Louanne Saraga-Walters, Realtor

03/12/2022

Be sure to move your clocks forward one hour before bed!

03/11/2022

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? How much will it affect my bottom dollar?

03/09/2022

See what’s behind the show business curtain before you decide if house flipping is right for you.

They make it look so easy, those house-flipping shows where they take a wreck of a home, turn it into a dream house, then sell it for a big profit. Have you ever wondered if you were missing out on an opportunity? Let’s pull back the show business curtain and take a look. Overstated drama. […]

03/07/2022

Are home warranties worth the money? Be sure to review the details noted here before purchasing.

Home warranties often provide peace of mind to wary home buyers, but are they worth the cost? Let’s look at how home warranties work and weigh the pros and cons. Home warranty basics. Home warranties provide for the repair of certain systems in a house in exchange for an annual fee of between $300...

03/05/2022

Kitchen faucets have come a long way since grandma’s day. Here’s a guide to today’s latest and greatest sink hardware.

Today’s faucets are attractive, sleek and come in a beautiful array of shapes, sizes and even colors. Perhaps the most eye pleasing are the various swan neck designs, which are popular for their form and function. Available finishes range from nickel and bronze to copper, brass and stainless steel...

03/04/2022

You've probably heard of the MLS related to listing homes, but do you really know what it is and how it can help sell your home?

The Multiple Listing Service, or MLS as it is known in the real estate world, is the No. 1 source of listing information on homes for sale in the United States. Whether buying or selling, the MLS plays a big role in the marketing and sales of homes across the country.

03/02/2022

Dare we say it? Open floor plans aren’t for everyone. Here’s a list of pros and cons to see what works best for you.

For several years now, open floor plans have been perennial favorites, and they still top many buyers’ wish lists. While benefits to an open floor plan abound, they’re not the best choice for everyone. Here’s how to decide what floor plan works best for you and your family. Open floor plans. W...

02/28/2022

Caring for aging parents typically means remodeling. Here are ten ways to improve accessibility in the hub of the home.

Aging in place can be a great comfort to senior adults, especially when necessary renovations make familiar surroundings more accessible. That’s particularly true in the kitchen, which is a bustling place during meal preparation and the center of family life. For starters, an open kitchen floorpla...

02/26/2022

Interested in going “off the grid” with solar power? Here’s a quick tutorial.

As a homeowner, you may be interested in learning more about solar power — the pros and cons. It could save you money and help conserve precious resources at the same time, but what about those up-front costs? Here’s a basic tutorial. A short solar power primer. While there are two primary types...

02/25/2022

What do a caulk gun and luxury bath soap have in common? They're both tools for transforming your bathroom into an oasis.

It’s probably no surprise that when we scoured surveys of people’s favorite rooms, their bathrooms didn’t top the list. Most people want their bathrooms sparkling clean with a spa-like feel, but that can be a challenge with this utilitarian space. Whether you’re planning on selling or stayin...

02/23/2022

One of the basic legal documents in a real estate transaction is the deed. What is it and why is it so important?

One of the documents central to the purchase of real estate is the deed, the legal instrument by which title or ownership is transferred. You don’t necessarily need to know all the legal fine points, but it’s important to have a basic understanding of what a deed does. Always consult an attorney...

02/21/2022

President's Day Trivia - Who was the first president to live in the White House?