7 Things to Prepare Before You Host an Outdoor BBQ

Host an Outdoor BBQ

Summer is definitely the time to get outside and bring friends and family together. It is a time for hiking, boating, golfing and so much more. This time of year gets us outside grilling away for healthier eating. We wanted to help you get prepared in case you decide to invite family and friends over to celebrate summer with you. These seven tips will help you prepare before you host an outdoor BBQ. Being prepared for any fun in your backyard might find you throwing a couple of BBQ parties.   Read More

The Best Types of Furniture For Your Patio

furniture for your patioHaving a patio is perhaps one of the more rewarding aspects of being a home owner. When you build a patio, you will have an area that will serve as an extension of your home. It is also a place where you can dine with your family, entertain visitors or just plain relax with a glass of wine in one hand and a book in the other. And all this you can do in the open air, as you enjoy the morning sun or the cool night breeze.

To fully enjoy your patio, you need to outfit it with furniture that would complement it best. Do this right, and your patio will become the most popular spot in your entire home. So what are the best types of furniture for your patio? Read More

Millennials Managing your First Big Investment … A New Home

a new homeYou finally saved enough money for the down payment on a house. And you finally qualified for a mortgage.  You researched and home shopped to find the right first home. You made an offer. And finally, you closed on your first big investment …  a new home! Congratulations!

Now you are starting a 3 to 7 year cycle of owning and managing your first home. Where do you start?  How do you maximize the value and minimize the ongoing expenses? What do you need to do to maintain this asset? How do you manage the improvements you make to the house? How do you avoid falling into the “money pit” trap where your house financially consumes you?  Read More

Why Knowing your Personal Home Finances will Change your Life

Do you know what you owe on your mortgage? Do you know if you have the proper coverage for the contents in your home? What about knowing what you home is worth in three years? Questions like these and more are important to help us all make the best financial decisions for our life. Read More

Managing Your Home Finances for More Effective Home Management

Home Finances PieceManaging a household budget can be tricky if you are not able to document all the details about your average monthly spend. Many homeowners keep a list of electric, telephone, mobile phone, care givers, groceries, water, mortgage and car expenses. But many people forget about their home maintenance spend, their insurance fees and home repair costs throughout the year. These activities either pop up unexpectedly or they are not monthly expenses and are forgotten because they happen periodically. These are just a few expenses that are forgotten when it comes to overall home management. Looking at five key areas of finances that directly impact your home will help you have better visibility and understanding of your home that can help you make better decisions that pertain to one of your largest assets. Read More