If you’re a travel buff, you may know that it’s officially “wave season.” A moniker that refers to the time of the year—usually January through March—where cruise lines offer great discounts and incentives, wave season is prime time for booking a cruise.But no matter how great of a deal you may get, a cruise becomes an extremely expensive proposition when a problem arises. Prone to snafus surrounding missed connections, bad weather and on-board medical issues, a cruise vacation warrants the right type of insurance to protect you in case of these or any number of issues. According to the pros at...
How to Keep the Neighbors Happy During a Renovation
With spring just around the corner, many homeowners will take advantage of the warmer weather to launch a remodeling project. While it’s exciting to finally move forward on a big project that will improve the look, functionality and, hopefully, value of your home, a renovation means that you’ll be living with a fair amount of disruption for weeks or possibly months to come. Unfortunately, so will your neighbors.Even the most supportive of neighbors can become disgruntled by the mess and noise that usually accompanies a renovation project. To be a good community member and avoid stress—and potentially conflicts that escalate...
Making TikTok Work for You
As a real estate agent, you may wonder how much value you can expect from a platform used mainly by millennials and Gen Z who may or may not have real estate in mind. But as the leading destination for concise mobile video, TikTok can be a viable marketing tool for agents because its users engage with content from a variety of sources rather than only with friends. The key to using it successfully is to create short-form video content that engages a variety of users; property tours, for example, or tips on real estate purchasing or how to prepare...
Reducing Utility Bills in 5 Easy Steps
As summer heat fades and air conditioners go quiet, most Americans get a break from peak-season utility bills. But winter is coming, and with it, the increased cost of heating.From EnergyStar and consumer advisors, here are five tips that may help lower your cold-weather utility bills by as much as $100 a month in total: Get the best rate – Check in with your provider. Some utility companies are letting customers switch from a standard rate, with a set cost per kWh, to a time-of-use rate, or TOU, incentivizing consumers to use less power during peak energy hours—a switch that can...
Selling This Spring? Consider These Home Improvement Projects
As competition heats up among home sellers in today’s market, gaining a competitive edge matters now more than ever. While many homeowners look to tackle home improvement projects before putting their home on the market to attract as many buyers as possible and garner the best possible sales price, not all home improvements deliver the same return on investment.According to a recent Zillow survey conducted by Harris Poll, a majority of recent sellers—65% to be exact—take on at least two home improvement projects to get their home ready for market. And, according to home-management platform Thumbtack, sellers invested, on average,...
Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?
If you’ve been thinking about starting the search for your new home, there may be several factors preventing you from moving forward. From higher interest rates to talk of a housing crash, today’s environment has caused many would-be homebuyers—and sellers—to put their plans on hold.While reticence is understandable given today’s headlines, there are several real-world facts that you should consider before pushing off your plans to buy a home. Here are some reasons why it might be a good idea to start your search now, along with some important steps to take that will make a big difference.Interest rates remain...
DIY Projects for a Quick Home Refresh
If your home environment is triggering a case of the blahs, it’s easy to feel like you’ll never be able to afford the redesign or remodel that will make your home current and stylish again. Reviving your home decor can be done affordably and quickly, however, with a few strategic DIY fixes. Try one of these seemingly small ideas and you’ll be amazed at the difference it will make. Add some details to the master bedroom. You don’t need to invest in a whole new bedroom set to create a fresh look and feel to your bedroom. Focus on a few...
5 Winter Style Rules for Your Seasonal Decor
Changing your decor for the season can be an excellent way to ensure your home is welcoming all year round. It can also allow you a change from your regular decor, ensuring you never get bored with your space. This winter, follow these style rules to ensure your seasonal decorating goes off without a hitch. One-in-One-Out Seasonal decor can bring life to your space and can allow you to change up your normal scenery. The mistake many make is to pile seasonal decor on top of their traditional daily decorations. Instead, opt for a one-in-one-out rule. Replace photos, pictures, and...
Why Your House’s Location May Make It Hard to Get Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners insurance companies decide whether to issue policies and set their rates based on risk. Many factors, including a house’s location, can influence its risk profile. In some cases, a home’s location makes it difficult to get homeowners insurance. If you find yourself in that situation, you may be able to find another way to get coverage. How Location Can Affect Risk Some parts of the United States are prone to severe weather, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Houses along coastlines are susceptible to storm-related damage. Factors related to a specific neighborhood can influence risk. Some areas are located far...
3 Things New Homeowners Don’t Know
Becoming a new homeowner is an exciting milestone. It can also be an overwhelming process full of decision-making, seemingly endless paperwork and new responsibilities. When the dust settles and you officially sign for your new home, your work doesn’t end there. Many new homeowners don’t realize these important things. Don’t be caught unaware, be sure you understand these important tips. Your Insurance Needs to Be Updated Your home loan likely will require you to have adequate insurance on your house itself. This guarantees that in the event of an unpredictable situation, your lender will be protected. After all, if your...