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12 ways to prep for high winds and high water Here’s how to prep for the hurricanes, Nor’easters and flooding that plague many parts of the country. Remove dead tree limbs. Secure patio furniture, trash barrels,... »
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7 key steps if your home suffers a major loss Immediately file a claim with your insurance company. For flooding, contact the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP). If you don’t have coverage, check DisasterAssistance.gov and FloodSmart.gov for possible assistance. Document pre-loss and... »
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8 keys to success in business—and in life! Start the day early. Get things done without interruption. Respond to emails. Do your to-do list, beginning with what you need to accomplish the first two or three... »
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3 tips to keep hackers out of your smart devices There are smart speakers, thermostats, appliances, security systems and virtual assistants (Amazon Alexa, Google Home). What makes them “smart” is the Internet—where hackers are. Using... »
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10 home improvements to boost your home’s resale price Doorways and decks. First impressions count. New doors, entries and decks score with buyers. Polish the landscape. Prune bushes and trees, mulch beds, cut the grass. ... »
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The Key to Establishing Good Habits We all have habits that we wish we could build into our day-to-day lives. Whether you want to establish a habit of healthy exercise, excellent productivity at work,... »
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Caring for Your Lawn All Year Round A beautiful lawn can showcase a beautiful home — but a messy lawn can make the whole place look less appealing. Do you know how to keep... »
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With home buyers, building trust is key. In a super competitive industry, you can't just be good at your job — you need something extra to make sure you're closing deals and staying ahead... »
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How to start your day on the right foot. Getting off on the wrong foot can derail your whole day. That's why it's so important to start your morning off right for a productive... »
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Is your website effective? Is your website working for you, or is it dead weight? A business website has to have certain features, capabilities, and information in order to be effective. And of course,... »
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You know that listing photos are essential to selling a home. That's why it's crucial to do them right! Great listing photos can make potential buyers fall in love before they even set... »
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Whether you call it a living room, a family room, a den, or something else altogether, this space is meant for relaxing, socializing, and spending time with friends and family. Of course, that... »
Read More of the post GET A LIVING ROOM YOU LOVE TO LIVE IN! 

When the economy is UP like it is right now it is even more important to stabilize the housing market. This means stabilizing rates. Housing and unemployment are doing VERY well so a... »
Read More of the post Why are mortgage rates up a little? (Very Little)

How my FICO score is calculated? The FICO score is calculated from several different pieces of credit data in your credit report. This data is grouped into five categories as outlined below. The percentages... »
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I know you are excited to see homes or have to get out there because you have an urgent timeline for your move. But don’t get sidelined by being unprepared. Here are ten... »
Read More of the post 10 REASONS TO GET PRE-APPROVED BEFORE YOU SHOP

“Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for a ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.” (Sam Ewing) When following the direction of interest rates, one only... »
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Looking for a baby gift that keeps on giving? Gift of College, an online registry for 529 plans and student loan accounts, lets you contribute to a child’s college education with gift cards for... »
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“Well, I’m going down...down, down, down, down, down.” (Jeff Beck) The big news of the week — Bond prices went down, down, down, resulting in a sharp rise in interest rates to levels... »
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“I've got to admit it's getting better. A little better all the time.” (The Beatles) Sales of new homes increased from July to August, with the available inventory of homes also a welcome... »
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"Don't rain on my parade." Barbra Streisand. Housing Starts were on the move higher in August, but the news on future construction was a bit of a damper. August Housing Starts rose 9.2 percent from... »
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"Rainy days seem to wind up sunny, long as you got a little spending money." Jimmy Buffett. Retail Sales were on the damp side in August, rising at their smallest level since February. Retail... »
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"There's no thrill like throwing a touchdown pass." Joe Montana. The labor sector scored in August with solid numbers on job and wage growth. U.S. employers hired 201,000 new workers in August, above the... »
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Wi-Fi can be slow for many reasons. Here are some tips for checking your Wi-Fi device or placing it properly to ensure the best signal. Restart your router occasionally. Much like rebooting a mobile device,... »
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Did you know? The first “labor day” assembly in America was held September 5, 1882, when roughly 10,000 working people marched in New York City to urge labor law reforms. Labor Day became a... »
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"Can you hear me now?" (Paul Marcarelli) July home sales figures spoke loud and clear regarding the impact low inventory is having on potential buyers. Existing home sales decreased 0.7 percent to a seasonally... »
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"I'm on my way. I'm on my way. Home sweet home." (Motley Crue) July brought some mixed news for homebuyers around the country who've been looking to find their way to new homes... »
Read More of the post Housing Starts and Building Permits Move Up

"Home. Home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play." (Bing Crosby) A discouraging word was heard by many potential homebuyers, as home prices continue to rise across much of the... »
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"What a feeling." (Irene Cara) Job growth eased in July, but a closer look at the report shows that job seekers shouldn't be too alarmed. Non-farm payrolls rose by 157,000 new jobs in July,... »
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Did you know: The month of August was named for Julius Caesar’s grandnephew, Augustus, who defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra to become emperor of Rome. As a result, the Roman Senate decided that he... »
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"Sing with me, sing for the year, sing for the laughter, sing for the tear." (Aerosmith) Home sales declined from May to June. The ongoing inventory shortages across much of the country may... »
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"My mama told me, 'You better shop around.'" (The Miracles) Consumers weren't afraid to shop around in June, while construction data did little to lessen inventory woes. U.S. homebuilders broke ground on fewer homes... »
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"Got the inflation blues." (B.B. King) Small business optimism may be near record highs, but signs of inflation could cause some to sing the blues. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9 percent in... »
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"I get knocked down, but I get up again." (Chumbawamba) Mortgage bonds have bounced up and down in recent weeks as global trade headlines sparked volatility. The markets were closed Wednesday for Independence... »
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If you've got a paint project to tackle in the coming months, here is a little help to make the job easier and cleanup faster. Plus, a few tips to keep you organized... »
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On July 4 we celebrate Independence Day — the formal adoption of our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the first step in turning the 13 colonies of England into the United... »
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"It's gonna be a bright sun-shiny day." (Johnny Nash) The sun was shining on new home sales in May, as they reached their highest level since November. Sales of new homes rose 6.7 percent... »
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"There's something happening here, and what it is ain't exactly clear." (Buffalo Springfield) Sales of existing homes fell for the second straight month in May, with low inventory being a clear reason why. May... »
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Did you know... Thursday, June 21 marks the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. On June 21, at the equator, there will be... »
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"Rise up." (Lin-Manuel Miranda) Recent tax cuts and a strong labor market helped retail sales rise in May. The Commerce Department reported that retail sales jumped 0.8 percent from April to May, well above... »
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