Kitchen Cabinets: Paint ‘em Yourself or Pay the Big Bucks? Written by Jaymi Naciri
Are you thinking of painting your kitchen cabinets? You can find dozens—hundreds, even—of tutorials and tip lists to show you how. They'll list the supplies needed and show you the proper techniques for the best outcome. And many of them even get real about just how intensive and interminable the p
Read MoreWeekend Talking Points - 'Options' by Scott Bradley Brixen
"Core" PCE growth slowed to 2.6% YoY in April. (The Fed's target is 2.0%.) Jobs week was pretty weak overall, though the BLS headline looked like a beat. And 1Q 2025 GDP contracted. For all these reasons, you'd expect the Fed to be cutting rates. However, with the impact of Trump's tariffs being so
Read MoreDon’t Let Your Wallet Melt: Texas-Sized Tips to Cool Down That Electric Bill
Y'all know summer in Texas ain't just hot—it's hotter'n a billy goat in a pepper patch. And when that thermostat starts flirtin' with triple digits, your electric bill can shoot up faster than a jackrabbit on a date. But don't sweat it, neighbor. With a little foresight and some good old-fashioned
Read MoreHow to Prepare for the Spring House-Hunting Rush By John Pullega
Spring is primetime for house hunting. That means that fall and winter are great times to prepare yourself for the spring house-hunting rush. Here are a few easy-to-implement tips to get yourself ahead of the curve as people begin to hunker down for the holidays! Start contacting warm leads. If you
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So, you're looking to buy a house in the great state of Texas? You're not alone—with its diverse landscape, booming cities, and affordable cost of living, Texas has become an increasingly popular destination for prospective homeowners. Before you start browsing listings and attending open houses,
Read More Faking It: Faux Materials You Can Use To Bring Real Interest Written by Jaymi Naciri
As the Marvin Gaye song lyric goes, "Ain't nothing like the real thing, Baby." And while that might be a good motto to live by, when it comes to home trends and décor, today it's all about faux. You can have a great-looking place, even if it wasn't built that way, without incurring huge expenses. An
Read MoreAre USDA Loans Just for Farms? Written by Ashley Sutphin
A USDA loan can represent an overlooked opportunity for homebuyers. Many myths surround this particular type of loan, keeping people from exploring their options. USDA loans are from the United States Department of Agriculture and have enormous benefits. These loans don’t require a down paymen
Read MoreSellers: Clutter-Free Tips That Can Make Your Home Look More Appealing Written by Realty Times Staff
Tidying up your home for your open house or a buyer’s showing can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home. Yet, sometimes sellers neglect to do this even though it will help increase their chances of getting an offer. A little tidying up, organizing, and showcasing your home’s be
Read MoreWhen Should You Respond with a Counteroffer? Written by Ashley Sutphin
When you’re selling your home, negotiation is likely to be part of the equation. Last year, that might not have been the case, with many homes receiving multiple offers and ultimately selling for over the asking price. Now, with interest rates stubbornly high, sellers are facing a different situati
Read MoreWhat’s a Good Debt-To-Income Ratio? Written by Ashley Sutphin
If you're applying for a mortgage, you'll likely encounter the term debt-to-income ratio (DTI). This is a measure of your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Lenders use your credit history and DTI to determine whether you can repay a loan. Every lender has its own DTI requi
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Note: Whether it’s health care, retirement benefits, family support and child care, VA benefits, or other programs, getting smart about the rewards you have earned is worth your time. Although it is not yet clear to what extent federal cuts will affect DOD programs — including quality-of-life initi
Read More The housing market is improving, but buyers are anxious by Dave Gallagher
While they're showing more interest, economic volatility and uncertainty about the future could prevent buyers from making a home purchase. Key points: The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was up slightly this week, but it continues to hover around levels last seen in December. An increase in home tour
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Sellers who list April 13-19 could potentially make $4,800 more, sell their home nine days faster and have 13.2% less competition on average, than in the average week. In a challenging real estate market, timing can make a difference and this year, according to the Best Time to Sell report from Real
Read More What Happens To Your Mortgage During a Recession? Written by Ashley Sutphin
A recession is an inevitable period in the economy, often referred to as a pause in an otherwise expansionary period. Recessions do end, but that doesn’t mean they don’t cause damage along the way. They also affect real estate markets and interest rates. A healthy economy includes low unemployme
Read MoreBuyer agreements vs. representation: A critical distinction by Lisa Piccardo
Industry rule changes took effect six months ago, but many real estate professionals still don't fully understand representation or why it matters. Thinking significantly about residential real estate success requires a big-picture perspective. Industry Decoded features industry experts who can en
Read MoreDemolition Day Realities Written by PJ Wade
Demo Day is cast as the “fun” part of renovation and construction thanks to HGTV. Trashing and slashing. Kicking down drywall. Tearing kitchen cupboards off the wall, ripping out toilets…. Owners and celebrity reno stars wielding sledge hammers and power tools, trying to outdo each other. That care
Read MoreSigns That It Is Time To Renovate Your House
Renovating your home requires a significant investment. To get the most out of each penny you spend, you must renovate only when necessary. So, how do you know if it’s high time that you renovate your home? Check out these tell-tale signs: Your Home is Deteriorating The rate at which your home deter
Read More10 Effective Ways to Support and Boost Visibility for Local Small Businesses
10 Effective Ways to Support and Boost Visibility for Local Small Businesses by David Gill
Read MoreBuying a Home? Don't Forget to Ask These Questions! Written by Michael Porter
Can You Have a Copy of the Home’s Sales History? It is essential to know how many times the home has changed hands over the years, as well as how much the home sold for each time. This will let you know about your prospective property’s value fluctuations, which can help you sell the House and nego
Read MoreThe Mortgage Go-Round Written by David Reed
There are lots of mortgage programs out there. And when I say lots, I mean lots and lots. What are all these different types of home loans? There are far too many to mention here individually, but they basically fall into one of two categories: fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate loans. That's rea
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