and its benefits and consequences [...]
Buying a Short Sale - The Basics
If you have been paying attention to the real estate market lately you have read and heard a lot about Short Sales. A Short Sale occurs when a home-owner can no longer manage the mortgage and upkeep of the house but can not make enough money selling it. The home-owner’s real estate agent helps the [...]
Dry Rot?What is it?
Have you ever prodded on wood with a finger nail or hard object and had the wood give way? The first thought for many is wood boring insects (which it may very well be) but there is an alternative danger that you may need to minimize - dry rot. Dry rot is caused by a fungus that [...]
Sometimes You Really Can Make Your Money Back - Even in This Market
In my last post I broke that bad news that in this market you don’t get 100% back on your home improvement. Further, expectations that you will make a profit are hardly ever realized. But there is good news in some cases and today’s post will illuminate a few of them. Two is Better Than One The [...]
Cost versus Return on Home Improvements: What Will Pay Off When I Sell?
I was struggling to come up with a relevant topic that would appeal to home buyers, home sellers, seniors, investors, and/or home owners who prize their home as an investment and let me tell you it is getting more and more difficult! But I came across a topic that I use when teaching and decided [...]
Budgeting Basics - Checking Your Work
In my last post I created a simple budget form for you to use. If you fill it in you will probably end up with a surplus and wonder to yourself where that surplus is at the end of the month. That’s why most people will need to track expenses for about six weeks to [...]
The Home Owner?s Budget - A General Model
This is the yearly budget Source Income Expense Income after taxes + Other household income + Household Expenses Proposed mortgage amount/existing mortgage - Real Estate Taxes and Insurance - Association fees/Condo fees - Parking fees/other housing rentals - Personal Property Tax - - - Risk Protection Life Insurance - Health Insurance - Dental Insurance - Car Insurance - Savings/Emergency Fund - Other General Expenses Charity/Tithe - Union or Professional Dues - Club/Organization Dues - Tuition - Spousal/Child support - Regular Bills Credit Card 1 - Credit Card 2 - Auto Loan - Utilities: Heat+Electric+Water+Gas - Telephone - Repairs to the House - Repairs/Replacements - Appliances - Accumulated Charges Gasoline - Automobile Maintenance - Public Transportation - Groceries - Sundries - Eating Out/Entertainment - Clothing, Accessories, Shoes - Dry [...]
How Do You Bring Spring into Your Home?
Today I took advantage of a balmy January day to cut forsythia boughs. I submerge them in water in the house and within a couple weeks the boughs will be covered with yellow blooms. I did the same with Keria Japonica. Forcing flowering bushes (as this is called) is one of the ways that I [...]
Home Owner?s Resolutions Part Deux
September Make sure your leaf blower, leaf eater, or other fall equipment is in good working order. Order/purchase your spring flowering bulbs and bulb food (ask a reputable nursery what is best for you soil and climate). Stop deadheading your flowers so they will know to prepare for winter. Replace your furnace filter. Last chance for landscape changes (great time [...]
A Homeowners Resolutions
I gave up making resolutions a long time ago. I assume I don’t have to explain why. So I see this post as more of a to-do list - you know, all the things that you should do as a home owner but some how you never get around to doing it. Call it a [...]
