April is New Homes Month

The National Association of Home Builders designated April as "New Homes Month".  To celebrate - here are a few reasons why you should buy new!

Prepping for Grill Season!

Telltale signs of spring - the sound of lawnmowers, children jumping through sprinklers and the smell of BBQ wafting over the neighbor's fence.  Before you get your grill out of hibernation - make sure you've taken these steps to guarantee a problem free BBQ season!

Start with giving your grill a good cleaning - inside and out. Brush off any visible debris with a wire brush. Remove grill grates and wash with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry before putting back on the grill.

Check the fuel lines for any signs of cracks or rips. Make sure there are no kinks or bends in the line. Clean off any build up that may have accumulated on the lines. Check the gas tank for any obvious signs of damage.

Don't forget to clean out your grease trap - typically located under the grill. Clean thoroughly before your first use.

Light the grill and let it burn for a few minutes to ensure that everything is working properly. Make sure that all burners are lit and there are no leaks.

Now that you're ready to grill - use a few easy maintenance tips to ensure a great grilling season well into the fall.  Cover your grill to protect it from the elements of wind and rain.  After using your grill let it burn for an additional 15 minutes to burn off any food residue and make for easy clean up.

Home Buying Help

Today's home buyers have a plethora of online resources at their disposal. From searching Internet  listings to comparing mortgage rates, or looking up the latest design trends, the World Wide Web has created new avenues for today's home shopper.

We've prepared a list of links to use during your home search.  These calculators take some of the guess work out of shopping for a new home. The more you know, the better!


Housing Affordability Calculator from BankRate.com

Rent Vs. Buy from Realtor.com

Down Payment Calculator from FreddieMac

Extra Payment Calculator from Chase Mortgage

Potential Tax Savings from FreddieMac

Debt to Income Ratio from FeedThePig.org


What online
resources do you use to help you with your homebuying decisions?

Decorating with the Outdoors

The Spring weather is beautiful! The breeze is sweet and the flowers are blooming! Which means pollen.  Lots of pollen!  If seasonal allergies are holding you back from enjoying the great outdoors there are ways to bring the outside in!  Check out these tips to find out how!

1.  Decorate with plants - the non-allergic variety! Some plants actually improve air quality such as the Peace Lily, Chrysanthemum or Lady Palm.

2.  Use natural materials as accents such as rocks, stone or wood. Collections of sea shells or dried flowers work as well.

3. Take advantage of natural light. Keep the blinds open or use natural materials for window treatments such as bamboo or woven wood.

4. Don't forget your sense of smell - woodsy candles or flowery potpourri are perfect ways to accent your home.

5.  Shop your kitchen!  Use baskets of fruit such as oranges, lemons or limes to create a fresh look in the dining area.

What ideas do you have for bringing the outside in?

Spring Cleaning - A Little Easier

Spring cleaning may not be everyone's favorite activity but it is an important way to maintain your home and keep its value with minimal effort.

In order to get the most cleaning done in the least amount of time we've provided some cleaning hacks that may just help move quickly enough to enjoy the rest of your weekend!

• Clean your kitchen sink with half a lemon to remove water stains and add a fresh, citrus scent.
• Dust baseboards with dryer sheets to prevent more dust from piling up later.
• Use a rubberband to attach a towel to the end of the broom. Use this to reach high up places and remove cob webs or dust.
• Remove clutter. Simply organizing makes your room feel cleaner.
• Don't forget to clean your dishwasher! Put a dishwasher safe cup filled with white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher and run a cycle through.
• Tackle your grimy and foggy shower glass with equal parts of vinegar and dish soap. Spray over glass and let sit for two hours to reveal shiny, sparkly clean! 
• Use glass cleaner to make your stainless steel appliances shine.
• Use a squeegee on carpet and furniture to remove pet hair.

How do you spring clean? Any tips or tricks that work for you?

Easter Party Treats!

Are you hosting friends or family this Easter? Think outside the egg and spice up your usual dinner plans.  Take a look at some unique ways to have a very "hoppy" Easter.

The Language of Mortgages

Often one of the most intimidating parts of the home buying process is applying for a mortgage.  To help diffuse some of the mystery surrounding this step, we've provided definitions for some of the most commonly used mortgage terminology.

• Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) - A type of loan where the interest rate changes periodically based on a standard financial index
• Closing Costs - Costs to both the buyer and seller that occur during the home buying process. This includes items such as fees, insurance, escrow and taxes
• Down Payment - A portion of the purchase price of the home that is paid up front without financing
• Escrow - An account where money for taxes and insurance is held until it needs to be paid
• Fixed Rate Mortgage - As opposed to an ARM, a Fixed Rate Mortgage has an interest rate that does not change for the duration of the mortgage
• Good Faith Estimate - An estimate of closing costs provided to the buyer from the lender
• Principal - The amount of debt that needs to be paid, not including interest
• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) - Sometimes required if the buyer cannot provide at least a 20% down payment, PMI protects the lender against possible default

Which financing terms do you struggle with the most?  We can help provide information to make the process less intimidating!