Many companies will tell you that referrals are the bread and butter of their business. And how do they come about? That's simple—word spreads quickly when you offer a good product. But, it's not as easy as sitting back and waiting for that word to go viral. To keep the business coming, you have to keep the testimonials going up on social and across the internet....

By Jason Caruso Whether you’re building an addition, completely remodeling or just finishing your basement, a home improvement loan can help add value and comfort to your home. There are a variety of loan options available that we detail later in this article, but before you explore those, there are four steps you should take to ensure that you'll get the money...

By Dixie Somers Andrew Carnegie—founder of U.S. Steel and one of history’s richest men—once observed, “More millionaires have been made through owning real estate than through all other industrial investments combined.” Owning real estate investments remains one of the most effective means of growing one’s wealth. But to fully take advantage of the opportunities...

When moving into a new home, one of the most important things you should do is create a home inventory. In the event that somewhere down the road your valuables are lost or stolen, having visual evidence of your property is the best way for insurance adjusters to determine what they're worth. Unfortunately, many people skip this task. "Very often, homeowners learn...

Identity theft is defined as the fraudulent possession and use of an individual's private, identifying information for financial gain. Unless the proper precautions are taken, anyone can be at risk—including you. As a real estate professional, it's important that you're aware of how identity theft occurs and how you can protect yourself and your clients against...

By Kara Masterson House hunting is an exciting process, especially when it’s your first home. While it may feel stressful and overwhelming at times, there are ways to make the search easier. Here are five steps to take before looking for your dream home: 1. Set Your Budget First
The first thing you need to do before looking at any homes is set your budget....

By Brentnie Daggett With historically low temperatures and storms hitting the East Coast, there’s no shortage of weather and conditions that create the perfect opportunity to…slip. While winter weather brings fun adventures, it’s important to remember safety, especially if you're a homeowner or landlord. Guest and tenant safety should be at the forefront of...

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act marks the first major tax overhaul in 30 years, and, although it'll be some time before we know the real effect it will have on individuals, the bill seems to be having an impact on companies throughout the U.S. At just one month old, the tax bill has already made numerous headlines. The most public stories are of the major companies that...

By Steve Palmer From smartphones to smart TVs, everyday devices are becoming more and more sophisticated and autonomous. The devices being integrated into our homes allow the house to respond automatically to the environment, preset schedules and even spoken commands. Today, systems like Amazon Echo and Google Home provide a central base for automating almost any...

By Victoria Lim In the past, home sellers were told to tidy up, mow the lawn and perhaps do a few modifications; however, the current dog-eat-dog real estate market now demands a more hardball approach, and that's where home staging comes in. Staging a home is a crucial selling point when marketing a house. Studies show that investment for staging takes 1 - 3 percent...