Randall Gross - Fathom Realty

How do you sell a “haunted” house? Here is a helpful guide to marketing a stigmatized property.

How to sell a “Haunted House” Haunted houses are no joke when it comes to selling a so-called haunted or stigmatized property. Here’s a guide for the owners of such a property.

When selling your home, don’t waste your time on casual buyers. Here are seven ways to tell if you have a hot prospect.

How to Spot a Solid Buyer for Your Home When prospective buyers put an offer on your house, how can you tell if they are solid prospects? To avoid needlessly tying up your house, look for these seven indicators. They are preapproved for a mortgage. It’s easy to confuse the terms “prequalified” and “preapproved.” The first means ...

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...

Here are some easy things you can do to help maximize your home appraisal value.

Six Tips to Help Your Home Appraise Well Congratulations! You have a contract on your house, at or near your asking price, and your buyer is in the midst of the mortgage approval process. The deal is not totally closed, however, until a few important milestones are met. One of the most crucial is that your home appraise high enough to meet...

Paint is a powerful tool. Learn how to pick the perfect palette to sell your home.

Choosing the Best Paint Colors for Home Staging Painting is an essential part of successful home staging. In addition to making your home feel fresh and new, the right paint color will enhance your home’s appeal. It’s important to consider colors carefully — ideal colors ensure your space makes the best impression, while others may decrease...

Still feeling bruised because your house didn’t sell? Here’s how to learn from your mistakes and relist your home.

Relisting Your Home is a Fresh Start, Not a Failure When a home languishes on the market, sellers find themselves in a difficult position, asking tough questions. Should we relist it? If so, do we relist with the same agent? Above all else, what can we do differently? It’s difficult to get over the disappointment of an unsold home but owners need t...

What every landlord needs to know when it’s time for an unruly resident to go.

Be Certain the Law is On Your Side When Evicting a Tenant Evicting a tenant from a rental property is one of the most unpleasant tasks a landlord faces. Consult the laws in your state carefully, then proceed professionally and courteously. Here is a brief summary from the landlord’s perspective. Three types of termination. Most states recognize three typ...

Your roof stands between you and the weather outside. How is it built and how do you keep it in good shape?

How to Protect the Roof Over Your Head You buy a house to literally put “a roof over your head,” so having a trustworthy roof is vital. What are the key components to a roof and how do you keep it in good condition? Layer upon layer. From the ground, only the outermost layer of the roof is visible. That outer layer, made …

Enjoying the architecture and craftsmanship of historic homes may be enticing. But ownership often comes with a hefty price. Check out the pros and cons.

Historical Homes: Buying a Piece of History While ownership of historic homes can be appealing, it’s definitely not for everyone. Historic homes have their own set of challenges and responsibilities. Here’s a look at the joys and frustrations of owning a piece of history. What qualifies as historic? Historic homes are recognized by an age...

Does your yard make a good first impression? Here's how to win over prospective buyers before they get out of the car.

Five Easy Steps to a Front Yard Makeover When prospective buyers arrive to peruse your newly listed home, will they get a good first impression of the front yard? Put your gardening gloves on and roll up your sleeves. We’ve got work to do. The front lawn, which plays a major role in the overall impression the property, should be lush and...

Remember to "fall back" one hour tonight before bed!

In the home improvement arena, there’s no doubt men and women see things differently. Here’s how to find common ground in your battle of the sexes.

He Said, She Said: Men and Women Differ on Home Improvement If you’ve got a full-fledged battle of the sexes going on at your house regarding home improvement priorities, it’s time to call a timeout. Finding common ground is the key to deciding which projects to tackle first and which can wait. You’ll both be happier and your home-improvement efforts w...