Vikas Gupta, Realtor

11/02/2018

Do you love to entertain, but need more kitchen space and appliances? A butler’s pantry may be the solution.

The focal point of the home is the kitchen, where family and friends gather to share food, drink and fun. But if you like to entertain guests, even a large kitchen can become congested, especially if you are preparing and replenishing food throughout the event. Adding a butler’s pantry may be the ...

10/31/2018

Hope your Halloween is all treats and no tricks!

10/29/2018

The home appraiser can make or break the deal on your house. Here’s what you need to know about the process and how it can affect you.

How much is a home worth? That’s the crucial question asked by home buyers and their lenders in a sales transaction. It’s up to a professional real estate appraiser to analyze the property and market data to come up with the market value, which can dramatically change the outcome of a deal. What...

10/27/2018

Choosing the right grass is an important first step to a lush lawn. Here’s a region-by-region guide to find the best grass for your home.

If a beautiful lawn is important to you, it’s time to study up on what type of grasses thrive — and which don’t — in your region of the country. Much progress has been made developing grasses that are drought tolerant and resistant to diseases, but you still must choose according to your cli...

10/26/2018

Clear out the clutter and let in the sunshine! Turn your basement into a place for fun and relaxation.

If you’re lucky enough to have an unfinished basement in your home, have you ever considered converting that space into a bonus living area? With some diligent clutter busting and clever design work, you could add a whole new dimension to your home. The possibilities. If you have an existing basem...

10/24/2018

In the world of real estate, counting rooms in a house isn’t as easy as it sounds. Make a mistake and it could cost you thousands.

When selling your house, does room count matter? What defines a room? And who gets to decide? What does the appraiser say? And how much will it affect my bottom dollar? Whose definition? Although there is some general agreement in the real estate world on what counts as a room, it can vary by state....

10/22/2018

Find out how buying a home can minimize the sting of the IRS.

For most people, their home is their biggest investment -- and their biggest tax benefits. As always, it’s best to consult your tax adviser for specific information, but let’s walk through the most common, basic tax savings of homeownership.

10/20/2018

Is it true that homes sell better in the spring and summer months? Are there any advantages to buying or selling in the fall and winter? Here’s what you need to know.

The conventional wisdom is true — home sales are cyclical. Listings surge in the spring and buyers more actively shop for new houses between March and August. The weather is nicer and families with children prefer to move before the start of a new school year. But is it the best time of year to .....

10/15/2018

It pays to know your mortgage lingo. Find out why prequalification is great, but preapproval is far better.

One of the most important steps in the home-shopping process is for buyers to have an initial assessment of their ability to get a mortgage. As a buyer, already having a letter from a lender in hand means you can move quickly when you find the home you want. As a seller, having a buyer …

10/13/2018

Are you shivering at the thought of winter’s arrival? Learn how to stay warm and cozy with these sure-fire tips.

As fall fades from the calendar, it’s time to get your house in shape for winter. From annual furnace inspections to protecting your outside faucets and pipes, here’s a handy to-do list to keep everyone in your family warm and dry until spring. Schedule an inspection of your furnace in the early...

10/12/2018

Rolling out improvements in home insulation - find out what’s new and eco-friendly.

Keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer depends on a whole system of comfort engineering. Chief among the components is insulation, the blanket of material in the walls and attic that resists the flow of heat transference from outside to inside and vice versa. Technology and the move tow...

10/10/2018

Before you sink a small fortune into renovating your home, check out this list of improvements that may not provide an adequate return at resale.

Before jumping into a home remodeling project, think hard about the reasons behind your proposed renovations. If an anticipated big payoff at resale time is one of your top priorities, you might want to reconsider. Here are a few of the biggest home improvement losers: