Hal Schlegel's Blog Posts

Staying cool can be difficult during uncomfortable summer spikes and dreaded heatwaves.According to fan manufacturer Lasko, an average homeowner spends nearly $2,000 annually on energy bills, with

Overspending is easy to do with a credit card – way too easy – and can often lead to debt.Researchers have found that even for people who don’t carry a balance each month

Stage Your Home for a Quicker Sale at a Higher PriceBefore the “For Sale” sign goes up, smart homeowners typically make any necessary repairs and clean until their homes shine. Home

Should You Buy a House Before Selling Yours?If you’re in the market for a new home, should you buy a house before selling your current home? That’s a tough call. Here are some important

How to Purchase a Home With No Down PaymentThe trend in home buying has moved away from large down payments. In fact, today’s average down payment is just 6 percent, with zero-out-of-pocket

Checklist for Getting Started In Your New HomeClosing on a new home may feel like reaching the finish line. But before you kick back and relax, take these important steps to settle into your new

How to Interact with Your Homeowners AssociationHomeowners associations, or HOAs, provoke strong feelings in some residential developments. Avoid conflicts with goodwill gestures such as these

HOW TO CHECK YOUR HOME FOR AIR LEAKSWe’re well into the fall season and winter is right around the corner. This is the time of year when it’s especially important to make sure your home

5 SECRETS WEAPONS FOR DIY PROJECTSIs there a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list for too long because you’re dreading the trip to the hardware or craft?

CREATE AN EVACUATION PLAN FOR YOUR PETSAn evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters are a

UPSIZING YOUR HOMEUnfortunately, our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn

Stopping the Flood of Junk Mail for GoodJunk mail is relentless. For every piece of mail worth keeping, it seems there are 10 that aren’t. But there are ways to stop, or at least slow, the

MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR HOMEOWNERSWhen you own your home, things are going to break and, unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix

DISPELLING REFINANCING MYTHS“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly

SHORT SALE AND FORECLOSURE: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and

5 NEGOTIATING TACTICS THAT KILL SALENegotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the

ORGANIC FOOD ON A BUDGETOrganic food usually tastes better, and is better for you, but it can also be very expensive compared to non-organic products. Organic food can cost nearly 50 percent more,

WHICH DOWN PAYMENT STRATEGY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it

FIVE MONEY-SAVING GREEN UPGRADESGoing green is great for the environment, but that’s not the only benefit. When you make green upgrades in your home, it can also lead to some major savings

PRIORITY TASKS FOR YOUR MOVE INMoving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun,

A Calendar for Shoppers: May’s Best BuysYou can thank Mom for many of the home best buys that can be scored in May with Mother’s Day sales driving many of this month’s discounts.

Spring Forward With Lush LandscapingSpringtime is peak season for listing your home for sale. A well-manicured lawn and colorful landscape provide a luring setting for buyers on the hunt so let;

When to Keep, When to Toss Those Important DocumentsEver wonder how long you should keep important documents such as old tax returns, mortgage documents and home appliance receipts? Here’s a

Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit: What is the Difference?The equity in your home is an untapped resource for financing such things as remodeling projects or a child’s college education. Is

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement?The Baby Boom generation is carrying more mortgage debt into retirement than any generation before it, bucking conventional wisdom that you shouldn

Financial Tips For Buying A Fixer-UpperIf your dream home is a fixer-upper, but cash is tight, a program offered by the Federal Housing Administration could make ownership a reality.Known as FHA

Foundation Problems: When to WorryIt’s the house repair every homeowner fears: foundation problems. Before you panic, here’s how to tell whether those scary looking cracks are “no

Is Moving a House Worth the Cost?Under certain conditions you might consider having a house picked up from its foundation and moved to another location. When would this come into play and is it

Historical Homes: Buying a Piece of HistoryWhile ownership of historic homes can be appealing, it’s definitely not for everyone. Historic homes have their own set of challenges and

Curb Appeal Blossoms With Springtime FlowersSpring is the perfect time to use container gardening to impress prospective buyers touring your home. Potted plants instantly add color and interest with

Hiring an ElectricianYou’ve decided to sell your home, which means it’s time to fix that dead outlet in the guest bedroom. Or perhaps you’ve been setting aside the cash to install

Curb Appeal—Backyard ImprovementsWhen preparing your home for sale, drive-up appeal is crucial, but don’t overlook the importance of your backyard space, where potential buyers should be

Hiring a PlumberYou’ve decided to sell your home, which means it’s time to fix that slow drip in the upstairs hall bathroom. Or perhaps you’ve been setting aside the cash to do a

Finding Value and Charm In an Existing HomeNew is nice, but in the case of a home purchase, buyers may be tempted by what an existing house has to offer. Take a look at the pros and cons of

Too Many Books, Too Little SpaceWhether you’re moving or just looking for a more streamlined look, your bookshelves are an obvious place to consider paring down.Books are heavy and take up a

Is it Time to Downsize?In pursuit of the perfect home, our wants and needs change as our lives, families and priorities change. A house that might have once been your dream can wind up feeling too

How to Attract Millennials, the Next Generation of HomebuyersMembers of the millennial generation represent a growing segment of homebuyers. They have been slower to buy homes than previous