JJ & Ainsley Gordon, The Gordon Group

It's all in the details....

I f this the first time you're considering buying a home, or selling your first purchase, there are a lot of possible challenges you can end up facing. Having the right agent can ensure you're able to get through these challenges, but since some of the issues are universal, let's review some mistakes you want to avoid making. 1. THE RIGHT PRICE Pricing a property is a science of it's own. There are a lot of components and factors, so many small details, that ultimately lead to the value of a home. Although there are a lot of sites with estimates, namely Zillow, the technology uses on online sites to determine property values are simply not accurate. Zillow even states that their numbers can be inaccurate up to a whopping 20%. Without a background as a real estate professional, it's virtually impossible for a consumer to be able to know the proper components needed to price a home. When you're purchas...

With a new season upon us, you might be wanting to spruce up your bedroom to add a little charm and "newness" to your space.   Therefore, here are some easy ways you can add some charm and beauty to your sleeping quarters.   1. BEDROOM FURNITURE Your bedroom furniture is what makes the biggest impression on you, first thing in the morning, and at the end of each day. You'll want to add pieces to your bedroom that you'll love, unique pieces that add character and charm to your personal space. Canopy Beds A modern style canopy bed can add a lot of simple beauty into your bedroom. Use a four-poster frame that is clean and matches your current finishes. A simple design allows you to dress up the bed as you please. Keep it clean for a masculine touch, or add a soft look by hanging gauzy panels.  Daybed Have an empty corner in your bedroom? You can consider adding a traditional style daybed and bring it to life with an elegant French countryside fl...

With the tax season upon us, as homeowners we are reminded of all the taxes we pay on our properties. But what exactly are property taxes? Are there any tax breaks for homeowners? Below you will find useful tax information that may help you should you own a property or plan on buying one this year. PROPERTY TAX Property tax (also called millage tax) is specifically a levy on the value of a property. Property tax can be levied by a number of governing authorities: the national government, a state, county, geographical region or municipality. In the United States, it's very likely that your property will be taxed by a number of jurisdictions, most likely by your local governments (city or town, and the county you live in - but this is specific to each state). With multiple jurisdictions taxing a property, property tax is generally referred to as property taxes because of the combination of taxes. Property taxes are calculated based on an appraisal of the monetary value of a...

Ready to sell your house? Staging rooms to show off their true potential is essential when selling your home. Here are a few staging tips to get your home prepared for the market.  1. SAY BYE TO CLUTTER The best thing you can do for your home for sale is to get rid of all of your clutter! Make a rule for your home that for every new piece that comes in, one must go. One of the biggest factors to a cluttered home is too much furniture. Generally, in a professional staging, half the home owner's furniture is removed to make the house look much bigger. Look around your house and see what you can pack away. It'll be worth the investment to get a storage unit for a couple of months to store away a lot of your furnishings and goods. 2. FURNITURE GROUPINGS It's largely misconceived that furniture pushed directly up against walls make a room look bigger, but this is far from true. Instead, you'll want to float your furniture in reach room and away from the walls....

H ome ownership rates are the lowest they have been in the last 50 years. Yet a large portion of Americans are still renting properties, instead of enjoying a home of their own. Consumer reports believe this is an issue because of a buyer's lack of trust in their ability to purchase. It is still a long standing notion that a buyer needs 20% towards the cost of the home in order to move forward, but this isn't true. With countless down payment assistant programs, and closing cost roll-ins, a home owner could move in with as little as a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. Which is a huge difference in the time it takes to save up to make the move.  With interest rates at an all time low, home ownership in today's market is a great investment. The money saved over a mortgage's lifespan can result in tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds. That's more money in your pocket today. Don't wait to buy when interest rates soar again. With low i...

If you take the time to dig into the philosophy around Feng Shui, you'll understand that it doesn't come off as esoteric as one may think.  It's based around the simple practices to make a home feel healthier and a lot more organized.  It can also help you connect to your home in a way that can affect your mood and well being.  Feng Shui is as common as "spring cleaning," or decorating to make a home feel much more comfortable. The ancient Chinese tradition can be incorporated into your own home.  It can be done in a modern holistic approach, while still honoring the age-old traditions that come with Feng Shui.  It's not about transforming the structure of your home, but instead making it evolve into a space that refreshes your home - and in turn, your health.  The following Feng Shui tips will do a little more than just bring some harmony into your home, they can potentially increase the value of your home's selling price. Let...