By now I’m certain you’ve thought I have forgotten all about my blog, as it has not been updated since late September.  As they say, sometimes life happens when you’re busy making other plans.  For me, it involved my boyfriend of 7.5 years.  In October, we called our relationship quits, which created quite the upheaval in my life.  So needless to say, updating my blog has not been high on my priority list for a while.

Always one to find the silver lining in each difficult situation I encounter, I am using my personal experience to inform those readers considering purchasing property with their “significant other”.  Although you bask in the glow of love now as you sign the paperwork to purchase a home together, there are legal implications to consider before moving forward with such a financial decision.
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I understand you haven’t been having wild parties at your house, as it happens to all of us from time to time:  the dreaded hole in the wall.  A rambunctious child and a broken door stop can quickly make a hole in the drywall the size of your doorknob.  The house settling can also crack it as well.  But how do you repair these issues?  Check out this video, which tells us how – from the smallest crack to a doorknob sized hole, it can be done!

Click here to see the video!
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Yesterday we had a little bit of excitement here around my house. A city water main pipe had burst in our front yard. Within minutes, we had a few thousand gallons of water everywhere. I had ankle-deep water in one section of driveway and could not believe the deluge!

So, with that being said, today’s topic will be an homage to French Drains. While they are not designed to handle such loads as what mine were asked to do yesterday, they still provide help to those homeowners with too much water surrounding the structure. Luckily, I had the system in place, as it took enough water away from the low-lying areas to keep water from entering the house. It could very easily have happened, and would have in a blink of an eye. Read the rest…

I’m one that really enjoys DIY, or “Do it Yourself” projects around the home.  For instance, I’ve changed many a light fixture and painted many rooms in our home.  I get real satisfaction from seeing a job well done, and knowing I did it myself.  However, a $20 light fixture is dramatically different than attempting making decisions in regards to your largest financial asset without counsel.  That’s something I definitely would not recommend at all. Read the rest…

2009 has unfortunately ushered in a new buzz phrase:  “Loan Modification”.  But how does one get a modification? What are the qualifiers? Finally, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced guidelines. Check out this press release on what it all entails.

Click here to utilize an interactive online eligibility qualifier:  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/modification_eligibility.html Read the rest…

With all of the talk of homeowners losing their homes to foreclosure, it’s no wonder so many con artists have now figured out how to use this angle to prey upon those who are vulnerable.  Don’t become a victim to one of these “Foreclosure Rescue” scams.  If any organization finds you to help, it’s a scam.  Only those who need help will seek out assistance.  Federal agencies who assist homeowners NEVER seek them out. Read the rest…

One quick answer…YOU BET!  Having a good home inspector can literally save you thousands of dollars, especially if they find something very wrong with the property you’re potentially buying.  It’s not uncommon for home inspectors to discover a house has substantial foundation problems that could cost a few thousand to repair. Read the rest…

With much ado from Washington, D.C. and our Congress, the talk of “helping homeowners stay in their homes” is a hot topic these days. However, when it comes down to it, the homeowner is the only person who can save their own place when facing foreclosure. This informative video tells us about the process, what’s involved and how you can keep your home from being taken back by the bank.

Click here to see the Foreclosure Process Video

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You see the late night infomercials touting “EASY PROFITS!” But if it was that easy, wouldn’t everyone be doing it? Time to blow away the smoke and mirrors to the truth on short sales, folks. It’s a time consuming process that is a difficult (and not always successful) method to purchasing a home with a substantial discount.
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Well, here I go again, on another political rant.  (At least I warned you.)  As a result of the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac fiasco, there has been a lawsuit settlement reached between the NY Attorney General, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  While the proposed law seems good on the surface (it’s meant to protect us, right?), there are some serious flaws that will hurt borrowers, sellers, lenders and real estate agents.  It will most likely hinder efforts to sell property in the future. Read the rest…