Rex Ostrander's Blog

Posted on 08/16/2020

Image by toddpharistx from Pixabay If you’ve been thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen to your luxury home, it is a good time to start planning. Outdoor kitchens offer a great place to prepare and enjoy meals outdoors when the weather is pleasant. You’ll find that there are many options and features available to build out the perfect...

Kitchen

Outdoor Living

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Posted on 08/09/2020

HOA vs. Non-HOA Communities

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay When you’re looking into buying a new home, one of the decision you’ll need to make is if you want to live in an HOA community or not. Homeowners association (HOA) communities offer certain advantages and disadvantages compared to non-HOA communities. Knowing more about these pros and cons can help you make the...

HOA

Neighborhood

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Posted on 08/02/2020

DIY: 4 Walkways to Boost Curb Appeal

Photo by Craig Tidball on Unsplash It's probably much easier and less expensive than you realize to improve your home's curb appeal. Simple fixes such as replacing rickety porch railings or giving trim a fresh, bright coat of paint go a long way toward making prospective home buyers smile. And when you create a welcoming pathway, that leads...

House Walkway

Curb Appeal

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Posted on 07/26/2020

How Big Business Impacts Rural America

Photo by Vit Ducken via Pixabay There has been a lot of concern about the state of rural America and how it's being affected by large businesses. Big box stores like are said to destroy local businesses, causing an economic drought in small towns. But despite the statistics, there's a bigger picture to consider. We'll look at how...

Market

Market Trends

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Posted on 07/19/2020

FSBO or Sell with an Agent?

Photo by Paul Velgos via Shutterstock If you’ve never sold a home, you might not understand the complexities of what your agent provides for you. You could be tempted to sell your home on your own. After all, with the availability of the Internet, how hard could it be? According to most research, FSBO (For Sale by Owner)...

Fsbo

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Posted on 07/12/2020

How to Shop Smart in a Seller's Market

Post Photo by Mohamed Hassan via PixabayIt's easy to believe you don't have much leverage if you're getting ready to buy in a seller's market. Unfortunately, that sense of frustration can result in desperation, which can ultimately lead to overpaying on a home. Before you accept your fate, consider how you may have more power than you think. Start...

Seller

Sellers Market

Posted on 07/07/2020

Adding Efficiency to an Older Home

Photo by Vivint Solar from Pexels When your pocketbook determines you can’t afford a new, energy-efficient home, you can still satisfy your preferences by upgrading an older house. Try these options for improving energy efficiency in your home. Apply for the FHA’s Energy-Efficient Mortgage program. With an EEM, you can finance an already energy-efficient home or use funds...

Homeownership

Energy Efficiency

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Posted on 06/28/2020

Navigate the Homebuying Journey Like a Pro

The homebuying journey may seem long, complicated and time-consuming at first. Fortunately, there are lots of things a property buyer can do to streamline the process of finding his or her dream residence. Now, let's take a look at three tips to help a homebuyer navigate the property buying journey like a pro. 1. Narrow Your Home Search If...

Buying A Home

Buyer Tips

Posted on 06/21/2020

Documents You Need When Buying a Home

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels While the home buying process is exciting, applying for a mortgage can be time-consuming. Paperwork is a big part of the mortgage process and the better prepared you are, the more likely it is to go well. In fact, if you are considering getting preapproved for a mortgage, lining the paperwork up...

Documents

Financing

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Posted on 06/14/2020

Inheriting Property: What Are Your Options?

Image by Annalise Batista from Pixabay One of the basic things that people prepare for in their end of life planning is their property. A family home, for example, is often passed down to the couple's children or next of kin. Often, though, the people who inherit the property don't think about what they'll do with the home...

Property

Homeownership

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Posted on 06/07/2020

How to Care for Wooden Decks and Porches

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay If you plan to add a deck to your home, begin by selecting quality pressure-treated or composite building material. If you build with pressure-treated wood, let the porch or deck set raw — without paint or stain — for at least six months to a year. The longer you let it set, the...

Proper Deck Maintenance

Maintenance

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Posted on 05/31/2020

How to Sell your Home to a Family Member or Friend

Photo by fauxels from Pexels It sounds like it should make things easier -- selling your home to a friend or family member should be a breeze for both parties -- but in reality, a home sale can disrupt your relationship if you don't go about it the right way. With the exception of parent to child transfers...

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