Karen Shea's Blog

Posted on 03/29/2020

Home Improvement: Reasons to Hire a Professional

Photo by oneSHUTTER oneMEMORY via Shutterstock When it comes to home improvement, renovations, upgrades and expansions, seek the assistance of a professional. Why do you need a pro? Unless you built your home yourself, you might not understand all the factors that combine to engineer a house such as the electrical needs to support the load and the...

Posted on 03/22/2020

Reduce Energy Consumption in Your Kitchen

Image by Milly Eaton from Pexels Cooking or baking, refrigerating food and running the dishwasher all contribute to the amount of energy your home uses overall. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, refrigerators use the highest amount of energy in household kitchens. While large appliances require more energy, lighting and other sources of energy, such as water...

Posted on 03/19/2020

Video Tour - 132 Stow Rd, Harvard, MA 01451

++Charming Updated Custom Contemporary++ Set back from a country road on 3+ acres this light, bright home with an open floor plan epitomizes comfortable modern living at it's best. The first floor includes 3 bedrooms, family room with sliders to the outdoors, a cozy nook for reading, an updated full bath & the most amazing laundry room, ever. The second floor has a fabulous kitchen with granite/stainless steel, high end Gaggenau cook top, hood vent & wall oven. The kitchen flows into the living room & dining room & the screen porch beyond. Walls of glass bring the outside in to this captivating living space with a freestanding stone...

Posted on 03/19/2020

132 Stow Rd, Harvard, MA 01451 is now new to the market!

++Charming Updated Custom Contemporary++ Set back from a country road on 3+ acres this light, bright home with an open floor plan epitomizes comfortable modern living at it's best. The first floor includes 3 bedrooms, family room with sliders to the outdoors, a cozy nook for reading, an updated full bath & the most amazing laundry room, ever. The second floor has a fabulous kitchen with granite/stainless steel, high end Gaggenau cook top, hood vent & wall oven. The kitchen flows into the living room & dining room & the screen porch beyond. Walls of glass bring the outside in to this captivating living space with a freestanding stone...

Posted on 03/15/2020

What is a Bi-Weekly Mortgage Plan?

Photo by Designer491 via Shutterstock The term “bi-weekly” means every other week. If you get paid bi-weekly, you usually get your check every other Friday. When it comes to a mortgage, typical amortization plans (payments of principal and interest) use a 30-year/360-month calculation. But many lenders offer a bi-weekly plan too. In this case, you would make 26...

Debt

Mortgage Plan

Posted on 03/08/2020

How to Deal with Ice Dams Safely

Image by Emilian Robert Vicol from Pixabay Have you ever gone outside after a patch of cold weather to find long icicles hanging from your roof's edge? These spears of ice are usually caused by an ice dam forming along your eaves or roof's edge and can be dangerous when they melt and go flying to the ground....

Home Maintenance

Winter Home Maintenance

+ 1 more

Posted on 03/01/2020

Improve Curb Appeal with a DIY Walkway

Photo by Craig Tidball on Unsplash It's probably much easier and less expensive than you realize to improve your home's curb appeal. Simple fixes such as replacing rickety porch railings or giving trim a fresh, bright coat of paint go a long way toward making prospective home buyers smile. And when you create a welcoming pathway, that leads...

Posted on 02/23/2020

Is It Worthwhile to Invest in Home Improvements?

For a home seller who wants to maximize his or her house sale earnings, it may be beneficial to invest in property improvements. In fact, there are many reasons why now may be a good time to perform property upgrades. These reasons include: 1. You can make your house an attractive option to prospective buyers. As a home seller,...

Home Improvements

Selling Your Home

Posted on 02/16/2020

When Is The Best Time To Sell Your Home?

If you're ready to sell your home, you may wonder if the time is right. Timing is truly everything when you’re selling a home. If you have some flexibility, it might be a good idea to wait to sell your home. Even with time constraints, there are a few strategies to employ that can help you find the sweet...

Tips On Selling

Selling Your Home

Posted on 02/09/2020

Recreational Ranching in the New Year

Image by Lisa Johnson from Pixabay So you've always wanted your own ranch land out west. Is now the time to buy? According to the Wall Street Journal, it could be -- but only if you feel confident. There are plenty of luxury, sprawling ranches to be had at rock-bottom prices, but the upkeep and ownership of a...

Posted on 02/02/2020

Know What You Want and Can Afford in a New Home

When you decide to make an offer on a home, your mind may be flooded with dozens of questions and concerns -- several of which may involve money matters, while others are about the condition of the house. However, if you've had the house professionally inspected and made sure your income is sufficient to absorb monthly expenses, than you've...

Questions To Ask Before Buying A Home

First Time Buyer

+ 1 more

Posted on 01/26/2020

How Should You Approach a Mortgage Application?

Filling out a mortgage application may prove to be a long, exhausting process. Fortunately, we're here to help you streamline the mortgage application process so you can move one step closer to acquiring your dream house. Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you approach the mortgage application process with confidence. 1. Be Thorough A mortgage...

Mortgage

Buying A Home