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

DIY or Not: How to Interview a Contractor

Interview a Contractor

Many of us have the ability to make adjustments, repairs and enhancements to our homes. Many simple tasks are easy to update like replacing a light switch cover. However, other types of tasks may require more skills that you may or may not have. If you feel that electrical work is not in your skill set, it is a good idea to hire a contractor. Although you have the skills, you do not have the time to perform the task. This is another reason you may need to hire a contractor to help 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

Building Your Dream House: 5 Common Hurdles That May Ruin Everything

building your dream houseGuest Blogger: Lili Schatz

Few things can be more rewarding than creating your own dream house. Nothing else could be as uniquely yours as a home you have helped to design for your family. You’ll be able to make decisions both small and large regarding any detail of the home you might want. And see to it that your custom home contractors leave you with a living space that you can be proud of. The process, however, is not without its difficulties. Here are five of the most Read More

Kickstarting Your Own Produce Garden

Produce GardenThere are many ways to add a green touch to your home. You can do it by selecting green decor like we showed in our St. Patrick’s Day commemorative post, entitled ‘Decorating with Green’. But seeing as it’s also the color we associate with nature, putting in some greenery maximizes the effect of giving a natural feel to your home.

One of the best ways to do it is by creating your own produce garden. And contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t have to be done outside. Fruit and vegetable gardening is becoming very popular, according to The Chronicle Journal, as it can be beneficial on so many levels. Among the many benefits include saving on groceries, contributing to the environment and adding some zen to your life. Read More