Trish Pullin, Broker, Realtor, affiliate of Fathom Realty-Raleigh

It's a good idea to keep your outdoor lights on when selling - you never know when someone may be driving by to have a look. You may also want to consider enhancing your night-time curb appeal. Here's a guide to outdoor lighting for your home.

Outdoor Lighting Helps Sell Your Home At Night The right outdoor lighting can bring an almost magical transformation to a house and landscaping at night. Here are some of the ways outdoor lighting can shine a light on a home’s best features. Function first. At the most basic level, outdoor lighting covers the key points of access to the proper...

When your water heater fails, it’s never at a good time: mid-shower, in the middle of a load of clothes or when you’re washing dishes. Here are the signs it’s time to repair or replace your heater.

When to Replace Your Water Heater Taking a shower is soothing and comforting until the hot water suddenly isn’t. Prevent a crisis with guide to your home hot water heater.

Some states have a real estate contract provision called the active option, or option period. This gives the buyer a designated time period to inspect the property and decide whether to move forward with the sale. Here's how they work.

What is an Active Option Contract? Real estate sales contracts in Texas and several other states include a provision known as the active option. Here’s how a contract works.

Staging Tip: Cut some fresh flowers and place in rooms that need a little breath of fresh air.

Families accumulate stuff over the years, which turns into clutter and chaos. Read about why we accumulate clutter and how to get rid of it before listing your home.

Conquer the Accumulation of Clutter We accumulate items over a lifetime which becomes annoying clutter in the house. Taking a look at what causes the clutter in the may help you eliminate it.

😬 Worried about student loans hindering your dream of homeownership? Fear not! 📘 My Home Buyer's Handbook is a complete guide to landing your first home! Download now to learn what's needed to secure your first home. 🏡🔑

⏬ Qualifying For a Mortgage With Student Loan Debt [DOWNLOAD] function recaptchaCB() { jQuery(' ').removeAttr('disabled'); }Your Name (required)Your Email (required)Phone Number (optional)

Homeowners insurance companies may refuse to cover a liability claim related to certain dog breeds. Read about the 12 breeds insurers avoid and how to get coverage if you own one of them.

Homeowners Insurers Shy Away From These Dog Breeds Some homeowners insurers refuse to insure certain dog breeds. Check the list below, and if you own one of these 12 breeds, consult with your agent.

While online mortgage lenders can save you money, you may be better served working in-person with a loan officer. See the Pros and Cons here.

Should You Use an Online Mortgage Lender? Mortgage lending is yet another industry that has undergone massive change by the internet. Online lenders advertise fast and easy transactions while traditional lenders offer more personal service. Regardless of which option you choose, it’s important to understand the difference between a mortga...

White cabinets - yay or nay?

Congratulations - you’ve sold your house! After paying off your mortgage, you’ll have a tidy sum, but not all of that is yours to keep. First, you must account for the assorted costs of selling. Here’s what you need to know about the seller’s closing costs.

Counting the Closing Costs Before You Sell Both the seller and buyer must pay certain closing costs from the sales proceeds. What the seller actually receives is what’s left after those payments.

Estate sales can offer some terrific bargains if you know the ropes. Here’s how to score the best deals.

Buying Smart At Estate Sales Estate sales can offer quality used goods at great prices. Here’s how an estate sale works, what you can expect to find and what you should avoid buying.

Here's a helpful checklist you can use to prepare for meeting with your agent before beginning your home search.

Prepare to Work With Your Agent Your real estate professional is not just a guide but your best asset when searching for potential homes. They are equipped with the knowledge and experience to navigate the complex world of real estate. However, your agent needs certain key information to find the right fit. Knowing what to tell yo...

Formal Dining Rooms: A thing of the past, or making a comeback?

An installment sale of property can provide tax benefits worth thousands of dollars to a seller. It can also help a buyer purchase without mortgage financing. Here’s how it works.

Save on Taxes With a Real Estate Installment Sale If you sell real property, you can avoid or reduce your capital gains tax by structuring the deal as an installment sale. Here’s how it works.

Tired of spotty Wi-Fi coverage in your home? A Wi-Fi extender or mesh network may solve the problem.

Solving Dead Spots With a Home Wi-Fi Extender Sometimes the router in a home Internet system doesn’t cover all areas equally. A Wi-Fi extender or a mesh system may be the solution to those dead spots.

Found the home of your dreams and ready to make an offer? Here's how it's done as well as the responsibilities of both parties.

Making an Offer to Buy a House: What You Need to Know Navigating competing offers when buying a house is tricky, and applicable laws vary from state to state. Here is what you need to know.

Hammocks are a great addition to a back yard. Do you find them comfy or do you feel cramped?

There are many discount real estate brokers available to home sellers. Are the big savings worth it, or do you lose money in the long run? Here’s a comparison of the costs and benefits of using a discount versus a full-cost broker.

Pros and Cons of Using a Discount Broker When selling your home, you might consider a discount broker to save on commissions. Consider the costs and benefits to see if this is right for you.

🚫 Struggling with Bad Credit? 💪 Take Control with these DIY Credit Repair tips in my FREE Home Buyer's Handbook.

⏬ 10 Ways To Help Repair Your Credit History [DOWNLOAD] Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Phone Number (optional)

Now that you’re working remotely from your home office, how do you clean up the unsightly tangle of cables and wires from all your devices? Use this guide to master that tangle tango.

The Tangle Tango: Hide Those Unsightly Cords The growth in home technology creates some unsightly cords hanging from everywhere. Here’s how to manage cords effectively and attractively in your home.

You may have rented apartments, but renting a home is different in many ways. Here’s what you need to know.

Is Renting a Home Right for You? You probably think first of an apartment when it comes to renting. Instead, let’s consider the differences between renting a home versus an apartment.

Let's talk downsizing - Could you live in a tiny home?

Before hosting an open house, it's a great idea to make an info packet about your home, neighborhood and town to help buyers easily learn all the benefits of making you an offer. Learn more about prepping for an open house in this article.

Make an Info Packet About Your Home, Neighborhood and Town for Open Houses You’ve decided to hold an open house to help sell your home. Think of it as your chance to showcase it. Here are several crucial steps to take in preparation for the big day. Acquire the buyer’s perspective. Set aside your emotional attachment to your home and think about it as a potential buyer...

Umbrella insurance policies protect you from catastrophic liability claims. What is an umbrella policy, and do you need one?

Do You Need an Umbrella Insurance Policy? Your insurance agent may have recommended you add an umbrella policy to your homeowners or auto insurance policy. How can it protect you?

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying. They can also spread disease. Here are some tips for rescuing your yard and your health from these pesky bugs this summer.

Air Raid Defense: Eliminating Mosquitoes Around Your Home Eradicating mosquitoes on your property is an important health exercise, as well as a way to make time spent outdoors more enjoyable.

Is the kitchen sink window a "must have" for your home?