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How Much Should I Have in My Rainy Day Fund?

By brandonhirst / June 3, 2019 / Comments Off on How Much Should I Have in My Rainy Day Fund?

When you’re factoring in the expenses of home ownership, the cost of things like your mortgage, taxes, and insurance are calculated. And there’s a general sense of “I’ll need to plan to cover the cost of repairs and maintenance.” But how much do you need to have accessible (saved) to cover the expense of home […]

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DIY: Outdoor Privacy

By brandonhirst / May 27, 2019 / Comments Off on DIY: Outdoor Privacy

You love your neighbors (hopefully). You love the feeling of community and togetherness. Chances are also high that you like privacy and boundaries as well. Most folks think of fences when they think of privacy. But fences can be a prohibitively expensive proposition, particularly if you’re not likely to be in your current home for […]

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“Happy Memorial Day Weekend”?

By brandonhirst / May 24, 2019 / Comments Off on “Happy Memorial Day Weekend”?

It is a phrase that many of us have probably heard and even maybe uttered a time or two in our lives. It is late May and we are having lunch with a coworker or friend and as we head in our separate directions at the end of the meal we blurt out, “Have a […]

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Neighborhood Fun

By brandonhirst / May 20, 2019 / Comments Off on Neighborhood Fun

Your neighbors are important because everyone wants to live in a nice neighborhood. Because we, despite living in a world that’s seemingly constantly connected, feel disconnected and long for the idyllic streets of our childhood (or the heartwarming movies we watch). Because we fantasize about our kids, fresh into yet another military move, bonding instantly […]

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Home Ownership or Adventure?

By brandonhirst / May 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Home Ownership or Adventure?

Home ownership is the American dream for many military families. The idea of setting down roots, even temporary ones, can be incredibly appealing when you’re so often on the move. Also appealing is the idea of traveling the world—getting to decide where you want to go for a change, rather than being at the mercy […]

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10 Tips for Spring-Cleaning Your House

By brandonhirst / May 6, 2019 / Comments Off on 10 Tips for Spring-Cleaning Your House

There’s something miraculous about spring. The skies are bright, the sun is shining, everything is new and fresh and beginning to blossom. It’s as though the earth has given us a do-over button, and it’s the perfect time to bring that feeling to your home with a good spring-cleaning. Most of us love the results […]

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Let\’s get organized with \”Home Search Tracking Sheets\”!

By brandonhirst / April 29, 2019 / Comments Off on Let\’s get organized with \”Home Search Tracking Sheets\”!

Searching for the right home can be such a rush! You\’ve casually looked at homes online for months, stalked your favorites as they went under contract, and maybe even sold before you were ready. Now you\’re finally hopping in the car to get inside the properties that made the initial cut. You may be visiting a dozen […]

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Tax Season

By brandonhirst / April 22, 2019 / Comments Off on Tax Season

While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law in December 2017, this is the first tax year under the new tax laws. Whether you rented, purchased, or sold real estate in 2018, changes in the tax code will have implications for gross taxable income, eligible deductions, and exemptions that can be […]

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DIY: Curb Appeal

By brandonhirst / April 15, 2019 / Comments Off on DIY: Curb Appeal

The calendar says it’s spring and, if you call somewhere with more than one season home, it’s likely that spring arrived just as you and your family were starting to experience some serious cabin fever. It’s the time of year for sunshine and cool breezes and fresh air outside with loved ones. It’s also the […]

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Awkward Moments in Real Estate

By brandonhirst / April 8, 2019 / Comments Off on Awkward Moments in Real Estate

In honor of National Humor Month, we’re sharing some of the hilariously awkward moments that can happen when you’re buying or selling a home. Better than that, we’re sharing tips for how to avoid them in the first place! Avoid surprises. Surprises are great—for your birthday. They’re less wonderful when it comes to being caught […]

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