Posts with tag 'Homeowner'

When you need to have a home office, you may have to think creatively to transform your space. A functional, attractive home office is easy enough to achieve if you have a spare bedroom, but if you don't, you'll need to be a bit more resourceful.

Our REALTORS® recommend the following 5 ways to add a home office space to your house:

1. A spare corner
   If you don't have a separate room to dedicate to a home office space, a spare corner can be used. Fortunately, this is a very economical option, since all you need are some basics such as a desk, shelves, and storage cabinets. Some artwork and/or paint can help spruce up the space, and if you don't like the idea of facing the wall, simply turn your desk around so it's facing the room. And if you have your choice of which room to put your corner office in, choose one that isn't constantly filled with chatter and other distractions.

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Although it can be a result of a rather unfortunate life event, inheriting a house can change your life forever. If you are in a position to determine what to do with the property, an inherited home can be a cornerstone of your long-term financial well-being. We understand that such a sudden change can be overwhelming, and you may have many factors to consider when you're deciding what to do with this inheritance. With this in mind, Our REALTORS® have five pieces of advice they give all of our clients to help them decide whether it's in their best interest to sell it, rent it, or keep it as a primary residence.

1. Accurately Assess the Debt Situation
   It can be difficult to process this when you're going through a period of grieving, but in some cases, an inheritance can be more of a burden than a helping hand. Before you make any plans for the disposition of the property, you need to get a handle on any debt that you inherited along with it. Does the property currently have a mortgage, or is it paid off? If it does have a mortgage, does it have sufficient equity to make a sale profitable? Were any financial instruments such as a reverse mortgage used to leverage this equity? Can you afford the mortgage payments every month? The answers to these questions will be crucial when you're deciding what to do next.

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When you look at your property, it's easy to imagine where the property lines might fall, based on the location of fences or the line where you stop mowing your lawn and your neighbor starts. However, the actual property lines may differ from appearances, and in some situations, property lines can become a point of contention between neighbors.

Whether you're looking to start an outdoor project, buy/sell a home, avoid conflict with neighbors, or simply know exactly where the property line lies for potential future projects, taking the time to determine your property lines is a must-do for any responsible homeowner. But how do you do it? Our REALTORS® are here to help, with a guide to determining the property lines for your home.

• Why It's Important to Know Your Property Lines
  For most homeowners, backyard projects and good relationships with neighbors are both important parts of owning a home... so you wouldn't want one to get in the way of the other. Determining property lines makes it easier to work on projects on the edge of your property, without worrying whether you're encroaching on your neighbor's land, or worse having to start a project all over because you started building without knowing the boundaries. Building a pool, fence, or other projects in the wrong place can be costly, and cause conflict in the neighborhood, so it's better to learn exactly where property lines lie.

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Winter in Ohio can bring low temperatures and blankets of snow to the doorsteps of every Mansfield home. With plenty of cold mornings and frosty nights ahead, our REALTORS® are here to help you stay warm indoors. Here are six easy tips for keeping your Ohio home cozy all winter long.

1. Use Your Windows Wisely
   Depending on the time of the day, your windows can cause your home to either retain or lose heat. Take advantage of the sunlight during the day and allow it to stream through your windows. However, when the sun sets, use thick curtains to prevent heat from escaping through the window panes.

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A new year means a new beginning, and maybe this year is time to try something a little different. Instead of the usual New Year's resolutions we make for ourselves – losing weight, kicking a bad habit – how about making a few resolutions for your house? 

With a new year about to begin, now is the perfect time to think about how you want to make your house better in the future. Maybe you want to protect it from the elements, update some features, or finally tackle that DIY project you've been putting off. In any case, these are a few resolutions our REALTORS® recommend considering for your list!

• Budget for Home Improvements
  Tackling DIY projects can be daunting, especially from a financial perspective. A great way to deal with the costs of home improvements is to lay out your budget at the beginning of the year, including a list of what you want to improve, how much it will cost, and how you will set aside the necessary funds. This will prevent overspending, and also give you extra motivation to get the job done.
  
  

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