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If you’ve recently purchased a home or are looking into becoming a homeowner, the subject of home warranties has probably come up in your research. But what’s the point of them? Do you really need one? Let us help you decide with our answers to these frequently asked home warranty questions. 

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is a service contract in which a company agrees to pay for fixing or replacing home systems and appliances.

What does a home warranty cover?

Depending on which plan you choose, you can have either a little or a lot of coverage on your home appliances and systems. Basic plans typically include coverage for kitchen appliances, water heaters, plumbing, electrical, heating systems, etc. There are additional options…

First impressions mean a lot when it comes to a home. Whether you’re looking to sell or just want to make your home appear more inviting to guests, check out these small changes that can make a big difference…without breaking the bank!

1. Be bold with door color

Don’t be afraid to express yourself with a unique door color. A pop of yellow, teal or robin’s egg blue can be just the small touch your home needs to stand out. If these colors go a bit too far out of your comfort zone, try a classic glossy red or a deep navy. 

2. Replace door hardware

If you’re already repainting, why not go for the gold. Doorknobs get scratched by keys and worn by weather, and that can take away from the overall appearance of your entry. It’s a small change, but…

House hunting is about more than finding the right home at the right price. You can find the perfect house … but if it’s not in the right area of town to match yours and your family’s lifestyle and needs, you won’t be happy there in the long run. 

Here are our tips for narrowing down neighborhoods:

1. Think Ahead

How far are you willing to commute? If you don’t have children now, do you plan on having them in the future? How important is it to you to be able to walk places? How long do you plan on being in this home? If you’d like to be in your future home for an extended period of time, it’s important that you consider what you want your life to look like a few years down the road. A longer commute may seem ok now, but will you feel the same…

Children thrive on routine. Most parents will tell you that even small changes can be a major hiccup for a little one’s schedule. With this in mind, the prospect of moving—whether its just to a new home or a new city entirely—can be really daunting. Here are a few tips to make this process easier:

1. Discuss the move with the kids

The most important part in making kids comfortable with the idea of moving is by talking about it. Call a family meeting and give them as much information about the move as soon as possible. Explain to the kids the reasoning behind it and how excited you are about the changes. Although the response from them may be negative, be receptive to their feelings and try to explain to them the positive aspects of the move.…

Great staging is so important to the home selling process. If you want to sell your home quick, a little bit of effort can go a long way. Check out our top 5 tips for staging your home:

1. Banish the Clutter

One of the most important parts of home staging is decluttering and organizing. Having too many items filling a room makes your space look small and chaotic. One creative way to declutter is to try your hand at the 12-12-12 Challenge. Every day up until the home is officially on the market, make it your mission to locate 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate and 12 items to be returned to their proper home. By completing this challenge, you’ve quickly organized 36 things in your home without it feeling as much like drudgery. Try to…

Most home buyers don’t realize that one of the best tools for staying organized while finding the perfect home is right in their back pocket—their smartphone. Here are five of our favorite apps for the home search process and beyond: 

AroundMe

Platform: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

You found a house that has good potential…but is it within walking distance to places you need? The AroundMe app quickly identifies where you are to show you a complete list of nearby businesses and attractions, including the distance from your current location. Search for the nearest grocery store, restaurant bank/ATM, bar, coffee shop, gas station, hospital, hotel, movie theater, restaurant, etc. and view every listing on a map.

Keller-Williams Realty Home Search…