Want to get along with your neighbors 100% of the time? That may be wishful thinking. But with these tips, you can surely build a friendly and cordial relationship. Exchange Favors When you are getting to know your neighbors, one of the quickest ways to get to know someone is to exchange favors. The problem is that people tend to not like to be the first one to ask for help. If you can be the first one to ask for a small favor, you’ll likely see that your neighbor is willing not only to help, but will also engage in a little extra conversation.The first time we hosted a big Thanksgiving, I realized that I didn’t have enough tables and chairs for all the people who had RSVP’d. I could have ca
Find out how the top 5 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. #1 Minor Bathroom Remodel Average return at resale: 102 percent It costs about $10,500 to replace the tub, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity and fixtures. You’ll get back an average of $10,700 at resale, a recoup rate of 102 percent. If you can pipe a child’s name on a birthday cake, you can re-caulk a tub. Use a softener like CAULK-BE-GONE to get rid of the old caulk. Fill the tub with water after you’re done to stretch caulk while it dries. If your old tub is too large to fit out the door, re-glaze it for a like-new finish. Cost: $300 to $400. Remove dated wall coverings and apply a fr
First Impressions are important. Curb appeal is vital. Your lawn should be trimmed, sidewalks swept, front door clean, doorbell working, fresh bark & flowers are wonderful. Painting For A Better Sale A minor investment in paint will pay dividends in the form of a better price and/or a quicker sale. Here Comes The Sun! Open the curtains and clean the windows so a pro- spect can see how bright and cheerful your house is. Dark, dreary rooms are not appealing to home-buyers. For showings, please turn on all exterior and interior lights, including accent and picture lights. Don’t Be A Drip! Fix leaky faucets.Dripping water suggests faulty plumbing and major repair bills. Discolored, rust-stained
Real estate markets across the U.S. are fast-paced right now. Homes are selling within hours, rather days. Homebuyers are struggling to find the right house before someone else has put it under contract. The pressure to beat out other homebuyers is intense. Homebuying is already an emotional experience without the pressures of the market. Adding on the market’s intensity is enough to make anyone go insane. If you’re experiencing this problem as a homebuyer in your local market, here are three tips to help break through the competition and beat the other competing buyers to your next home purchase. Set up instant property alerts. Many real estate websites allow users to save their search crit
