AnnMarie Stevens' Blog

Posted on 07/04/2021
How Big Corporations Affect the Patterns of Residential Real Estate
Photo by Juhasz Imre from Pexels Major corporations can change nearly everything about their surrounding areas and their effect on residential real estate can be truly substantial. The concentration of wealth in areas like Silicon Valley and Seattle has influenced even the most basic properties, causing otherwise unremarkable homes to be worth over a million dollars based on...
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Posted on 06/27/2021
Property Insurance vs. Homeowners Insurance
Photo by Steve Buissinne via Pixabay Often used interchangeably, the terms “property insurance” and “homeowners’ insurance” sometimes confuse new homebuyers. Homeowners’ insurance is a specialized form of property insurance. By “property” the insurance industry means anything that you own. Under that category come homeowners’ insurance and even renters’ insurance. These products cover single-family houses, condominiums and a renter’s...
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Posted on 06/20/2021
Go All In On Your Comfort With a Programmable Thermostat
Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels As you go about your day at home, you might change the thermostat settings more than once to balance your comfort with saving money. But what if you were able to leave all that fine-tuning to a digital system and achieve your goals with little to no effort on your part? Well,...
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Posted on 06/13/2021
Detecting and Correcting Water Leaks
Photo by Andrey_Popov via Shutterstock Is your house leaky? According to the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), household water leaks account for up to a trillion gallons of water wasted each year. According to their calculations, the average home leaks about ten thousand gallons annually or more than 90 gallons every single day. So how do you tell...
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Posted on 06/06/2021
How to Make Universal Design Work For You
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels Universal design refers to building a home that can accommodate people of varying ages, physical ability and lifestyle. If you are building a home that you intend to live in for many years, building it with universal design in mind can help it meet your needs and the needs of your family...
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Posted on 05/30/2021
Steps to Paying off Your Mortgage Quickly
Photo by ESB Professional via Shutterstock If the thought of getting a mortgage and being in that much debt is stopping you from buying a home, plan to pay it off. Here’s how you can do it in just five to 10 years. Live well below your means. If you can keep your mortgage payment to below twenty...
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Posted on 05/23/2021
Update Your Kitchen to Sell
Image by StudioDin from Shutterstock Homeowners wishing to sell their home for top dollar might consider a kitchen remodel to increase its value and efficiency. Aside from the kitchen being the heart of the home, it also has several surfaces you can quickly upgrade that affect the entire space. The tips below give you a guide to which...
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Posted on 05/16/2021
Signs You Need a New Roof
Photo by David McBee from Pexels For most homeowners, the last thing they’re worried about is the physical roof over their heads. That is until their roof starts leaking after a storm. Once the water is pouring down and you’re forced to bring out buckets, you’re likely to curse yourself for not thinking about roof maintenance sooner. So,...
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Posted on 05/09/2021
Factors that Could Break a Home Buying Deal
Photo by Edar via Pixabay Before you sign on the bottom line, know which items are negotiable and which negate the deal entirely. Clearly defining these in advance can save you significant headaches when the buying bug takes over. Your agent will remind you of your non-negotiables and keep you on the right track. Here are some big-ticket...
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Posted on 05/02/2021
3 DIY Projects for Your Outdoor Space
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels If you’re looking to add curb appeal or want to create a pleasant outdoor environment to enjoy your leisure time, investing in a good DIY project can help you to spruce up your outdoor space. 1. Install a Window Ledge A window ledge is a versatile project because it can serve a variety...
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Posted on 04/25/2021
3 Overlooked Features in Exterior Renovations
Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay When it comes to improving the exterior of your home, it might be hard to know where to start. Many small details combine to create a home’s first impression and affect potential resale value. With so many different features potentially needing an upgrade, there are some that might not seem obvious at...
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Posted on 04/18/2021
Hints and Tips for First Time Home Buyers
If you're renting a nice house, condo, or apartment, there's a good chance your monthly rent check is almost as much as a mortgage payment. Perhaps you've realized this and have been asking yourself why you're contributing to someone else's nest egg, instead of your own! If that sounds familiar, you may be ready to take the plunge into...
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