Author: Ben

  • Prices & Rates

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    Ben
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    Housing prices and interest rates aren’t going back down! Mortgage rates surged to the highest level in two years, leaving homebuyers on high alert as further increases loom. Things aren’t going back down. Now is the time to buy! 30 year fixed mortgage The rate on the 30 year fixed mortgage – the most common…

  • Closing Facts

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    5 Closing Facts for Home Purchases What is closing? Closing is the legal transfer of property ownership, also called settlement. Who attends closing? In most states, closings are in person, although remote closings are becoming more common. The participants may include you and your agent, the seller and their agent, and each party’s attorney. Where…

  • Hardwood Floors

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    How to clean your hardwood floors without ruining them! Whether you installed hardwood flooring or inherited it from a previous owner, real hardwood floors can change the feel of an entire space. Whether light or dark colored, wide planks or parquet, hardwood floors are a sought after feature in a home. But actual hardwood floors…

  • Winter Birds

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    Winter Birds Myths and Facts Do birds get cold? When it comes to winter birds, it seems there are even more myths than usual. Some people worry birds will freeze on cold nights or in bird baths. Myth: Birds will freeze to death when temperatures drop below zero. Fact: Birds are well equipped to survive…

  • Woodpeckers

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    Why do woodpeckers peck and how to stop it? While many birds sing to claim their territories, woodpeckers have a different method. Woodpeckers knock on hard surfaces like wood to communicate with others and attract a mate. One bird may drum more than 8,000 times per day, and a downy woodpecker typically strikes 16 times…

  • Furniture Removal

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    Ben
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    Use organizations to pick up furniture you want to get rid of Are you wanting to clear out household items without having to leave home? Some people start the new year with the urge to purge their home of clutter and unwanted items. Once you’ve decided what to get rid of, the issue becomes figuring…

  • Winter Bulbs

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    Ben
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    How to force bulbs indoors during the winter Forcing bulbs is essentially tricking them into thinking spring has arrived. Here’s what to know about forcing bulbs. How to force bulbs indoors Essentially the process is similar to the one outdoors, except you are planting the bulbs in pots, and simulating the old, dark winter conditions…

  • Outdoor Faucets

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    Winterize your outdoor plumbing Even though you are probably not using your outdoor faucet or spigot as much during the winter as you do during the summer, that doesn’t mean you can just forget about it for the whole season. If your outdoor faucet, pipes, and water inside them freeze, you may be in for…

  • Home Value

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    Ben
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    Avoid these renovations that can hurt your home’s value What seems like an upgrade to you now may turn potential future buyers off. People purchase and move into new homes for many reasons. It’s one thing if the idea is to stay in a house for the rest of your life, but if you think…