Posts in category 'Homeownership'

When you need to have a home office, you may have to think creatively to transform your space. A functional, attractive home office is easy enough to achieve if you have a spare bedroom, but if you don't, you'll need to be a bit more resourceful.

Our REALTORS® recommend the following 5 ways to add a home office space to your house:

1. A spare corner
   If you don't have a separate room to dedicate to a home office space, a spare corner can be used. Fortunately, this is a very economical option, since all you need are some basics such as a desk, shelves, and storage cabinets. Some artwork and/or paint can help spruce up the space, and if you don't like the idea of facing the wall, simply turn your desk around so it's facing the room. And if you have your choice of which room to put your corner office in, choose one that isn't constantly filled with chatter and other distractions.

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Although it can be a result of a rather unfortunate life event, inheriting a house can change your life forever. If you are in a position to determine what to do with the property, an inherited home can be a cornerstone of your long-term financial well-being. We understand that such a sudden change can be overwhelming, and you may have many factors to consider when you're deciding what to do with this inheritance. With this in mind, Our REALTORS® have five pieces of advice they give all of our clients to help them decide whether it's in their best interest to sell it, rent it, or keep it as a primary residence.

1. Accurately Assess the Debt Situation
   It can be difficult to process this when you're going through a period of grieving, but in some cases, an inheritance can be more of a burden than a helping hand. Before you make any plans for the disposition of the property, you need to get a handle on any debt that you inherited along with it. Does the property currently have a mortgage, or is it paid off? If it does have a mortgage, does it have sufficient equity to make a sale profitable? Were any financial instruments such as a reverse mortgage used to leverage this equity? Can you afford the mortgage payments every month? The answers to these questions will be crucial when you're deciding what to do next.

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When you look at your property, it's easy to imagine where the property lines might fall, based on the location of fences or the line where you stop mowing your lawn and your neighbor starts. However, the actual property lines may differ from appearances, and in some situations, property lines can become a point of contention between neighbors.

Whether you're looking to start an outdoor project, buy/sell a home, avoid conflict with neighbors, or simply know exactly where the property line lies for potential future projects, taking the time to determine your property lines is a must-do for any responsible homeowner. But how do you do it? Our REALTORS® are here to help, with a guide to determining the property lines for your home.

• Why It's Important to Know Your Property Lines
  For most homeowners, backyard projects and good relationships with neighbors are both important parts of owning a home... so you wouldn't want one to get in the way of the other. Determining property lines makes it easier to work on projects on the edge of your property, without worrying whether you're encroaching on your neighbor's land, or worse having to start a project all over because you started building without knowing the boundaries. Building a pool, fence, or other projects in the wrong place can be costly, and cause conflict in the neighborhood, so it's better to learn exactly where property lines lie.

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With Spring just around the corner (and we promise it really is), you may be eyeing those cobwebs on the ceiling and the dust bunnies along the baseboards. As you tackle that Spring cleaning list, don't forget your home's maintenance list, especially if yours is a Mansfield home for sale.

Our REALTORS® suggest checking through these key areas of your property, top to bottom:

• Roof and Gutters
  Spring is a good time to clean the roof and check for missing shingles,  rust or cracking, and of course, any leaking. Sometimes simply hammering the wayward shingle down and applying some caulk is enough, and sometimes you might need to call a professional. If you can't get on the roof yourself, using a pair of binoculars can get you started with your inspection. 
  
  At the same time you're giving the roof some attention, look over the gutters too. Clean out any leaves or debris. Look for leaks here also, as well as any place the gutters or downspouts may have pulled away from the house. Again, the caulk gun may be all you need to shore up the problem.

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Winter in Ohio can bring low temperatures and blankets of snow to the doorsteps of every Mansfield home. With plenty of cold mornings and frosty nights ahead, our REALTORS® are here to help you stay warm indoors. Here are six easy tips for keeping your Ohio home cozy all winter long.

1. Use Your Windows Wisely
   Depending on the time of the day, your windows can cause your home to either retain or lose heat. Take advantage of the sunlight during the day and allow it to stream through your windows. However, when the sun sets, use thick curtains to prevent heat from escaping through the window panes.

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