Cynthia Akins, Realtor

06/09/2026

In a hurry to dispose of your clutter? A well-planned garage sale is a quick way to unload your stuff. Here’s a step-by-step how-to.

Once you’ve cleaned and organized your house from top to bottom, what is the best way to get rid of all your unwanted junk? If time is of the essence, donate it all to a favorite charity thrift shop. But if you’d like to recoup some of the money you spent, try a garage sale. Here’s how to clea...

06/07/2026

No room for baby? No problem. Check out these tips for carving out a space for the newest member of the family.

You’re expecting a baby but don’t have a designated room for a nursery? Relax. With a little creativity, flexibility, and our handy list of suggestions, making space for your newest member of the family will be easier than you think. Stick to the essentials. Limit baby’s belongings to what’s...

06/06/2026

Here’s how to build great neighborhood relationships that pay real dividends.

Ask homeowners what builds value in their homes and they likely will name things like kitchen upgrades, a new deck or other hard assets. What may not come to mind as readily is the value of having great neighbors. Yet having a harmonious neighborhood pays off in personal satisfaction and ultimately....

06/04/2026

Once you find the perfect house, be just as diligent seeking out the right mortgage. Keep reading - it could save you thousands.

It’s important to shop for the perfect place to call home, but don’t forget to shop around for the best financing, too. The quality of the terms of your mortgage can mean a difference of tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Here are a few tips on finding the best mortgage. Mor...

06/02/2026

What home renovations bring the most value at resale? Read further...you might be surprised.

When contemplating resale, homeowners often wonder what renovations will give them more resale bang for the buck. Let’s take a look at what renovations pay off and some that don’t. Focus on priorities. Although your house is an investment, first and foremost it is your home. Don’t view renovat...

05/31/2026

Is a second home in your future? Here’s the lowdown on mortgage approval and tax implications.

Are you in the market for buying a second home? You probably have lots of questions -- what’s it like to qualify for a mortgage on a second home, and are there still tax advantages? Let’s take a look. Mortgage risk. Since lenders view second homes as being a higher risk for default than first ho...

05/30/2026

An attractive outdoor space can add a great new dimension of living to your home. What’s the best option for you - patio, deck, sunroom or screened porch?

If your home doesn’t have a dedicated place for outdoor living, you might consider adding a deck or patio. Another popular addition is a sunroom or screened area that expands living space, allows lots of outdoor light, but keeps some of the peskier outside elements away. Let’s check out each typ...

05/28/2026

Don’t underestimate the importance of a survey. Learn why a survey is important for your mortgage as well as to protect you from property disputes.

An accurate survey is a crucial step in your home-buying process, making sure you don’t encroach on a neighbor’s property -- or vice versa. A mistake in the survey can cause legal problems later. Here’s what you need to know now to avoid problems later. Location, shape and size. A survey will ...

05/26/2026

Congratulations! Your house is under contract. Now learn about the avalanche of paperwork and tasks that lead to a successful closing.

The moment a sales contract is signed, the clock begins ticking for both buyer and seller to fulfil contractual obligations. The seller must provide important documents to the buyer. Many, but not all, of these items are procured by the title company or attorney hired to facilitate the transaction.

05/25/2026

Please honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom on this Memorial Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/memorial_day