Tips to make moving safer and more affordable

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 25 November 2008 14:06

REfocusMovingTips.jpg For moving large furniture items, an ergonomically designed shoulder dolly can make the job easier and safer.

If you’re one of the approximately 50 million Americans moving this year, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune to get from point A to point B. With a little planning ahead, it’s possible to execute a do-it-yourself move without breaking the bank.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 16 percent of all moves are work-related—moving to find a new job or to be closer to a current job. Whatever your reason for moving, you don’t have to pay a company to pack up your belongings and transport them to your new home. Here are some easy ways to move yourself and stay on budget:

n If you need to rent...

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Seven projects that will help the kitchen sell your house

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 19 August 2008 14:05

Kitchen-real-estate-focus.jpg With just a week’s time, a small investment and a bit of elbow grease, you can easily turn your kitchen into your selling feature with these seven projects.

In today’s market, selling a home involves much more than posting a “for-sale” sign in the yard. Preparation is key. In fact, experts agree that property appearance and condition play a big role in the home-sale process.

While home improvements can increase buyers’ interests, most sellers hesitate to renovate, fearing they may not recoup their costs in the sales price. However, with strategic updates in key rooms, such as kitchens, sellers can increase the value of a home—giving them a leg up on their neighbors to sell more easily and...

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Downsizing doesn't necessarily mean donwgrading

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 19 August 2008 14:01

Downsizing-REF.jpg What’s driving the trend toward affordable luxury? The homebuying population is graying and the number of single-person households is rising. The population of Americans 65 and older will climb 147 percent between 2000 and 2050, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts.

When shopping for real estate, bigger used to mean better. But preferences are changing, particularly in a tight economy where every dollar needs to go further. A new aesthetic is taking hold, and it’s been dubbed “affordable luxury.”

“Affordable luxury means living within your means, and yet surrounded by beauty, style and convenience,” said builder Russ Walthall who, with his wife Vickee, has 25 years of experience designing and...

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Internet common ground from both buyers and sellers

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 22 July 2008 14:37

Home buyers and sellers—the relationship may seem like it should be more adversarial than ever, given the current market. Coming at the real estate equation from opposite sides, buyers and sellers may feel they have little in common. But the truth is both groups share a common path to real estate success—the Internet.

The Internet has been revolutionizing real estate for years now with more than 80 percent of buyers look at homes on the Internet, according to the National Association of Realtors.

“More homes than ever before are being marketed on the Internet,” says Kendra Todd, of HGTV’s “My House is Worth What?” and season three winner of “The Apprentice.” “Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s essential to...

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