Author Archives: Sabrina Mapes

Every house hunt starts with a dream, one that can easily escalate into pure fantasy. Homebuyers, particularly first-timers, often harbor visions of purchasing the perfect house, in a great neighborhood, for a bargain price. All that might have been achievable—with some luck—in the past. But in today’s hot seller’s market, once buyers move beyond mooning over […]

Ready for the snap, crackle and pop of a roaring fire? Here’s everything you need to know. Fireplaces are one of the most sought-after home features, but using one can be intimidating, and you’ve probably got questions. Here’s a quick guide to get you and your fire started this fall. How do I use a wood-burning […]

Learn how to seal drafty windows and heat your home more efficiently. Before the cold sets in, it’s important to ensure that your home remains comfortable despite the outside temperatures. You can check for proper insulation and perform HVAC maintenance tasks, but it’s also important to take a close look at your windows. Windows with air leaks […]

Moving is often one of the most stressful and emotional life events. Try these strategies to stay calm. Moving can be one of the most exciting times in life, but it can also be one of the most stressful. In a Zillow survey of recent movers, about half said they experienced stress (55%) and anxiety (48%) […]

If you fall in love with a feature or appliance during the open house, ask your agent to find out if it’s in the real estate contract. When you buy a house, you don’t get everything in it. The official real estate term for the inclusion of an item with a property is “convey.” As […]

Cooler weather is coming — prep your home for its arrival while it’s still nice outside. The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting cooler. Fall has arrived, and it’s time to think about getting your home and yard ready for the seasonal changes ahead. Take care of these 12 tasks to get your […]

Who has time for decorating when your weekends are packed with apple-picking and tailgating? You do. It’s time to put down your pumpkin-scented beverage of choice, and gather some actual pumpkins. That’s how easy it can be to find fall decorations that set a festive tone for the season. Focus on adding simple decor to […]

Deciding whether you should buy or sell your house first should be based on your finances, moving timeline and the market conditions of your current and future homes. Generally, selling first benefits sellers of homes in buyers markets and buying first benefits sellers of homes in sellers markets. Buying and selling at the same time is […]

Over the next few weeks and months, the long-overheated U.S. housing market is expected to continue to cool off in the bracing chill of autumn. After a wild year of unprecedented price increases, a worsening shortage of homes for sale, and cutthroat bidding wars where offers six figures over the ask price weren’t uncommon, conditions […]

When buying a home, you’ll probably hear your lender or real estate agent use the word escrow. The term escrow can describe a few different functions, from the time your offer is accepted to the day you close on your home — and even after you become a homeowner with a mortgage. There are essentially two types of escrow […]