Kiersten Brewer, Realtor

Heyyy FB friends! If you are a part of my database, then you already know about this, but for those of you who aren’t, listen up! 🚨

I have recently learned about an exciting new grant program for people who have an income of $55,000 or less per year. This grant awards free money up to $15,000 to assist in buying a home. 🏡 If you would like more information on this grant program, please reach out to me and I will fill you in!

(903)524-5821
Julie Woods & Associates Real Estate Firm

Did your tax bill leave you in shock? Here’s what to do if your home’s property appraisal skyrocketed this year.

How to Protest Your Property Tax Appraisal If you received an unusually high property tax bill, don’t be afraid to fight back. Here’s how to effectively question your tax appraisal and file an appeal. Taxing authorities have two ways to boost tax revenue. One is to raise the tax rates. Typically, several local entities each has its own t...

Are you ready to go refrigerator shopping? Here’s how to pick the perfect model without getting overwhelmed.

5 Things to Consider When Buying a New Refrigerator Buying a refrigerator is a significant investment. With all the options available, shopping for a new one can be overwhelming. Here are some shopping tips.

The trend in home floor plans is smaller and more open. So why not reap the benefits when buying a new home?

4 Benefits of Today’s Smaller Homes The so-called “McMansions” are out and smaller homes with open floor plans are in. Let’s take a look at who is leading the trend and four resulting benefits. Trendsetters. Empty nesters and young couples with no children and limited budgets both find smaller homes desirable. Also fueling deman...

When moving dates don’t align, renting a storage unit can be a great short-term solution. Here’s what you need to consider.

5 Things You Need to Know About Storage Units While it rarely makes sense to store items long-term — the rent will eventually exceed the replacement value of your possessions — storage units can be a great help in short-term situations. When you need to move out of your old home a few months before the new home is ready — or you’re taki...

You’ve heard about saving big bucks by dropping cable TV in favor of online streaming, but you’re not a techie. Here’s what you need to know to make the switch.

Streaming TV Offers Cheaper Options than Cable and Satellite Thanks to the internet and smartphone apps, watching television will never be the same. So-called streaming TV is far cheaper than traditional cable and satellite television, which is driving its soaring popularity. Evolving technology. With cable and satellite, viewers are watching live feeds from....

September 11 is designated as Patriot Day, when we remember the victims of the terror attacks of 2001. When and for what purpose is the similarly named Patriots’ Day observed in the United States?

Patriot Day: Remembering 9/11 Since 1775, some of the New England states have marked the third Monday in April as Patriots’ Day in honor of the Battle of Lexington and Concord that marked the beginning of the American War of Independence from Great Britain.The new holiday began immediately following the terrorist attacks on Se...

Forget the uncomfortable plastic chairs. Outdoor relaxing isn’t complete without a cushy hammock or lounger. Check out these outdoor luxury choices.

Naptime Furniture Choices for the Outdoors Picture yourself on a nice afternoon, reading a book or magazine while lying on a hammock slung between two trees in your backyard. It’s a small slice of affordable homeowner heaven. Intrigued? Take a look at the best choices in outdoor lounging. Hammocks are a longtime favorite for backyard lazin...

Buying a home for $1? The only catch is that you have to move it.

Is Moving a House Worth the Cost? Under certain conditions you might consider having a house picked up from its foundation and moved to another location. When would this come into play and is it economically feasible? History in the moving. The historical significance of a house often plays a major role in whether it is considered f...

Haul away your household clutter, or hire the job out. Here’s a guide to help you decide.

Getting Rid of Your Junk Whether it’s years of accumulated clutter, old appliances, or household chemicals, it has to go. Is it a DIY job? Or do you need to call in the professionals? Here’s what you need to know. Identify the different types of trash in your home. Your household waste falls into three categories and ea...

Reducing to a smaller house and decluttering a lifetime of possessions may seem terrifying. Here’s a step-by-step plan toward freedom from stuff.

Simple Steps to Empty Nester Downsizing If your children are grown, it might be the perfect time to declutter decades worth of possessions and downsize the family home. Let’s take a look at how to get the job done with the least amount of tears shed. Choosing a house. Once you’ve decided to move, ask yourself a few questions about the...

In 1882, labor unions organized a parade to promote workers rights, which led to the beginning of the Labor Day holiday. Today, which profession has the largest number of unionized members?

Labor Day: Celebrating the American Worker The National Education Association, the union for teachers and school administrators, is the largest union with more than three million members. In 1894 President Grover Cleveland signed the law making the first Monday of September the federally recognized holiday known as Labor Day.

From the basement to the attic, here’s a top to bottom look at choices in stairways.

The Ups and Downs of Multiple Staircases In large multi-story houses, more than one staircase may exist. Attic stairs are common and some houses may even have an outside staircase for renters or a back set of steps as an entry to upstairs playrooms. Let’s go exploring up one staircase and down another. A showcase. The main (or only) stai...

Enjoying the architecture and craftsmanship of historic homes may be enticing, but ownership often comes with a hefty price. Check out the pros and cons.

Historical Homes: Buying a Piece of History While ownership of historic homes can be appealing, it’s definitely not for everyone. Historic homes have their own set of challenges and responsibilities. Here’s a look at the joys and frustrations of owning a piece of history. What qualifies as historic? Historic homes are recognized by an age...

Ready to brighten up those old fixtures and shabby cabinetry? Five helpful hints for a modern redo.

It’s Time to Dress Up That Tired Bathroom Bathroom sinks and countertops have come a long way from the standard-issue white porcelain sink dropped into laminate cabinetry that you find in many homes across the country. Need a change? Treat yourself and your bathroom to a gorgeous makeover. Countertops. The same great high-end surfaces avail...

If you own a rental, it’s your duty to know fair housing laws regarding Accessible Housing. Here’s a quick and easy refresher.

Renting Accessible Housing If you own a rental property, fairness and accessibility are key when renting to disabled tenants. Here's an overview of key points.

Time to “man” up and get working on your ideal home getaway space.

How to Create the Ultimate Man Cave In the emerging world of man-cave design, sports-themed rooms are the most popular, but certainly not the only choice. Video games, movies, and vintage cars are also common themes. Or, you might want to design a one-of-kind room based on your hometown or even a favorite hangout from your college day...

Does your new home need just a little something extra? Check out these ideas for tricking out your house with trim.

Add Some Zip to Your Home With Custom Trims Giving your home a welcoming custom feel is all in the architectural details. If your house is a bit blah, the solution may be as simple as adding trim. Moldings and trims on your ceilings, walls, doors, and windows add character and value to your home. Check out these five trim options to upgrade a...

The real estate marketing wave of the future is already here. Check out these tips on promoting your eco-friendly home.

Green Homes Growing in Popularity Eco-friendly homes are a growing segment of today’s real estate market. Tap into that environmentally conscious mindset with these tips for both buyers and sellers. Green agents. In most markets across the country, agents are earning a “green” designation from the National Association of REALT...

How can you save money on big-ticket home purchases? Hint: Look for the blue “Energy Star” label on products.

What Every Consumer Should Know About ‘Energy Star’ We’ve all seen the blue Energy Star logos on appliances, windows and even electronics, but what do they mean? Origins and purpose. The Energy Star program was launched in 1992 as a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Star encourages develo...

Don’t be in the dark about pendant lighting. Here are some bright options for your kitchen.

Shedding Light on Kitchen Pendants As one of the busiest and most productive rooms in a house, the kitchen needs lighting that is not only stylish but bright enough to illuminate the cooking, cleaning, snacking, studying and cleanup that makes this space a focal point of family life. As an addition to canned lights and as a replaceme...

Buying from a builder? Here are key things to know before signing the contract.

The Tale of Two Contracts: Builder Versus Resale When purchasing a new home from a builder, prospective buyers need to know that contract negotiations are a bit different from the typical resale process. First, and foremost, the on-site real estate agent works exclusively for the builder, meaning buyers need their own agent who puts their interest...

Is your beautiful home sitting on an ugly lot? Dress up the look of your property with these design ideas.

Landscaping Fixes for Oddly Shaped Lots Landscaping an unusually shaped property can be difficult, but not impossible. With a little design help, the right plants and some hard work, an unconventional yard can be transformed into a yard with gorgeous curb appeal. The trick is to draw the viewer’s eye away from the lot’s weaknesses to ...

Your kitchen may be small, but it doesn’t have to be short on style. Check out these five ways to go big in a tiny space.

Small Space, Big Style: Kitchen If your kitchen is on the small side, fear not. You, too, can have big style in a small space. With a focus on function, careful material choices, and a little creativity, your dream kitchen is possible — regardless of size. Check out our top five design solutions for tiny kitchens. Stay focused. ...

The right kind of landscape can transform your yard into a paradise for native birds.

7 Easy Steps to Turn Your Yard Into a Bird Sanctuary With just the right mix of trees, bushes and flowering plants, an ordinary yard can be transformed into a miniature bird sanctuary. Want to know how? Learn your native species. Consult local university websites, agricultural extension offices and other online sources for birds indigenous to your are...

Saving money for a down payment is a big challenge. So take advantage of several programs that can help.

Tap Into Little Known Sources for Down Payment Help Accumulating down payment money for a house is important, but can be challenging, especially for millennials bogged down in massive student loan debt. But don’t despair. Help is available through down payment assistance programs — in other words — free money. The Federal Housing Administration...

Is a swing set worth squabbling over when selling your home? Don’t let sweet memories stop a deal.

Don’t Let a Swing Set Sink the Sale of a Home When you put your home up for sale, what are your options regarding the basketball hoop, swing set or playhouse you installed for the kids? While homeowners may be especially sentimental when it comes to their children, it’s important to remember that not even a beloved swingset is worth losing a ...

No central air conditioning? No problem. Here’s the latest on an old standby: the window unit.

How to Buy a Window Air Conditioner If you find yourself living in a house or apartment without central air conditioning, it’s time to go shopping for a window unit. Here’s what to look for and how to properly maintain it. It’s a matter of BTUs. Shopping for a window air conditioner isn’t complicated. The main thing to look fo...

Do you dream about a good night’s sleep? Follow these simple tips to find a great mattress at a price that won’t give you nightmares.

What You Need to Know to Find the Best Mattress The right mattress can make the difference between tossing and turning and getting a great night’s sleep. With so many new options available, selecting the best mattress can be overwhelming. Follow these tips and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time. Shop around. If you haven’t shopped for a ...

Does location still matter in real estate? Read this article to find out!

Is the First Rule of Real Estate Still Location, Location, Location? Location is obviously important when considering where to purchase a home, but is it still the most important thing to consider? The answer is yes. Here’s why.