Melissa Hagwood; Realtor with Fathom

09/02/2026

Before listing for sale, take the extra step to stage your home. Here are the reasons why it is worth the investment.

Before the “For Sale” sign goes up, smart homeowners typically make any necessary repairs and clean until their homes shine. Home staging is an extra step that savvy sellers take to prepare their homes for potential buyers. What is staging? Is it worth the trouble? What is home staging? The goal...

08/31/2026

An open house tour is a great way to get the feel of a home, but don't forget to also check for hidden problems - like water damage. Here's a good list of additional things to consider.

Open houses are a great opportunity to check out a home and ask a lot of questions. Make the most of your touring by paying attention to these important factors. The neighborhood. Take a lap or two through the neighborhood and even the wider community surrounding it before you even set foot in the h...

08/29/2026

Shower curtains don't cost much, but they can change the entire look of a dated bathroom.

08/28/2026

A room filled with patterns and prints can be cozy and interesting or jarring to the eye. Here’s how to combine patterns and prints successfully.

Here’s how to mix patterns and prints like a professional when decorating your home’s interior to take a room from blah to beautiful.

08/26/2026

Even pet-loving buyers may be turned off by lingering pet odors and damage. Check out this guide to prepare your pet and your house for showings.

When pet owners put their homes up for sale, it’s best to make those beloved animals disappear without a trace. The dog beds, the cat crates, the hair, the chew marks and the smell all need to be removed before the first showing. Here’s a step-by-step guide on selling your home with pets.

08/24/2026

Found your dream home? Great! Uh-oh...it's in a flood zone? Be sure to figure in the cost of additional flood insurance in your monthly payments. Here are some more things to consider before taking the plunge.

You’ve been shopping for a home and believe you’ve found it, the home of your dreams. It’s the perfect size, the style of architecture you love and a place to raise your family. Then you find out it’s in a flood zone. What does that mean in terms of risk, insurance and resale? Should you wal...

08/22/2026

If you can't afford a new sofa, then set your sights on a loveseat. It is usually more affordable and can still accommodate one to two people.

08/21/2026

The warm glow and appealing scents of candles make them a beautiful home accent. But cleaning candles and their containers can be a chore. Here’s how to keep your candles burning bright.

Candles can grow dusty and sooty, and their wax can make a mess of candlesticks and containers. Cleaning candles are easier than you think!

08/19/2026

Choose a bed the same color as your pet’s fur to conceal dirt and shedding. Find other pet-friendly decorating tips here.

For many of us, a house wouldn’t be a home without a pet -- or two -- or several. But even the most ardent pet lover will admit that cat towers and giant dog beds do little for the decor of a home. Fortunately, there’s a plethora of products on the market that will keep your pet happy and your h...

08/17/2026

You may be tempted to try and save money on commissions by selling or buying your home without the services of a real estate agent. But do you have a complete picture of the services real estate professionals offer? Before you DIY your real estate deal, here’s what you need to know about the value real estate agents bring to the process.

Agents provide vital services in real estate transactions. Here’s how a real estate agent adds value when you’re buying or selling a home.