Instead of shopping for a sparkly engagement ring, today many couples in a committed relationship are in the market for something equally shiny and precious: the keys to a newly purchased home. A 2013 Marriage and Homebuying Study from Coldwell Banker Real Estate found that one in four couples between the ages of 18 and 34 bought a house together before they were married. That compares with 14 percent of those aged 45 and older. One of the most compelling forces motivating this decision is our still-low mortgage rate environment. Other advantages include the ability to deduct mortgage interest from income taxes and the ability to build … [Read more...]

Nothing is more inviting than a home brimming with greenery, twinkling lights and holiday decorations. Although the holiday season can be a hectic time to show and sell your house, there are distinct advantages to staging and showing your home at this time of year – you have a chance to show your home at its very best, adorned with warmth and cheer that’s sure to charm. Read on to learn how to sell your home in winter, and when you are ready to put your house on the market make sure to give us here at Dave Thompson Realty a call!   Inviting and Warm First impressions are important. If you live in a snowy area, make sure … [Read more...]

Tips on staging your home for sale in Winter.   Just your luck — you have to sell your home in winter, the slowest and dreariest sales season of all. But cheer up. You can use staging, the reduced competition and some seasonal opportunities to your advantage.   "You wouldn't necessarily choose to sell your home in winter," says Katie Severance, a broker for ReMax in Upper Montclair, N.J. "But there are certain extra steps you can take to really help your chances."   Many homeowners pull their houses off the market by year's end if they haven't sold. That's understandable. The period from Thanksgiving … [Read more...]

The top 10 things you need to know when buying a house.   1. Don't buy if you can't stay put. If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner - even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it's an even worse proposition.   2. Start by shoring up your credit. Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house … [Read more...]

Fall into good habits this autumn! Follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe and healthy. Keep your kids safe and healthy. Get involved with your kids’ activities at home and at school to help ensure they are safe and healthy. Autumn Games and Health Tips for Kids and Parents Autumn Tips to Help Keep Your Kids Safe and Healthy Safe and Healthy Kids and Teens Adolescent and School Health Learn to Prevent and Recognize Concussions Parent Portal Child Passenger Safety Ways to Engage in Your Child's School to Support Student Health and Learning  Take steps to prevent the flu. The single best way to protect … [Read more...]

Let's just cut to the chase -- it's freezing out and we wish our homes could be a little warmer. And while we all know the standard practices from adjusting the thermostat to making sure our windows are sealed and lighting a fire, there are definitely some tricks we're missing.   1. Close off unused rooms. Keeping doors closed won't just prevent cold air from moving into the rest of the house -- it will help contain the heat you've generated (whether it be from a fireplace, radiator or elsewhere).   2. Set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise. Whether you know it or not, your ceiling fan needs to be changed … [Read more...]

By Layla Palmer, The Lettered Cottage   Ready to give your home a mini makeover for fall? Here are 10 autumn-inspired home decorating ideas we love.   Faux-liage Add an autumnal touch to an open bookcase with silk fall leaves, which you can find at your local craft store. Whether they're pressed inside a picture frame or strategically placed along the shelves, autumn-colored leaves are sure to pump up the fall factor. Design by Layla Palmer   Paper Pretties Fall decorating doesn't have to be expensive, especially if your material of choice is paper. Book pages, framed silhouettes and a colorful pennant … [Read more...]