Bill and Aby Brooks, REALTORS®'s Blog

Posted on 04/10/2022

The financial aspects of buying a home don't end with the purchase. Home ownership comes with its own ongoing fees and future expenses you'll need to prepare for. The best way to do so is to establish a balanced household budget. Here are some tips for how to get started: Set Your Goals Once you have a clear...

Budget

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Posted on 04/03/2022

Fair Market Value: What It Is & How to Find It

Fair market value is an important real estate metric for investors, buyers and sellers. It can help you determine the best possible asking price for a home sale or whether a home you want to buy is a good deal. However, unlike many other pieces of the real estate puzzle, fair market value can be complicated to find....

Appraisal

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Posted on 03/27/2022

Advantages of Offering a Large Down Payment

When buying a home, the down payment will make up the bulk of your upfront expenses. While most mortgage lenders offer you flexibility in the amount of your down payment, it's difficult to decide how much money to spend right away. While a higher upfront cost, a higher-than-minimum down payment has some significant advantages. Here are the main...

Advantages

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Posted on 03/20/2022

What You Should Know About Storage During Your Move

Moving to a new home is a complex and sometimes stressful logistical process. There are many details to consider and just as many ways to streamline and simplify the experience. One of the best ways to make your move easier is by using short-term storage. If you’ve never used temporary storage before or if you’re thinking about using...

Moving

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Posted on 03/13/2022

Hardiness Zones: What You Need to Know for Your Garden

When choosing plants to grow in your garden, it’s crucial to know what will survive in your particular climate. Luckily, the United States Department of Agriculture developed a special map of numbered “zones” to help farmers and gardeners make the best choices. While you might have seen the term, it’s important to understand what they mean and how...

Posted on 03/06/2022

Insulation: Spray Foam or Fiberglass, Which is More Cost-Effective?

While upgrading a building’s insulation may not feel as exciting as an expansive new kitchen, the potential energy savings add up. Here are a few things about fiberglass and spray foam insulation property owners may want to consider. What Homeowners Need To Know About Fiberglass Insulation The upfront investment of fiberglass insulation proves attractive to DIY homeowners because...

Posted on 02/27/2022

How to Make Concrete Visualizations When Building Your Dream Home

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay When you build a new home, you want to see the house as clearly as possible even before it’s finished. Visualizing your new home throughout the building process isn’t only exciting, but it also helps ensure everything is constructed to your liking. Here are four concrete ways to visualize your new home...

Homebuyer

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Posted on 02/20/2022

Try These Monogram Art DIY Projects to Decorate Your Home

Your home should reflect your personal style, and it should showcase that you are proud of who you are. One of the best ways to display the true you is with monogrammed DIY decor. This type of decor is a wonderful way to show that you are proud of yourself and the people who live with you, and...

Posted on 02/13/2022

Veteran Mortgage Relief Guide: Key Terms & Details

The U.S. government has multiple options available for military veterans who may be facing foreclosure. Through the Department of Veterans Affairs, borrowers can get financial relief through means such as forbearance, deferment, refinancing and more. However, there are some crucial details to be aware of. Here are some of the most important things to know about current veteran...

Mortgage

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Posted on 04/11/2022

Another Property Sold - 7319 36Th Avenue E, Bradenton, FL 34208

Bring your horses today to this Pool home with plenty of room to grow on over 4 Acres located in the heart of Bradenton! No HOA and No CDD fees! Do not miss this 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath masonry home with a metal roof and heated pool on acreage! This property is fenced, cross-fenced and includes 2 barns plus a 20x20 detached metal building/workshop with electric on a concrete slab. The barns are currently set up with 4 open stalls for horses plus a tack and feed room that could be reconfigured to suit your horse or livestock needs. Updates to the home include the well-appointed new chef’s kitchen with sparkling quartz countertops, soft-close JK...

Posted on 04/01/2022

14110 Sugar Bowl Road, Myakka City, FL 34251 is now new to the market!

Room to Roam on over 5 Acres! No HOA or CDD fee and plenty of room for everyone and everything. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths built by Jacobsen Homes. The thoughtful floor plan has a split master retreat allowing privacy and quiet enjoyment from guest quarters. Master Bedroom has a spacious walk-in closet, garden tub, dual vanities and shower. This home has both a living room and family room plus a dining room and would be a great set-up for multi-generational living or home office situation. The spacious open eat-in kitchen features a breakfast bar, center island and tons of cabinet space. Enjoy cool evenings by the wood-burning fireplace, stargaze...

Posted on 02/16/2022

7319 36Th Avenue E, Bradenton, FL 34208 is now new to the market!

Bring your horses today to this Pool home with plenty of room to grow on over 4 Acres located in the heart of Bradenton! No HOA and No CDD fees! Do not miss this 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath masonry home with a metal roof and heated pool on acreage! This property is fenced, cross-fenced and includes 2 barns plus a 20x20 detached metal building/workshop with electric on a concrete slab. The barns are currently set up with 4 open stalls for horses plus a tack and feed room that could be reconfigured to suit your horse or livestock needs. Updates to the home include the well-appointed new chef’s kitchen with sparkling quartz countertops, soft-close JK...