Deciding whether to jump into the housing market or rent instead is rarely an easy decision. This is especially true if you’re a first-time homebuyer. But in today’s whirlwind market, you may find it particularly challenging to pinpoint the best time to start exploring homeownership. Here are some ways to figure out if it makes more sense to buy or rent.
Continue reading Buy Now or Rent Longer? 5 Questions to Answer Before Purchasing Your First Home
The annual inflation rate in the United States is currently around 7.5%. That’s the highest it has been since 1982. It doesn’t matter if you’re a cashier, lawyer, plumber, or retiree; if you spend U.S. dollars, inflation impacts you. But real estate investments can be a hedge against inflation.
Continue reading Real Estate: A Proven Hedge Against Inflation
Learn how to determine your current net worth and how an investment in real estate can help improve your bottom line.
Continue reading Could Rising Home Prices Impact Your Net Worth?Updated July 2026
Homeownership can be a powerful way to build long-term wealth, but it is not guaranteed and it does not happen quickly. While home values can rise and fall over shorter periods, the combination of appreciation, paying down a mortgage, and holding property over time has helped many homeowners build equity.
Continue reading Homeownership Builds Wealth
Maybe your dream home has the intricate details that you usually find only in older construction — wainscoting and crown molding in the interior, a large yard with an older tree shading the back yard, and a white picket fence.
Or maybe your dream home has all the conveniences of modern living — open floor plan in the living and dining spaces, large windows, connected, “smart” appliances, and minimalist design elements.
Whether you go for a brand new construction or an existing home, both types of properties have their pros and cons when it comes to purchasing. What type of home is right for you will depend on which factors are most important for your lifestyle.
Continue reading Should You Buy a New or Existing Home?
No matter if you’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market, there are a few critical steps you can take to make a smarter purchase. Since buying a home is likely the biggest single investment you will ever make, being prepared will help you make a better purchase. Here are 7 tips and tricks to buying a home.
What is your buying power? It is your ability to borrow plus the cash you have available for a down payment and closing costs. Your credit-worthiness and income will affect how much you can realistically borrow for a home.
Continue reading How to Buy a Home: 7 Tips and Tricks from Real Estate Insiders
By: Douglas Trattner
Is your AC making ominous noises? Maybe it sounds fine but isn’t cooling. Here’s a list of common air conditioning warning signs and their likely causes and fixes.
“Let comfort be your guide,” says Tom Hutchinson of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling. Air conditioning is all about comfort, so the simplest way to evaluate your system is to ask: Am I comfortable?
Air conditioning and HVAC units don’t last forever — 12 years is an average lifespan — and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most.
Continue reading Think Your AC Won’t Make it Through the Summer? Here are Some Fixes
As the weather gets cooler and you get ready to turn on the heat, it’s a good time to check your HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system to make sure it’s operating properly. While it’s wise to have your HVAC inspected by a heating professional every fall and spring, you can increase the efficiency of your system by following these simple maintenance tips from American Home Shield.
Use a high-efficiency pleated filter with an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles. Replace the filter every 90 days and check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, change it, and if you have pets, you may need to change it more often.
Continue reading The Heat Is On