April Jenkins

Are you in the process of selling your home with pets living in the house? Here is how to clean up those accidents quickly!

When Accidents Happen: Removing Pet Stains and Odors on Floors Pet accidents are inevitable, reminding us all of the sacrifices and responsibilities that come with pet ownership. Hurry, grab some supplies and let’s get that mess cleaned up and the odor removed. Soiled carpets. Quick removal of pet waste is essential. Left to dry, stain and odor removal become...

Are you smarter than your thermostat? After reading this, you’ll probably wonder.

Save Energy and Money With a Digital Thermostat A programmable thermostat is a great investment for homeowners — a multitasking tool that keeps you comfortable and helps you save money. While basic thermostat technology, using liquid mercury and an electrical switch, has been around for a long time, it’s the digital advances that have elevate...

What goes into building the inside walls of a home? Here’s a quick lesson for homeowners.

The ABCs of Wall Construction Many structural components make up a house, but three are arguably the most important: the foundation, the walls and the roof. Everything else depends on those three. Walls stand on the foundation and support the roof. Here’s what you need to know to be an informed homeowner. Materials. Wall frame...

Is country living right for you? Here’s what it takes to build in a rural setting.

City Limits: What It Takes to Build In the Country While the majority of homeowners in America live in subdivisions, some prospective homeowners dream of wide open spaces and a quiet natural setting. So what does it take to build in a rural area as compared to a subdivision? Here are some key differences. Buying the land. In many small towns and rur...

Before you lower the asking price of your home, consider these important factors.

When Is It Time to Reduce your List Price? If your house has been up for sale for two months — or longer — without a nibble of interest, it’s probably time to ask yourself some tough questions. What causes a house to languish on the market and when should you lower the price? Pinpoint the problem. With a Comparative Market Analysis or ...

Paying rent on time will improve your ability to get a mortgage. This and 6 more tips on being a responsible renter here.

Seven Tips for Being a Good Tenant Whether you rent an apartment, duplex or house, getting along well with your landlord and neighbors is vital. Unless you want to be packing up and moving, it pays to be a model tenant. Check out these basic guidelines and you’ll be well on your way to being a responsible and respectful renter. Rea...

Are you drowning in files? Check this list of the do’s and don’ts of document storage, including all-important IRS guidelines.

When to Keep, When to Toss Those Important Documents Ever wonder how long you should keep important documents such as old tax returns, mortgage documents, and home appliance receipts? Here’s a list of what to keep and when it’s safe to shred. Tax records. The IRS advises keeping tax returns and supporting documentation for at least three years —...

The home appraiser can make or break the deal on your house. Here’s what you need to know about the process and how it can affect you.

How Appraisers Play a Key Role in a Home Purchase How much is a home worth? That’s the crucial question asked by home buyers and their lenders in a sales transaction. It’s up to a professional real estate appraiser to analyze the property and market data to come up with the market value, which can dramatically change the outcome of a deal. What...

Want your house to outshine the competition? Here are six tips for putting the finishing touches on your home.

Making Your Home Shine for Showings It goes without saying that you want your home to shine when prospective buyers view your home. Yet you’d be surprised how many sellers skimp on this important step in the home-selling process. Here are six keys to unlocking maximum appeal. Clean house inside and out. Not only should the regular m...

Are home warranties worth the money? Be sure to review the details noted here before purchasing.

Always Read the Fine Print When Buying a Home Warranty Home warranties often provide peace of mind to wary home buyers, but are they worth the cost? Let’s look at how home warranties work and weigh the pros and cons. Home warranty basics. Home warranties provide for the repair of certain systems in a house in exchange for an annual fee of between $300...

An attractive outdoor space can add a great new dimension of living to your home. What’s the best option for you - patio, deck, sunroom or screened porch?

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Living Space If your home doesn’t have a dedicated place for outdoor living, you might consider adding a deck or patio. Another popular addition is a sunroom or screened area that expands living space, allows lots of outdoor light, but keeps some of the peskier outside elements away. Let’s check out each typ...

When applying for a mortgage, you have legal protections against discrimination. Learn about your rights to move one step closer to the American dream of homeownership.

Path to Homeownership: What is the Equal Credit Opportunity Act Homeownership is the dream of millions of Americans, and should never be denied because of an applicant’s race, color, national origin, s*x, religion, marital status or age. In 1974, Congress sought to remove such discriminatory obstacles from the approval process. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act...