Geiger Realty Group-The Comfort Of Home

Is every member of your family ready for the big move? Here are four ways to ready your pets for the big day.

Prep Your Pets For Moving Day Your family is moving to a new home. It’s an exciting and stressful time for everyone — including your pets. Here are four tips to help your pets survive the ups and downs of moving day. Visit the vet. Before you move, take your pet for a veterinarian visit. Make sure your pet is up […]

Retirement communities offer seniors a wide range of services and amenities. Check out the pros, the cons and the price tag for senior living.

The Pluses and Minuses of Senior Living Retirement communities, marketed to the 55-plus crowd, are often loaded with recreational amenities such as swimming pools, golf courses, clubhouses and gyms. Do these developments live up to their advertising brochures? Here’s a look at the pros and cons. Pros. Most senior-living residents enjoy ...

Here’s how to build great neighborhood relationships that pay real dividends.

Building Neighborhood Ties that Bind Ask homeowners what builds value in their homes and they likely will name things like kitchen upgrades, a new deck or other hard assets. What may not come to mind as readily is the value of having great neighbors. Yet having a harmonious neighborhood pays off in personal satisfaction and ultimately....

Prequalified or Preapproved: What’s the Difference?

Prequalified or Preapproved: What’s the Difference? As a buyer, already having a mortgage preapproval letter from a lender in hand means you can move quickly when you find the home you want.

Stage your dining room for yourself -- or for the next owners. Here are four simple suggestions to make the space inviting and comfortable.

Design Your Dream Dining Room The goal of a great dining room space is universal. It should be inviting and make guests want to linger at the table. Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or you’re staying put, we’ve gathered four simple strategies to make your dining room a comfortable spot to gather around the table....

Loads of clothes and not a closet in sight? Here are simple solutions for storing your wardrobe.

No Closets, No Problem! Walk-in closets are a perennial favorite among home buyers. But older homes and small townhouses and condos may have only small closets — or worse — no closets at all in some rooms. While not ideal, lack of closet space is not an insurmountable obstacle. Once you’ve paired down your wardrobe t...

Today's flooring options go way beyond just carpet or hardwoods. Check out this handy guide.

Home Flooring Choices: From Practical to Elegant Whether you are building a new house or updating an existing one, beautiful floors are fundamental for a warm, inviting home. Over the years, flooring choices have expanded dramatically, making the process a little overwhelming. Here’s a helpful guide. Wood flooring. We’ll start with arguably th...

You don’t need a degree in finance to understand a mortgage, but the choices can be confusing. Take a look at this primer to make sure you secure the best loan for your home.

Choosing the Best Mortgage for You Shopping for a home also means shopping for a mortgage. If this is all new to you, the multitude of mortgage types might be confusing. Here’s what you need to know. Fixed-rate mortgage. The fixed-rate mortgage is the most traditional way to finance a home. Typically available in fifteen- and thirt...

In the world of real estate, counting rooms in a house isn’t as easy as it sounds. Make a mistake and it could cost you thousands.

When Is a Room Not a Room? When selling your house, does room count matter? What defines a room? And who gets to decide? How much will it affect my bottom dollar?

Are timeshares and vacation clubs worth the money? Read the fine print before you buy.

Timeshares and Vacation Clubs: Do Your Homework If you enjoy an annual trek to the mountains or beach, and enjoy the simplicity of staying at the same place, a timeshare purchase might be a good option for you. If you like a little more variety in your vacation, but hate the hassle of trip planning, a vacation club membership might fit your […]

Want to know the secret to creating a home you love? Use this article to help you discover your personal preferences for a dream decor.

What is Your Design Style? If your new home is a blank canvas and you aren’t sure how to decorate, or you have rooms that you don’t like and no idea how to fix them, you may need some help identifying your design style. Before you do anything else, it’s crucial to know what kind of style you prefer. Use […]

The mortgage approval process is stressful enough without inadvertently setting off an alarm with the lender. Here are the dos and don’ts of the approval process.

Home Mortgage Process: Do This, Not That The mortgage approval process is rigorous. Since the housing bubble burst in 2008, federal regulators have ratcheted up their standards. Here’s a list of the do’s and don’ts to be approved. Do this. Brace yourself to comply with the documentation process, which is extensive. Always be truthful...

Are you thinking about hiring an inspector before you list? Here are the pros and cons.

Should Sellers ‘Pre-Inspect’ Their Homes? While inspections are commonplace when buying a home, should you, as the seller, consider having your home “pre-inspected” before listing it? Here are the pros and cons. Knowledge is power. Having your home professionally inspected gives you a clear understanding of its needs before you price it...

Six remodeling projects that are a must to help elderly family members remain in their homes.

Home Renovations Key to Aging in Place As people age, routine movement around the home may become a challenge. If seniors choose to age in place, what can be done to ensure comfort and safety when simply moving about the house? Let’s take a look. A ramp makes a house more accessible to those using wheelchairs or walkers. Eliminating a ...

Are you prepared for a bedbug emergency? Here’s what to do if you spot the pesky creatures.

Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite... Population increases — combined with the ease of worldwide travel — mean your chances of a bedbug encounter in a hotel room are on the rise. So it’s not surprising that many bedbugs hitch a ride home. Be vigilant. Bedbugs are parasites. Like mosquitos and ticks, they feast on the blood of a ho...

Find out how buying a home can minimize the sting of the IRS.

Tax Benefits of Homeownership For most people, their home is their biggest investment -- and their biggest tax benefits. As always, it’s best to consult your tax adviser for specific information, but let’s walk through the most common, basic tax savings of homeownership.

Plumbing problems can be one of the worst nightmares for a homeowner, especially when trying to prep a house for sale. How do you find a reputable plumber?

Hiring a Plumber You’ve decided to sell your home, which means it’s time to fix that slow drip in the upstairs hall bathroom. Or perhaps you’ve been setting aside the cash to do a major renovation, including a new sink, tub and shower. Or maybe your home is in desperate need of a replacement hot water tank. Al...

Here is your guide to achieving neighborhood yard envy without wasting water or emptying your wallet.

Watering Wisdom: Tips for a Lush Landscape on a Budget It’s more than a nice feeling to have a lush lawn and showy flower beds — it’s a solid investment in your home. In fact, according to some estimates, landscaping accounts for about 18 percent of the value of your home. But it’s important to be savvy about watering so that your investment doe...

Are you drowning in files? Check this list of the do’s and don’ts of document storage, including all-important IRS guidelines.

When to Keep, When to Toss Those Important Documents Ever wonder how long you should keep important documents such as old tax returns, mortgage documents, and home appliance receipts? Here’s a list of what to keep and when it’s safe to shred. Tax records. The IRS advises keeping tax returns and supporting documentation for at least three years —...

Active duty military personnel and veterans have their own set of needs when buying and selling a home. Here’s what to look for in an agent.

Finding a Military Friendly Real Estate Agent Veterans and active-duty military require special help when buying and selling real estate. From frequent moves to special government loans, members of the military need a specially trained real estate agent who knows the ins and outs of military life. Agents with knowledge and experience. When look...

Enhancing your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to break the bank. Check out these seven ways to add sizzle on a budget.

Curb Appeal on a Budget: Improving the Exterior of Your House Creating a first impression doesn’t just apply to people, it applies to your house if you have it listed for sale. How can you make it shine affordably so that when buyers drive up, they love the look? Fresh paint adds an inexpensive facelift to any home, even if you just do touch up. Be […]

What do butterflies and buyers have in common? Both will be attracted to your home by these beautiful summer container plants!

Beautiful Blooms Enhance Summer Curb Appeal Potted arrangements are a great way to add curb appeal — even during the summer when soaring temperatures can turn gorgeous potted plants into shriveled eyesores. When selecting plants for summer container gardens, look for varieties that can thrive in sun, heat, and potential drought. If multiple...

Your roof stands between you and the weather outside. How is it built and how do you keep it in good shape?

How to Protect the Roof Over Your Head You buy a house to literally put “a roof over your head,” so having a trustworthy roof is vital. What are the key components to a roof and how do you keep it in good condition? Layer upon layer. From the ground, only the outermost layer of the roof is visible. That outer layer, made […]

The house you fell in love with is in a flood zone. Should you automatically walk away? Here’s what to consider.

Proceed With Caution: Buying a Home in a Flood Zone You’ve been shopping for a home and believe you’ve found it, the home of your dreams. It’s the perfect size, the style of architecture you love and a place to raise your family. Then you find out it’s in a flood zone. What does that mean in terms of risk, insurance and resale? Should you [.....

Before you sink a small fortune into renovating your home, check out this list of improvements that may not provide an adequate return at resale.

Home Remodeling Projects That Can Lose You Money Before jumping into a home remodeling project, think hard about the reasons behind your proposed renovations. If an anticipated big payoff at resale time is one of your top priorities, you might want to reconsider. Here are a few of the biggest home improvement losers:

Today’s air conditioning units are better than ever, providing home cooling plus energy savings. Get the details on how your system works to keep you (and your budget) comfortable.

New Air Conditioning Technology Delivers Cool Temperatures, Hot Savings In today’s world, we take air conditioning for granted. We’ve come to expect cool indoor temperatures regardless of how high the outdoor temperature soars. Let’s take a look under the hood, so to speak, at the equipment that keeps us all comfortable. How it works. Air conditioning units are co...

If books are weighing down your décor, it might be time to begin a new chapter in organization.

Too Many Books, Too Little Space Whether you’re moving or just looking for a more streamlined look, your bookshelves are an obvious place to consider paring down. Books are heavy and take up a lot of space. With the continued popularity of electronic reading devices that store hundreds of books in the palm of your hand, is it rea...

It's 4th of July! How are you celebrating?

Once you've made an offer, here's what you need to know about the home inspection process.

Don’t Delay When It Comes to Home Inspections You’ve found a house you love, made an offer and have a signed contract in hand. Now the clock is ticking. Many states’ sales contracts give a limited period of time to get the house inspected. During this so-called “due diligence period,” is when you want to inspect the house and request an...

Children’s rooms are a labor of love. Follow these simple steps to create a space your kid will love ...even as they grow.

How to Create Timeless Room Decor for Kids Children’s rooms are among the most difficult to decorate — mostly because the occupants are constantly growing and changing. Within a matter of years, that perfect princess- or train-themed room looks too babyish for a pr***en, sending you back to square one. Whether you’re treating your chil...