High Tech Homebuying

Buying a new home has gone high tech! With your handy smartphone you can find tons of information that will help your home buying process.  Make sure to download these apps before you go shopping!

1. Home Search Apps

Home search apps like Zillow and Realtor.com provide up to date real estate information such as price, square footage, location and home description.  You can specifically look for new homes to make your search even easier.

2. Dwellr

Dwellr is an app that lets you know about the neighborhood your potential home is located in. Using Census data you can find out some demographic information about the community around you.

3. GreatSchools

Learn about the schools your home is zoned for with this helpful education app. Schools are rated and compare to other schools in the area.

4. Houzz

Interested in how to outfit your new home? Find decor ideas on this helpful app full of images of interior and exterior dream homes.

5. Mortgage Calculator by Quicken Loans

Time to run the numbers? Use the mortgage calculator app to calculate monthly payment, estimate your interest rate and down payment.

Carpet Care

Carpet is an often overlooked but important aspect of your home's style.  Stained or dirty carpet can set the wrong tone for your home and with some usual maintenance can be avoided. Here are a few tips to keep your carpet looking new!

1. Use mats outside and inside of your doors to prevent some dirt from coming in. This is a first line of defense for carpet care. Try to remove shoes when indoors.

2. Vacuum high traffic areas daily and all other areas on a weekly schedule.  Vacuuming prevents ground in dirt from cutting and tearing at the carpet fibers. Take your time and make sure each area is cleaned thoroughly.

3. If you notice a piece of the carpet coming loose or unraveling - do not pull! Clip with scissors to remove.

4. UV rays from sunshine can distort the color of your carpet and prematurely age the carpet. Close your blinds when leaving home for the day.

5. Stains happen but it's important to react quickly. Blot the stain to remove as much as possible. If a chemical spot remover is needed follow instructions carefully.

Housing Heats Up!

The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index released this week showed a national increase in home prices, up by 5% since March.  This brings prices to within 4% of their peak in 2006 - a far cry from the decline of 30% in 2012.

New home sales were up 17% in April - the strongest month in eight years.  What's driving the market? High demand and low supply. Improving economic indicators such as falling unemployment and low mortgage rates are helping to boost sales as well.

So what does this mean for you? If you're in the market for a new home - be prepared and do your research. Get pre-qualified or talk to a lender about a good faith estimate.  Work on any potential credit issues and understand what you will or won't compromise on in a home.

Home prices have been increasing steadily for the last 12 month so the time to buy is now before they increase again!

Memorial Day Tribute

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending this country - our brave servicemen and women who fought for our freedom and gave us this land that we know today. Please reflect on these series of quotes and remember what was sacrificed for us.

I have long believed that sacrifice is the pinnacle of patriotism. - Bob Riley

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America. - Bill Clinton

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. - Joseph Campbell

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened. - Billy Graham

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. - John F. Kennedy

BBQ with a Bang!

Memorial Day - the unofficial start of summer. A weekend full of family, friends and BBQ.  How about switching up your usual BBQ staples to include some of these fun foods for a crowd?

Grilled Corn. Add some sizzle to this summer staple! Other vegetables you can throw on the grill? Peppers, asparagus and tomatoes!

No good BBQ is complete without seasonal fruits! Use a watermelon to display them.

Cool down with Cucumber salad - cucumber, onions, tomato and italian dressing.

Finish off the celebration with a sweet treat! Strawberry kabobs with marshmallow and brownie pieces!

Pressure Washing Dangers

Longer days, warmer temperatures - a perfect recipe for getting outside and taking care of those chores around the house.  One that can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal? Cleaning your siding!

Pressure washing is often the recommended technique for cleaning the exterior of your home but it can come at a cost. The force of pressure washing can cause water to get behind your siding or even through the mortar in your brick to cause moisture build up in your walls.  Pressure washing can rip window screens or break the seal of your double-pane windows.

So what are your alternatives? Thankfully there are other ways to safely clean your home!

Before beginning - check the manufactures guidelines for your particular type of siding. Before using a cleaning agent test it on an inconspicuous spot and let it sit for 24-48 hours.

The Vinyl Siding Institute recommends using a soft cloth or long handled bristle brush. Start at the bottom of your house and work up - rinsing as you go.

To remove mold or mildew use a solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water.

If you're not into DIY cleaning - contact a company that specializes in "no pressure" washing. Look for warranty or guarantees to ensure you choose someone who will stand by their work.

Steal the Look!

One of the hottest TV shows around right now is HGTV's Fixer Upper. If you haven't tuned in yet, the premise of the show is all about renovation and restoration.  Chip and Joanna Gaines of Waco, TX, take outdated and overlooked homes and make them look amazing! Check it out when you can.

If you are already a fan you may wonder how you can steal the Fixer Upper look for your own home. Here are a few tips!



1. Decorate your walls with vintage maps, clocks, mirrors and uplifting quotes.

2. Incorporate open shelving where possible - especially in the kitchen.

3. Accent each room with greenery - real where possible, wildflowers are always in style!

4. Use neutral colors with bright accent pieces such as textured pillows or rugs.

5. Group together like items to create fun and functional vignettes.

How do you incorporate your sense of style at home?