Real Estate Articles and Advice (page 2)
The Popularity of Birdwatching
By Chris Petry Unless you suffer from an unfortunate case of Ornithophobia, or the fear of birds, you likely don’t mind the sight of your state’s native birds, fluttering about your property. Sure, no one likes power washing the deck after the geese return from the Great North but birds, with their varied plumage and graceful whirling and twirling have an intriguing, if curious, all
Are Micro Homes Still a Thing?
By Chris Petry Even before Covid, and the resulting economic crisis, micro homes were everywhere. Whether that’s attributable to growing economic concerns like inflation and the cost of housing, a greater awareness of humanity’s carbon footprint, or the wholesale embrace of architectural minimalism, miniscule homes have received a lot of coverage in recent years. Accord
Should I Purchase an Investment Property?
By Chris Petry Let’s get the big question out of the way first: just what is an investment property? Simply put, investment properties are properties purchased or otherwise acquired with the sole intention of generating income. That could mean they intend to flip it, rent it out, or repurpose it for business purposes. Despite the fact that, here we go again, interest rates are a little hi
Should I Renovate or Buy a New Home?
It seems we’re always discussing the benefits of buying versus renting and vice versa. Yet, we rarely discuss the conundrum that faces millions of homeowners every day: should you renovate your existing home to suit your needs or find a new one where the needs will already be met? There’s certainly a lot to consider. Are market conditions optimal for a move? The answer to
The 4th of July is the Perfect Time to Sell
Every July 4th, you’ll see sign after sign, ad after ad, promoting some of the year’s biggest sales. It might even be the biggest consumer spending window of the year, after Black Friday. Mattresses, automobiles, grills, furniture… it’s all on sale. Act Now! If you think about it, is there any better day to capitalize on the culture of American consumerism than the day we
Heat Proofing Your Home
By Chris Petry Well, despite heavy rain providing a temporary respite, it looks like we’re in for another scorcher of a summer. According to predictions from AccuWeather, average daytime temperatures are tracking at 2-4 degrees higher than average. Which doesn’t seem like a lot except the average has been creeping upward for the last several years. So, what can you do to beat the im
Artwork and Its Value When Selling a Home
By Chris Petry When we think of the things that tend to add value to homes, it’s rare that we consider personal effects. It makes sense. Possessions go into boxes and those boxes are transported to the owner’s new home where they’ll be filed, stored, or displayed once more. What if I told you, however, that the mere presence of certain possessions on a home tour or in a listin
Woodland Safety Tips Summer 2024
By Chris Petry Summertime is outdoor time. While most of us will probably spend that time lying on a beach with a never-ending stream of cocktails, some of us will prefer to journey into the wild untamed wilderness to reclaim our place in nature. Okay, let’s be honest, most of us will never step off the gravel of a half-mile loop at the local park but that doesn’t mean there’s
What Kind of Deck or Patio is Right for Me?
By Chris Petry Okay people, we made it. It’s officially the first week of June, which means summer (regardless of the actual calendar date) is in full swing. If you’re one of those “ordinary” folks, you’re probably looking forward to spending a large portion of your off time outside, soaking up generous doses of ultraviolet radiation. If you’re like me, you&r
A Dream Home on the Water
By Chris Petry Despite a lack of fins, gils, or webbed appendages, humans sure do love spending time on the water. In fact, we built the whole of civilization around it. Of course, in those days, water was the most efficient method of travel and transport so it makes perfect sense that New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Austin… you name it, were erected on the banks o
