I have $500 to spend on my home before I put it on the market. Where should I invest it? Homeowners are often surprised at what some minor improvements can do to increase appeal as well as value to prospective buyers. Even $500 can go a long way. But the best way to invest it will vary from home to home. The best advice is to take a critical look at your home and ask yourself where does it show the most wear? Is it outside or inside? Is it underneath or overhead? The majority of homeowners usually find that $500 is... read more

When it’s time to take out a mortgage loan for your new home or property, your lender is likely to add the insurance premium and property taxes to your mortgage payment. In the process, the lender sets that money aside to make sure both are paid in a timely fashion. It’s in the lender’s interest to provide this service, as it protects them from uninsured losses you incur if you can’t cover them, as well as tax liens that may crop up. As time goes on, your mortgage lender may cover any cost d... read more

For years now, would-be homebuyers in our region have been hunting for the perfect property, only to find limited options for sale. For many, it’s been a discouraging stretch—the super-competitive housing market has left countless eager buyers unable to get an offer accepted, particularly in their targeted price range.   Good news for potential homebuyers, depending on market But there’s good news on the horizon for potential homebuyers in Minnesota and Wisconsin: it looks as if what industr... read more

Whether you’re dreaming of the perfect home for you—with the ideal location and footprint, the must-have boxes ticked and that special something—or you’ve found the home of your dreams, it’s high time to secure the best home loan for you. But with so many options out there, what’s the difference between the loan types? More importantly, how can you know which one is right for you? And where do you begin?   Finding a home loan that fits your needs is essential You’ll b... read more

Let’s be real. After working all week, chauffeuring kids all over the place, and cooking and cleaning up dinner every night, the last thing most of us want to do on the weekend is clean our homes. But after helping thousands of people sell their homes over the past 11 years, we’ve gathered a few pro tips that will help you keep your house in clean show-ready state, even when you’re not trying to sell it.   Tips for keeping a tidy house. While nothing beats a thorough deep clean, following th... read more