Here in the River Valley, we’ve waited a long — and we mean long — time for summer, so kick it off in style next week for your 4th of July outdoor get-together. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or fussy. The point is to have fun. Our top five tips for outdoor entertaining can help. 1. Define your space. Decide where in your yard you want people to gather. If it’s a cozy few, perhaps you just want to use your deck or patio, in which case your space is already defined for you. If you... read more

We’ve all heard those horror stories about buying or selling a home: buying too high, selling too low, buying a house full of issues, financing that never materializes. Buying or selling a home can be stressful enough without any of those surprises. Following these four simple tips can help you avoid about 90 percent of the most common problems. USE AN AGENT. For most, buying or selling a home is the biggest financial transaction they’ll ever make. It just makes sense to have an expert at your side. Ag... read more

Here’s what you should know about iBuyers If you’ve paid attention to the real estate industry at all lately, you may have noticed the increased popularity of iBuyers, or online investment firms that buy and sell properties. And they do it quickly. By leveraging algorithms, they swiftly determine the value of a property and extend an automated offer. Sounds great if you’re selling and need to move fast, right? That may be true, but there are several things you should know and understand about iBuy... read more

It seems like home prices are arbitrary these days, with luck playing more of a role than any other factor. How can I possibly know at what price I should list my home?One of the best ways to determine the true market value of your home is to look at how much comparable homes in your area are selling for. You’ll want homes that are similar in size and features and that have sold recently under current market conditions. Consider lot location, size and view. Consider the home’s square footage and the num... read more

Whether selling your home, or just updating its look, here are the hot colors today.Your home is a reflection of yourself — so whether you’re a trendy interior design diva or prone to treasure a classic style, chances are your home sends that message loud and clear. But when it’s time to sell or update your property, you want it to be a reflection of what’s on trend, too. And nothing updates your home’s interior quite like an on-trend splash of paint. So grab your brushes and put on yo... read more