Some local governments require that sellers provide buyers with a detailed home inspection while giving the buyer the option to obtain their own inspection. In other parts of the country, the seller only provides disclosures, and the buyer pays for their own home inspection.

Whether you're producing a seller's home inspection for the buyer or expecting the buyer's home inspector to show up on your doorstep, it's best to be prepared!


1. Clean the house. 
A clean home says that you care about the house. It's a good idea to make a good impression. Don't make the mistake of thinking inspectors can see past dirt and clutter, because they can't.

2. Be on Time
Have the house ready for inspection at 8:30 if an inspector makes an appointment with you for 9:00 a.m. Sometimes home inspectors are early. It's also common for inspectors to start on the exterior of the home, so leave the shades down or drapes drawn until you're dressed. More than one unprepared seller ...

Choosing a buyer's agent is an integral part of the home buying process



This is, after all, the person that you will be working with to help you find your dream home.  Doesn't it make sense to meet with them first to ensure that they know what you're even looking for in your next home?



When asked to meet prior to viewing a property that you see online or drive by, look at this as a sign that the Buyer's Agent is invested in putting themselves to work for you. This consultation is useful to clarify the home buying process, setting expectations on both sides, and laying the foundation for a smooth, happy client/agent relationship.



Every home buying process has a unique set of opportunities and challenges, and can be stressful for buyers and sellers, and sometimes even the agents involved. You are not only choosing an agent, you are also choosing a trusted advisor, and putting a plan in place up front will help ensure a smooth, and more enjoyable, transaction.&nb ...

As you make payments against your mortgage, you build equity in your home. This equity can be used to secure future loans, making it easier to refinance your home or cover certain other expenses. Depending on your needs, you might consider taking out a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). The question is, which one is the better option for your current situation?





This is actually kind of a tricky question. Let’s look at what the differences are between these two ways of using equity and the situations that each is best for. That should give you a good idea of exactly how well each option fits your needs so you can choose the home equity solution that’s best for you.


What Is a Home Equity Loan?
As the name implies, a home equity loan is a loan that uses the equity you’ve built in your home as collateral. As with other standard loans, when you’re approved for the loan you receive the entire amount of the loan as a lump sum pay ...

Thanksgiving is on its way, and for most of us, that means turkey. In recent years, fried turkey has grown significantly in popularity; this has led to a lot more people deciding to pick up a large fryer and try their hand at frying their own at home. Unfortunately, this has led to a sharp increase in fryer-related accidents as well. Nothing can ruin a Thanksgiving faster than fryer incidents that result in burns, fires or other serious problems.





To that end, let’s look at a few ways to keep your turkey-frying adventures safe. Whether you’re a first-time fryer or a seasoned turkey-frying pro, here are some things to keep in mind to help keep your holiday safe.


Picking the Right Fryer
There are a few different options available when it comes to turkey fryers. You can opt for a propane fryer that heats with a burner or an electric fryer that you need to plug in. Regardless of the option you choose, make sure that it has temperature controls so that you can ke ...