Tips - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

HUD Issues New Guidance on Reasonable Accommodations for Assistance Animals

Property owners have struggled with how to enforce no-pet policies on their properties with the growing number of renter requests for assistance animals. That’s why the housing market is welcoming the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s newly released guidance and clarity on how to comply with the Fair Housing Act when receiving a request for an assistance animal.News reports in recent years have grown accusing some renters of

Read More

Most Common Sources of Construction Defects

There’s a wide variety of issues that can lead to defects in residential and commercial construction, but the most common relate to poorly trained contractors, finds a new analysis based on four years of research from LJP Construction Services.Poor workmanship, misinterpretation of plan details, and deviations from manufacturers’ recommendations are the top culprits causing construction deficiencies, the study notes. For single-family homes,

Read More

How to Keep a Stainless Steel Sink Shining

Stainless steel can be tough to keep sparkling, particularly the kitchen sink. Stainless steel can be prone to scratching, and hard water can leave behind marks. Further, very hot items that come into contact with a stainless steel sink can cause it to become discolored, known as “blueing.”So, how do you keep your stainless steel sink shining during showings? Houzz, a home remodeling website, interviewed designers to find out, and the best ap

Read More

The Key Listing Ad Words that Attract Buyers

Most buyers have “hardwood floors” and “granite countertops” on their minds when reading listing ad copy, but their preferences can differ somewhat after that. Depending on where consumers live, they may be more apt to be drawn to listing ads that point out the “cozy fireplace,” “pool,” or “brick home.”Point2 Homes, an online real estate marketplace, analyzed more than 1.2 million listings in July 2019 to see the most common w

Read More

Islands Continue to be Main Draw in Kitchen Design

Make sure that kitchen island shines because home buyers may increasingly be sizing it up. Large islands are a prominent feature in kitchen design today, and most remodeling homeowners are putting high importance on this central kitchen spot.In a survey of nearly 2,600 homeowners conducted by Houzz, a home remodeling website, one-third of homeowners said they added an island during renovations and nearly a quarter of owners said they upgraded the

Read More

3 Staging Trends that may Turn Off Buyers

Home staging can show off a home in its best light. Adding simple, updated decor can make a space feel warm and inviting. But there are a few popular trends in home design that stagers say you should avoid when prepping a home for sale:Too many mixed metalsMixed metals are a hot home trend, such as combining brushed nickel with matte black. It can add dimension and depth to your design. But don’t go overboard; some fixture finishes don’t look

Read More

5 Top Landscaping Trends for 2020

Ornate landscaping and weaving in a blue color palette are two big trends for yards in the new year, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The association recently released its list of the top landscaping trends in the new year.“Foundational landscape elements remain on homeowners’ wish lists, but modern updates and technology are now a top priority,” says NALP CEO Britt Wood. “With a wave of design and technic

Read More

Why you Shouldn’t Abbreviate 2020

Security officials are warning consumers to not abbreviate “2020” in official documents because they say it can be an easy way for scammers to commit forgery. They say the abbreviation makes it easy for scammers to change out the numbers on paperwork. For example, if you write a date like “1/3/20,” scammers could change it to “1/3/2000” or 1/3/2021.”Instead, write out the full year as “1/3/2020” or, better yet, write out the nam

Read More

An Armoire May Be your New Staging Ally

A home short on storage could be a turnoff to potential home buyers. That’s why some home stagers are turning to the armoire in homes that are tight on closet space.Armoires usually have both a rod inside for hanging items and drawers or cubbies for storing smaller items. Along with that extra space to store items and clear overly cramped closets, they can be a stylish accent in a room, too."Most armoires are conversation pieces, so bring one i

Read More

A Clean Chimney is Good not only for Santa

A regular inspection of the chimney not only can ensure your fireplace is venting properly but also protect you against a house fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.During the holidays, chimney businesses notice an uptick in service calls. These businesses use wire and nylon brushes to clean creosote buildup out of chimneys. Creosote, a byproduct from burning wood, is highly flammable and can increase the risk of a house fire if it’s not reg

Read More

This website includes images sourced from third party websites including Adobe, Getty Images, and as otherwise noted.