A pool can be a selling point for a home, but proper care is key. Some homeowners could be going about their pool maintenance all wrong, which could result in costly leaks or even skin irritations to those who jump in. An article at realtor.com® recently highlighted some common slip-ups, including:Using the wrong chemicalsMixing the wrong chemical balance can cause eye and skin irritation and deteriorate the materials in the pool, which can lea
One of the fastest growing cybercrimes in the U.S. is wire fraud in real estate. About 9,600 people were victims of wire fraud in the real estate and rental sector in 2017, with losses of more than $56 million, according to FBI data.The highest reported fraud in real estate last year was Business Email Compromise/Email Account Compromise. Fraudsters will assume the identity of the title or real estate agent and forge the person’s email and othe
Several vintage and retro elements from the 1960s or even 1930s are oozing back into kitchen design. Realtor.com®’s Jamie Wiebe recently highlighted a few of these comeback trends, including:Decorative flooring: Vintage black-and-white and patterned tiling are making big statements in kitchens once again. Hardwood flooring may be the norm in new-home builds, but more renovators are opting for decorative flooring styles that were once common i
Graffiti can be a difficult issue for property owners. Graffiti is often vandalism that could be associated with gang-related origins. However, some graffiti is viewed as legitimate art created by street artists with local or even national reputations. If you or your clients own a property with graffiti images, you must first determine whether it was done with or without permission.Graffiti vandalism is a criminal act done without an owner’s pe
For green, vibrant grass, it is essential for homeowners to learn about aerating, seeding, and watering their lawns to keep the curb appeal intact, according to realtor.com®’s Lawn Lover’s Guide.“When you don’t give your lawn enough water, it grows with shallow roots,” says Don Botts, the president of Quality All-Care Services in Bonner Springs, Kan. “This can stunt the growth of your grass and make it harder for your lawn to su
Smart-home gadgetry and design trends emphasizing openness are leading to more noise disturbances, such as echoes, inside homes. Some homeowners are even hiring “acoustic consultants” to help alleviate the issues.A common noise-prone living arrangement is an open floor plan with a minimalist design, where more emptiness and fewer items of furniture enable reverberations inside the home. It can make make it difficult for owners to pick up othe
Home improvement reality television shows have long misguided consumers about the renovation process. You likely have some clients who are obsessed with channels such as HGTV, and they may have developed some common misunderstandings about the real time and effort it takes to undergo remodeling a home. Fox News recently highlighted several myths these shows tend to generate.The answer to creating more space is always to knock down walls. Designe
Grab your selfie stick, because June 30 is Social Media Day. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest have become vital for real estate marketers to get their content out to their audience and connect with prospective clients.“Hopefully, if you’re an agent, you spend more time on social media doing business than scrolling through feeds,” says Grant Findlay-Shirras, co-founder of Parkbench.com, a rea
Outdoor projects can help boost a home’s value by up to 10 percent, according to a new realtor.com® report. Outdoor showers, barbecue stations, entertainment pools, and firepits are the top projects that realtor.com® researchers found with the biggest potential increases to a home’s price.For its research, realtor.com® analyzed listings at its site for summer-related outdoor features in single-family homes listed for $150,000 or more.An ou
What makes a state great for homeowners? According to SmartAsset, a personal finance site, home price growth as well as affordability, and low foreclosures, property taxes, closing costs, and low burglary rates are among the characteristics that make homeownership an attractive investment.To find all of that, you may want to look in the Midwest, according to the analysis. But Western regions also hold quite a few spots on SmartAsset’s “Best S
This website includes images sourced from third party websites including Adobe, Getty Images, and as otherwise noted.
