Island Living Blog
Top 10 real estate tips
Existing-Home Sales Begin with a Bang Existing-home sales began 2017 with a bang, growing 3.3 percent and hitting a 10-year high in January, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). With the exception of the Midwest, every ...
5 Tips for Buying a Foreclosure
Get prequalified for a loan and set aside funds, and you’ll be ready to purchase a foreclosed home. When lenders take over a home through foreclosure, they want to sell it as quickly as possible. Since lenders aren’t in the real esta...
Your Property Wish List
What does your future home look like? Where is it located? As you hunt down your dream home, consult this list to evaluate properties and keep your priorities top of mind. What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer? Do you wan...
6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale
By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price. When sellers need to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage, they’re shooting for a short sale. Short sale homes can so...
7 Reasons to Own Your Home
Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. W...
8 Tips for Finding Your New Home
A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you. House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you w...
How to Hire Professionals to Get Rid of Mold
Not all mold experts are equal. We explain how to find reputable mold remediation experts and inspectors. When you find mold growing in your home, sound the alarm and get rid of it fast. Delay can mean extensive and costly remediation an...
Beware Spotty Mold Insurance Coverage
Owners with mold in the home may face a double-whammy: Their insurance policy may not cover the damage it’s caused. Mold needs water or moisture to grow, but not all causes of water damage are covered by homeowners’ policies, reports the...