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Showing posts with the label First Home

Fixer Upper vs. Move-In Ready: Which One Is Right For You?

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When it comes to buying real estate, you want to make sure the property you purchase is the right fit for your needs. For some buyers, purchasing a home that needs some work is the ideal situation. For others, getting a turnkey home that’s move-in ready is the only option they’ll consider. And for still others, both seem like reasonable options. The question is: which is for you? There are pros and cons to both  fixer uppers and move-in ready homes. The important thing is to recognize which is the best fit for you, your budget, and what you want out of a home. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of  fixer uppers and move-in ready homes to help you determine which is the better fit for you: Fixer uppers: Fixer uppers are, as the name implies, homes that need a bit of TLC – or fixing up – upon move in. Pros: Discounted price The major draw of fixer uppers is the price. Since they need work, you can typically get a fixer upper at a fraction of the cost ...

Groundhogs and Real Estate (Yes, There's a Connection)

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Do you believe whether a groundhog sees its shadow or not is a true indication of when Spring will come? A lot of people aren’t even sure, which means we’re going to have more winter. But even if you do, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. If it’s sunny, and he sees his shadow, that means a longer winter. If it’s cloudy and he doesn’t see his shadow, it means Spring will come sooner. That seems totally backwards. And then there are lots of different groundhogs… which are you supposed to believe? Groundhogs Don’t Predict Spring Truth is, Spring never actually comes sooner, even if every single groundhog doesn’t see his shadow. It begins on a specific calendar day. Now the weather on the other hand, that’s a different story. The weather will be what it will be. Weather is something people make small talk about. But a groundhog predicting it!? Meteorologists can barely do it. So, most people don’t put a whole lot of stock in what the groundhogs “say” on Groundhog Day. ...

5 Tips for Maximizing a Small Kitchen

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5 Tips for Maximizing a Small Kitchen Does your dream home come with a small kitchen? Not to fear! There are plenty of ways to get the most out of the tight space. You just have to get creative. Check out these tips! 1. Lighten up the area. Bright and light always opens up a space. Choose white or bright colors for the walls then pair that with unique overhead and under cabinet lighting. Don't forget to oopen up any windows or glass doors to bring in natural light. 2. Get strategic with storage. Maximize the storage space you have by hanging items on the inside of lower cabinet doors or adding additional shelves to higher cabinets. Install a magnetic strip to a wall and use that to store your knives instead of the counter-top or hang cutting boards and pots and pans from the wall or overhead. 3. Use your oven. Not one to make things in the oven often? Consider using it to store your pots and pans. Then remove the items before you use it. 4. Purchase a mobil...

Open House - Trick or Treat!

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New listing! Take a peek at this great home and you might even be surprised with a $25 Starbucks giftcard! Take a look at this beautiful home! Get your first peek this weekend! 1964 Sakina St, El Cajon CA, 92019 Trick or Treat at the First Open Houses!  11 a.m - 3 p.m. Saturday 10/26  &  Sunday 10/27 Check out the Facebook Event! A highly desirable single-level, ranch-style home located in a private community off Vista Grande.  This beautiful home has a great layout, with a separate guest room and bathroom away from the rest of the living quarters.  Perfect for a multi-generational family.  This 4 bed, 2 1 /2 bath ...  2,491-square-foot home sits on a level 1 /2-acre lot with a pool  and plenty of room for RV parking and off-road vehicles. Large 2-car garage with a private room for an office or hobby. Near excellent schools and shopping center. Want to learn more  #bettercallbo...

Pumpkin Carving Ideas

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It’s that time again. Soon, the cutest ghouls and goblins will be prancing from door to door asking for tricks or treats. Here’s some inspiration to make your carvings stand out from the rest! 1. This image is based on Jack from “The Nightmare before Christmas.” 2. For the little ghouls who like to rock out. 3. This one would be perfect with a recording of “I am Groot!” playing in the darkness. 4. What kid doesn’t love this hedgehog? 5. Maybe add a sign: “Warning – this pumpkin will eat all your treats!” 6. Here’s one for the Trekkie parents. 7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Pumpkins. 8. Transformers can literally transform out of anything… 9. Give this one a saxophone! 10. Hobbes wants out! 11. This is what Jack-O’-Lanterns look like in Hawaii. 12. Now that’s creative. 13. Carve this if you don’t want parents letting their kids ask for candy from you. 14. Beware: hungry pumpkins. 15. Here’s what they carve i...

Organize Your Closet Like A Pro

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Do you desire a closet that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine? Then we have you covered! Follow the tips below to masterfully organize your closet and give yourself peace of mind. Group like clothing items together. Group same-length dresses, long-sleeved shirts, blouses, pants, etc. together in your closet to both save space and create an aesthetically-pleasing look. Add an extra bar. Need more hanging room? You can find additional closet bars in-store or online for under $20 and installation is fairly quick and easy. Then hang t-shirts, blouses, jackets, and more on the lower bar. Keep things uniform. Although you may have to spend a little more upfront, purchasing matching hangers, organizers, and storage boxes will give your closet a cleaner look. Invest in special hangers, dividers, and organizers. Purchase a few items to make closet organization a breeze, such as a space-saving pants organizer, shelf dividers to keep t-shirts, towels, or sweaters in place, or multi...

Can You Afford That House?

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CAN YOU AFFORD THAT HOUSE? By: Mary Beth Storjohann, Workable Wealth If you’re considering purchasing a home, you’ve likely already considered how much you have available for a down payment, what an ideal mortgage payment would be, and how much home you can actually afford based on your monthly income. But what about your lifestyle? Have you considered how much wiggle room you need to leave in your home budget to enjoy life? Here are six life factors to consider when buying a home: #1 Travel Travel is an important goal for many people. Think about the travel goals you have for yourself: Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? How long are your ideal trips? How much money would you need on an annual basis to make your travel goals possible? Is this already factored into your budget or will you need to cut back on travel to fund your monthly mortgage payment and home expenses? There are no right or wrong answers, but it’s important to reflect on your prioritie...