Melissa Stifano (2024)

10/11/2022

Are you planning on helping your children purchase a home? Read this first.

There are many ways parents can help their children purchase a home: contributing to a down payment,...

03/11/2022

Title insurance isn't required when paying cash for a house because a lender isn't involved. However, you may still want it for yourself.

If you’re buying a house with cash only, you may have gotten a lower price for it and you certainly ...

27/10/2022

There are pros and cons for each one. What's your preference?

You look at the palm of your hand and you can almost see it, the glistening, sense-of-security-givin...

20/10/2022

It has advantages for some.

Those considering purchasing a new home may want to consider becoming a condo owner. Popular with ev...

13/10/2022

Everyone needs homeowners insurance to be approved for a mortgage loan. But what, exactly, does the policy cover?

As new homeowners will learn, borrowers need to provide their lender with proof of homeowners insura...

06/10/2022

Take a look at the pros and cons of painting vs. staining!

So you’ve got new kitchen cabinets. Congratulations! But now what? For those wondering how to ...

29/09/2022

Safety isn't the only reason you might want to get a home security system.

Break-ins occur every day across the U.S., resulting in property damage, theft and, in some cases, i...

22/09/2022

The investment tax credit (ITC) allows 30 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system to be deducted from your federal taxes. Find other ways to reduce the expense of solar here.

Financing solar panels for your home isn’t cheap. The good news is that there are many options. Base...

15/09/2022

Before tapping into your home's worth for extra cash, weigh your options.

If you need money for an important project, you might be able to finance it by accessing the equity ...

08/09/2022

Do you have a random room that you're just using as storage right now? Here are some tips for assigning a role to those bonus rooms in your home.

You probably have a room in your house that doesn’t get used much or is just acting as storage for y...

01/09/2022

A 15-year mortgage can save you a ton in interest.

Coming up with the down payment on a home can be hard enough, and one way to make a home more afford...

25/08/2022

Shopping around for a mortgage lender? Here's what you should know.

Shopping for a mortgage isn’t as fun as looking at homes to buy, but it’s an important step that wil...

18/08/2022

Take your current debt into account, as well as potential future expenses, to determine how much mortgage you can afford.

Homeownership is a dream for many people, but some take on more debt than they should. If you’...

11/08/2022

You'll want to get home insurance before disaster strikes. Just don't fall for these 5 myths that could lead to higher costs down the line.

Whether you’ve owned a home for years or are buying your first home, purchasing insurance can be con...

04/08/2022

Timeless themes and practical ideas will help make kids' rooms cheerful and organized.

Icons and superheroes go in and out of style, so decorating your kids’ rooms to reflect their curren...

28/07/2022

Did you know lighting can play an important role in selling your home.

When’s the last time you paid attention to your lights, switches and fixtures? They may seem like li...

21/07/2022

Here's a room-by-room checklist to help detect water leaks that might be costing you money.

Water conservation isn’t only good for the environment; it’s also good for your bank account. Accord...

14/07/2022

Ever heard of the terms soft or hard pull when it comes to credit? Here's what they mean.

Shopping for a home loan? It’s best to do it within 30 days of a credit pull so your score doe...

07/07/2022

New to the home-buying experience? Here are some terms you'll likely hear.

If you’re buying a home, you’ll more than likely be obtaining a mortgage, which you may not kn...

30/06/2022

Looking to increase your home's energy efficiency? Tackle the kitchen first.

Eco-friendly features are all the rage today as homeowners commit to living greener lives. But for t...

23/06/2022

Some interesting tips for cutting back at home.

Many individuals are beginning to identify with minimalism, as rising costs in real estate have gene...

16/06/2022

You may be competing with multiple offers. Come in strong with these tips.

From a buyer’s standpoint, getting into a bidding war for a house they want is never fun. They...

09/06/2022

Before you spend money on home improvements, keep ROI in mind.

If you’re about to put your home on the market, there are probably some repairs and changes that nee...

02/06/2022

How do you build equity in your home? Read on...

If you’ve owned a home for several years and made responsible financial decisions, you may hav...

26/05/2022

Check out these tips for creating a relaxing retreat at home.

When the day is done, nothing is more relaxing than retiring to your bedroom. Unless, of course, you...

19/05/2022

Are you struggling to deodorize your home before you sell? Follow these tips to remove odors and make your home smell clean again.

Odors are a huge turnoff for potential homebuyers and can be difficult to remove. The truth is that ...

12/05/2022

Home insurance can get complicated. Here are some factors that could also make it more expensive.

Home insurance may be one of the last things you’ll think about when buying a home, but in some situ...

28/04/2022

Is it your first time buying a home? You may be able to get some financial help.

Many people dream of owning a home, but it can be difficult to save enough money for a down payment ...

21/04/2022

Creativity is the name of the game when it comes to choosing lighting to brighten up your space.

In today’s day and age, choosing the right lighting for your space can be an overwhelming prop...

14/04/2022

Looking to sell? Here's what needs to be disclosed.

There’s a memorable phrase in the real estate profession of “Disclose, disclose, disclos...

07/04/2022

Here are some tips for paying off your mortgage faster!

Paying off your mortgage early and living mortgage-free so you can use the money for other things—su...

31/03/2022

Buying a home can be expensive. Don't forget to budget for these during your home search.

Financially, there’s more to buying a home than the purchase price—sometimes much more. After the do...

24/03/2022

Extending the lifespan of household items can save you a lot of money in the long run. Here are some tips!

Buying a home is expensive enough. Filling it up with things you need adds to the cost, and spending...

17/03/2022

Being underwater on your mortgage doesn't have to be as dire a situation as you may think. Here are some options you might consider.

Owing more money on your mortgage loan than your home is worth—commonly referred to as being “underw...

10/03/2022

This article explains the differences between a second home and an investment property.

Unlike a second home, where a homeowner lives for a portion of the year, an investment property is p...

03/03/2022

Downsizing has its benefits, but it's important to carefully consider the decision.

If you’re overwhelmed by the cost of your mortgage or the amount of time you spend cleaning an...

24/02/2022

Have you gone through bankruptcy? You may still be able to buy a home.

Many people have debts that they are unable to repay. Sometimes, this is a result of overspending. I...

17/02/2022

Buying a home? You may have to obtain private mortgage insurance, or PMI.

Hopeful homeowners applying for a loan who aren’t able to put 20% down upfront may be hearing ...

10/02/2022

Increasing your home's energy efficiency doesn't have to be a challenge. Here are six simple things you can do today.

More and more people are looking for ways to increase their home’s energy efficiency—both to...

03/02/2022

Here are some terms you may come across during your home-buying journey. Have you heard of these?

So you’re looking for a home loan? Before you find yourself up to your knees in brand new term...