Congratulations! You’ve signed on the dotted line, packed up the car, and are ready to move into your first home! However, you might be surprised to discover all the things that you’ll need that you didn't think were necessary for apartment living.

Stock your home with these items and you will be prepared for any homeownership challenge that comes your way!

1. Window Treatments

Drapery, blinds, and shades are some of the first things you can add to make a home look less empty. Ad...

This post was written by Lisa Perta at Benchmark Morgage.

For many people, buying a home is a dream come true. It is often the most significant investment many of us will ever make. Because buying a home is such a big financial decision, prospective buyers should take the time to educate themselves on the basics. Before you begin your journey on the road to homeownership, here are a few important things you should know.

1. Check Your Credit

Your credit score is one of the mo...

Did you know that in the last decade or so, the number of household renters has grown by 10 percent? If you’ve ever thought about being a landlord, now is a great time to make your dream a reality!

Becoming a landlord with Lewith & Freeman

Becoming a landlord is a great option for anyone looking for a source of passive income. Buying your first rental property is a big step towards your future, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. When you work with a dedicated and experienced real...

Whether you’re building or buying a home, choosing the right floor plan is essential. It needs to fit you and your family’s needs and lifestyle. The search can be overwhelming and exhausting, so it's much easier to know what to look for so you can find your right floor plan. Take a look at what to consider so that you’re satisfied with the home you build or buy!

Budget

When building a home, consult with the builder or contractor on the cost of square footage you’re considering. Costs assoc...

Knowing you found the right home to purchase is both exciting and stressful. Factors such as cost, lot location, size, neighborhood, the age of the property, style, layout, and more must be considered when making this long-term purchase and commitment to a new home.

Further, many first-time home buyers have several fears that prevent or slow them down from signing on the dotted line. Such issues may include the fear of losing home value, costly maintenance, buyer’s remorse, and a high mortgag...

If you’re a frequent watcher of any type of real estate or home show, you’ve probably seen at least a few people who seem to nitpick the smallest details. Don’t get me wrong: when it comes to buying a home, you shouldn’t settle for something you’re going to hate or something that isn’t going to work for you or your family.

When looking at homes and determining whether or not they’ll work, it’s a good idea to keep a running pro/con list. This is a good way to keep your likes and dislikes toget...

Congratulations, you just purchased your first house! This new and exciting endeavor may have you eager to decide on furniture, kitchen housewares, and which piece of art should greet your guests when they walk through your newly-painted front door.

However, before you bask in the joy of the fun tasks ahead, you should cover all maintenance basics first. Doing so will reduce stress, increase efficiency, and save money in the long run. Here is Curb Appeal’s new homeowner’s maintenance guide th...