Sam Sharpe Realty

06/02/2026

Financing the Mobile Home Purchase Not too terribly long ago finding a loan for a manufactured home was a nightmare. Many lenders simply refused to lend on them. Today, however, with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insuring loans for manufactured homes, financing has become a lot easier. .....

05/29/2026

Mortgage: While the common English translation – a huge chunk of money going out the door every month –strikes fear in every American homeowner, just think how the French must feel. In French, mortgage translates to 'death contract.' That sounds even scarier until you understand that the 'death'...

05/25/2026

When the only thing standing between you and that house you've fallen in love with is a 'yes' or 'no' from a lender, it's devastating when your application for a loan is rejected. There are various reasons for loan rejections and some can be remedied quickly while others may take...

05/21/2026

The disadvantages of buying fixer-uppers are obvious: they take time and money to make them livable. The advantages, while not as obvious, may just outweigh the disadvantages for certain buyers or in certain types of markets. With a fixer you may just be able to create the home of your dreams instea...

05/17/2026

PMI is one of those things in life that is both a curse and a blessing. Without it, cash-poor homebuyers can't get a loan. With it, your payments are higher, it takes a long time to get rid of (with some loans it never goes away) and it only protects the lender. PMI is short for 'private mortgage in...

05/13/2026

05/09/2026

If you're considering buying a home, do yourself a favor and stop looking at homes for sale online and take some steps to ensure you save money on the purchase. Sure, it takes a little time and effort but the payoff may just be a lower monthly house payment. So, what's the First Step? You won't...

05/05/2026

Shady spots in the garden don't have to be barren. There are so many plants that will thrive in the shade--probably a lot more than you think-- from perennials to annuals. Gardeners can choose ferns, woodland flowers and luxurious ground covers. Whether your shade garden will be an accent or a focal...

05/01/2026

If your family seems to be sneezing and wheezing more than they should be, suspect a mold problem in the home. Physical symptoms of a mold infestation mimic those of allergies and the flu, with headaches and asthma as common complaints. What is Mold? Molds are micro-organisms that use enzymes to bre...

04/27/2026

Working parents with school-aged kids understand the utter chaos that a school-day morning can bring. Along with readying yourself for work and making sure everyone eats a decent breakfast, there is school lunch preparation to consider. Creating a lunch station is one way to deal with this, both for...