Bob's Real Estate Blog

If you’re looking for a unique home, you may be considering buying a historic house.

Here are the pros and cons of purchasing a historic home.

Pros

A Home With a Story " If living in a famous persons old property excites you, a historic home might be perfect.

Unique Architecture " Many people are attracted to unique architecture and many historic homes offer that charm.

Tax Incentives " Some areas offer tax incentives to people who purchase historic homes.

Cons

Repairs " The biggest downside is that historic homes often require a lot of repairs.

Renovations " Even if repairs arent required, you still may need to update the home with modern conveniences.

Insurance costs " Historic homes can bring much higher insurance costs than rates for typical houses.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Getting ready to walk down the aisle? Congratulations! As you prep for your new life together, it’s important to talk about the big stuff. While hopefully you’ve cleared some topics already"like whether or not kids are in your future"the following conversations can help create a smooth ride should things shift later on.

Location, location, location. How happy are you both where you currently live? If kids enter the picture, would you want to move closer to family? Would either of you be willing to move with the other for a work opportunity? Clear these things now to minimize surprises later when one of you gets a new job offer or wants to leave city (or country) living behind.

Finances. How will marriage impact the way you do your finances? Will you share certain expenses? Merge bank accounts? Keep things separate? Money is the No. 1 cause of dissatisfaction in marriages, so financially clear the table now to save trouble later.

Home sweet home? If you aren’t already homeowners, is owning a home high on your priority list? If so, create a plan together to achieve it. Set a goal for when you would like to make the move from renting to owning. How much money should you each sock away annually to make your goal a reality? What does your dream home look like, and do your wants and needs align?

Hope you found this information helpful! Contact me for more insights and info.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Looking to kick the caffeine? While a moderate amount of the buzzy stuff has been shown to have heart benefits, it’s easy to overdo it or find yourself addicted to that morning jolt. If you’re looking to slay your latte habit, consider the following tips.

Time it right. Quitting anything you’re addicted to is challenging, and coffee is no exception. Choose a time that will support your withdrawal. The Monday your big work project is due? Not the best time.

A long weekend is a great time to begin so that you can distract yourself or, at worst, lay down with that 3 p.m. headache.

Find a suitable substitution. If you don’t want to quit cold turkey, you can find a substitution. Some people like to guzzle tea, water, or even decaf coffee as they wean themselves off that fresh brew. A more overlooked substitution is raw cacao. Sold in many grocery stores and available online, cacao nibs pack a caffeine punch that can help wean you slowly off the java juice. Warning: They’re bitter, and some people enjoy them more than others.

Warn everyone. Make sure to tell your friends, partner, and close colleagues you’re cutting coffee. This way, they can support you by nixing that afternoon coffee invite, and they’ll understand if you’re a bit groggy or snippy for the first few days.

Interested in housing and real estate tips? Feel free to contact me directly.

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Here are four striking countertops that will up the style factor in your kitchen…

Sintered Stone

Sintered stone combines the classic look of natural stone with all the benefits of a durable, man-made surface.

Soapstone

Whether youre going for a traditional or modern look, this natural stone works well in a variety of styles.

Caesarstone

Made from a blend of quartz and resin, Caesarstone is an increasingly popular manufactured surface.

Quartzite

With bold swirling patterns quartzite is a natural stone that can make any kitchen pop.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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