Author: karendossey

Nobody likes a dark, dimly lit space, especially when it could be hiding issues in your home. Sometimes we just don’t want to know. But let’s face it, most of the major mechanical systems in a home are in these areas, and we just don’t like to go down there where the cobwebs, spiders and … Continued

Maybe it’s the home you live in, maybe it’s a home you own but haven’t seen in a while, or maybe it’s a property that you recently inherited… Whatever the case, homes get condemned when a government entity determines that the property is no longer fit to live in. (Consistently receiving code violations is usually … Continued

Here are a few things to be aware of BEFORE you list with an agent… You’ll Have to Clean & Stage — In today’s world, buyers expect to be shown beautiful, staged homes. They should be able to imagine living there. And if you list on the MLS, your agent will probably expect you to … Continued

Well, paying taxes on an inherited property can be a little bit tricky. For example, do you still get up to a $250,000 tax credit? Can a capital loss be deducted if the home sells for less than market value? It’s probably a little overwhelming. But not to worry, we’ve worked with lots of people … Continued

It can be frustrating. Not only do abandoned homes become an eye-sore in the community, but they also can attract squatters or unsavory characters to spend time in the neighborhood. But you’re just a member of the community — you’re not the owner of the home. Can you do anything about it? Yes! You certainly … Continued

Here are tips for downsizing and getting rid of stuff that’s difficult to get rid of… Start Early & Start Small — The more you procrastinate, the harder it’s going to be. You’re going to have to sell a lot of stuff, take a lot of trash to the dump, and do some packing. The … Continued

It’s an exciting time! But it can also be a little overwhelming — what should homebuyers look for in a new home? How much can they afford? How are they going to coordinate the sale of their current home with the purchase of their next? We’ve been working with homeowners in Fort Wayne for a … Continued

Obviously, you don’t want to live in a home with broken appliances, bad plumbing, dangerous wiring, or ineffective air conditioning… But you also don’t want to spend an arm and leg to live in a home that’s functional. Truthfully, you shouldn’t have to spend massive amounts of money to live in a decent home. And … Continued

It can be difficult to let go of a home with sentimental value — maybe you remember your parents sitting at the dinner table, or your kids playing in the backyard, or your family sitting around the fireplace during the holidays. Now you’re thinking of selling… and in some ways, it feels like a betrayal … Continued

Maybe you worked with a real estate agent who listed your home for a low price and you later found out that you could have sold for quite a bit more. Maybe you worked with an agent who didn’t actually work all that hard… and it took a really long time to sell. Or maybe … Continued

Here are your options… Clean It Yourself — This is definitely the most time-intensive option. But if you love the property and don’t have the budget to pay for cleaning services, then you’ll have to put in some of your own elbow grease. Set aside a weekend to clean up as much as you can, … Continued

Whether you have tenants in it or not, here are 5 ways that you can reduce your monthly bills on a property that you own (and estimated monthly savings). Refinance ($100+ per/month) — Refinancing your loan is one of the best ways to save. If you really want lower monthly payments and don’t care about … Continued

That’s frustrating for a lot of different reasons. First, it’s often indicative of a bigger problem in the home. There could be excessive substance use. Not to mention that those tenants might end up getting the police called on them.  And it’s also not good for your property — the more parties your tenants are … Continued

From managing tenants to paying for repairs, owning a rental property can sometimes end up being more work than it’s worth (especially if your tenants aren’t respecting the property). But selling the property is so final… Is it really time to sell your rental property? Well, we’ve worked in the Fort Wayne real estate market … Continued

The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped all the way to a measly 2.86%. And while there’s been a very slight uptick since then — to 3.09% — interest rates are still stiflingly low. Of course, it’s hard to know how long that is going to last; the real estate market is … Continued