Lori Blank & Associates

08

Jun

Around The Home

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More ‘Pet Friendly’

Whether you're moving to a new home or you have a new family pet, it can be a struggle to make the place a little friendlier for them. From the garbage can to the cupboards and doors, there can be a lot of dangers that have the ability to hurt your furry friend you might not be aware of. If you're looking for some simple ways to make their life a little easier, here are a few things you can do. Take Care Of The Trash The image of dogs sifting through the trash is common for a reason, so…

07

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

How To Make Your Home More Sustainable in 2022

If you are looking for a way to make your home more sustainable in 2022, there are several options available. A lot of people are concerned about the environment, and you can do your part by reducing the amount of energy your home consumes. Furthermore, some of these home improvements are not that expensive and can actually save you money. Some of them might even increase the value of your house. Take a look at some of the top sustainable home improvements you should make below. Install Energy-Efficient Windows If you have not swapped out your windows in a while,…

03

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Open Concept Living Is A Lifestyle Choice

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals and families across the world, and it has permanently changed the way we live our lives. We will continue to wash our hands more frequently than before, we will probably avoid people if we are the slightest bit ill, and the way our homes work has been changed forever. In particular, open-concept living might not be as popular as it once was. Why Is Open Concept Living Less Popular Than Before? The biggest reason why open-concept living might now be less popular than it once was is that people are…

02

Jun

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Saving Up for Your Down Payment? Try These Money-saving Tips to Speed Things Up

One of the most significant challenges that many people face when preparing to buy a first home relates to saving money for a down payment. While there are many different loan programs with varying down payment requirements, the fact is that it can still be difficult to save up a large sum of money. Some programs may require you to save as much as 10 percent or 20 percent of the sales price of the home. You can employ a few different tips and techniques to save money for a down payment more quickly, and these are some of the…

01

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Where Buyers Tend To Compromise When Buying A Home

If you are in the market for a home, it is important for you to think about what is most critical to your housing search. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you will probably have to compromise somewhere to make a competitive offer on a house you can afford. Every buyer is different, but there are a few common themes regarding where buyers tend to compromise when looking for a house. The Condition Of The Home One area where buyers tend to compromise is the condition of the house. Most buyers would prefer to purchase a new house that is…

31

May

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 31, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on new and pending home sales, minutes from the Federal Reserve's recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting, and data on inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. New and Pending Home Sales Fall The annual pace of new home sales fell in April according to the Commerce Department. Year-over-year sales of new homes fell to a pace of 591,000 sales as compared to the March reading of 709,000 sales of new homes. Analysts expected a year-over-year pace of 750,000 new home sales in April. Rising home prices and mortgage…

27

May

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Thinking about Renovations?: 5 Considerations Before Hiring a Home Improvements Contractor

With the pre-summer enthusiasm and the milder weather, springtime can be one of the best times of the year to take on home renovations that aren't as easy in other months. If you happen to have some projects in mind and are considering taking the work on yourself, here are a few questions you'll need to ask. What Can You Take On? If you have specific renovations in mind for the coming months, it's very important to decide what you can reasonably take on and what you could pass on to a contractor. While some projects and fix-ups may be…

26

May

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

The Top Trends For The Backyard This Spring

With the weather beginning to warm up outside, a lot of people are looking forward to spending more time outdoors. If your grass is beginning to grow and turn green again, you might be thinking about hosting a party with your family members and friends. What are a few trends you should consider embracing this spring? Container Gardens A lot of people are looking for ways to introduce nature into their homes. Even though you can certainly put a few more flowers and plants inside, you might want to consider container gardens outside. You might be able to grow your…

25

May

By Lori Blank

Home Selling Tips

3 DIY Kitchen Upgrades That Will Boost Your Home Selling Price With Just A Few Hours Work

Homeowners who want to increase the appeal of their residence before putting it up for sale can, within a few hours and with a little elbow grease, perform some do-it-yourself (DIY) kitchen upgrades that are sure to pique the interest of would-be buyers. Many people either have or are in the process of listing their home, so it makes sense to do as much as possible to attract the interest of prospective purchasers. It need not cost a proverbial arm and a leg to boost the selling price of a home. Here are three DIY kitchen upgrades that will help…

24

May

By Lori Blank

Investment Properties

IRAs And Real Estate Investing

If you want to diversify your investments, you might be thinking about purchasing real estate. Buying property is expensive, so where are you going to get the money from? You might be able to use your IRA to help you buy property. You probably hold stocks, mutual funds, and bonds in your IRA, but did you know that you could also hold non-traditional retirement assets in your IRA? This includes real estate. How can you use your IRA to buy real estate? Have The Right IRA First, you need to have the right Ira if you want to use it…