Depending on where you live, sellers will need to disclose information about the condition of your property to the buyer when selling a home. The disclosure statement provides the buyer with a better understanding of the home and its potential problems. It helps to show the buyer that there aren’t things they need to be aware of that might negatively affect its value. If you don’t disclose everything that you have knowledge of about the property in a transfer disclosure statement, there could be legal ramifications. If there are material facts that affect the condition of the home, then this…

Many people fantasize about financing a good chunk of their retirement by selling their current home, buying a smaller place, and investing the difference for income. In reality, however, they often reap far less profit than they might have hoped. Done right, downsizing can still be a good idea. You might not just walk away with more money but also simplify your life and reduce your home-maintenance and utility costs for years to come. To reach that happy outcome, you need to steer around the unexpected pitfalls that make downsizing so dicey. Here are four traps that await downsizers, with ways…

When you walk into a room, it’s usually easy to see what needs to be cleaned up. There’s a pile of dirty laundry just waiting to be done; or the kitchen sink is piled with dirty dishes, pots, and pans.  But once the obvious things are cleaned away, do you forget about the rest of the room? Take a look at seven places you’re forgetting to clean during your cleaning routine. 1. Undersides of Furniture – When you look under a bed or sofa there are usually a few dust bunnies rolling around that can be quickly captured with a vacuum or dust mop. But did…

For homeowners and renters lucky enough to have backyards, these outdoor spaces have become more important than ever in recent months. And since summer is officially here, it should come as no surprise that many residents are sprucing up their patios, decks, and backyards to make them comfortable oases for relaxing and spending quality time with loved ones. But with so many choices in terms of furniture, accessories, and other outdoor elements, it can be overwhelming to decide what exactly to splurge on — especially if you’re working with a blank slate or a tight budget. 1. A dining set Eating al fresco is…