Kathleen Finnegan

Tips & Tricks Category

9 Tips for Developing Better Habits

Change never happens overnight. As we continue into the fourth month of 2016, how many goals for this year have you gotten closer to? Around month four of the new year, most could use not only a boost of encouragement but also a few helpful tools to stay on the right track. The 9 tips below are sure to do just that! Continue Reading >

tricks of the trade : negotiating closing costs

At the end of the home-buying process, you will be faced with closing costs, the fees due at signing are required to complete a home sale. Closing costs can be expensive, but some of those fees may be negotiable. Here are some tips for navigating closing costs. Check the Market Temperature The nature of the housing market may dictate whether the buyer or the seller picks up various closing costs. If it’s a buyer’s market—a bit cold and homes aren’t selling well—sellers may be more... Continue Reading >

5 easy tips for outdoor summer staging

Buyers are drawn to backyards in the summer months. These simple tips will help ensure a listing’s outdoor space looks inviting. Just as summer marks a segue from basement birthday bashes and dining room celebrations, it also means sellers should adjust their staging strategy to include outdoor spaces — especially during the months that backyard BBQs and poolside cocktails reign It makes perfect sense to me from the point of view of preparing for a sale, just like indoors, you don’t... Continue Reading >

tax tips for sellers

With tax season upon us, many sellers have questions about what they will end up owning. While it is always important to consulate your tax professional to understand the tax implications, here are some tax tips for home sellers: Make Sure You Don’t Owe Capital Gains Tax The windfall you receive from real estate price appreciation is considered a capital gain, and may be taxable by the federal government. For example, if you bought a place at $150,000 and sold it for $225,000, your... Continue Reading >

tips for building stronger goals in 2015

With the holidays right around the corner its almost time to begin goal setting for 2015 and if done well goals lead the way to improved productivity and performance for individuals, departments, teams and companies as a whole. Yet despite widespread use of goals both personally and professionally, most people fall victim to a number of mistakes in how they are executed. Often times we get caught up in the goals themselves and fail to realize that what we should be... Continue Reading >

tips for drought-proofing your yard

Fighting drought can be time-consuming and expensive. With forecasters and scientists predicting warming temperatures and more extreme weather events as the new normal, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that droughts could become more common and severe in the future. Making some changes to your approach to landscaping can keep you from worrying about your water bill and the well-being of your lawn when the weather isn't quite cooperating. Here are four ways to drought-proof your yard: * Choose your plants wisely.... Continue Reading >

labor day road trip tips!

The long, lingering days of summer are starting to come to a close, and lazy weekends and warm-weather getaways will soon be    nothing more than memories. Before you know it, you’ll be back running shuttles to soccer practice and shoveling the driveway. Unless, of course, you plan one last summer fling. Make the most of Labor Day this year by packing up the car and escaping for the weekend. With a map and a bit of wanderlust, you can manage to... Continue Reading >

4 ways to get an offer accepted

Buying a house is a little like asking someone to marry you. if you want your house offer to be greeted with a yes – and a quick one – here are four rules to follow. 1. Be nice: While money is important, buyers should also be likable and avoid making negative comments about the house or discussing their renovation plans in front of the seller, keeping in mind that sellers have an emotional connection to the property. Don't tell someone... Continue Reading >

natural ways to make your home critter-free

Items you most likely already have around the house can ward off pesky critters. Block Flies with Basil Flies hate the smell of basil. To discourage them, place pots of basil at doorways and windowsills and on the kitchen counter. Don't have enough sun for potted basil? Put dried basil in a small muslin pouch, rubbing it occasionally to keep the scent strong. Scare Off Spiders with Citrus Spiders are not fond of citrus. In a spray bottle, mix water and unsweetened lemon or... Continue Reading >

throwing shade: picking the perfect paint color

I see a lot of interiors and whether your buying or selling a home, paint is always a topic of conversation. I read this article recently that talked about great ways to approach painting a room, or multiple rooms, in your home. Some of the tips are great for design in general. Painting your walls is one of the easiest ways to transform the look of your living space. What is not so easy is selecting the perfect colors. The choices are... Continue Reading >