Property Management News

With the economy stabilized and home prices rising in much of the U.S. market, homeowners who spent the recession watching home remodeling on TV may now be ready to do some real-life work on their homes. That can mean wading into a world both alien and expensive. The contractor you hire will make all the difference to the success and affordability of your project. Rip-off artists and incompetents aren’t in the majority, but they are common enough that Spike TV has built a reality show, “Catch a Contractor,” around homeowners’ complaints of botched home construction and remodeling jobs. So, how do you set up the best outcome for your job? Outside of TV, contractors come in... Read more

From curb appeal to preinspections, these real estate pros share their proven selling strategies. Although my neighborhood doesn’t allow people to park their cars (or pickup trucks) on the front lawn, not everyone complies. But when these iconoclasts are ready to sell? Let’s just say they find a new use for the garage. Sometimes all it takes is a professional point of view. A real estate agent who suggests the seller work on curb appeal can do more than any homeowners’ association ever could — a recommendation to spruce up the lawn becomes a done deal before you can say “unsightly” three times fast. Improving curb appeal is only one important strategy when selling your home.... Read more