Real Estate Infographic Timeline
Infographics say so much in so few words. Below is an infographic on the history of real estate; from Alexander the Great’s time period (BC) to present day. There might be a subconscious tendency to believe we deserve land (or a home) based on previous conqueror’s actions:
Read MoreHow Much House Can You Afford?
With interest rates at an all time low and housing prices stagnating, now is a great time to buy for the right person. Using an emortgage calculator to figure out how much house you can afford is a great start. But first you need to determine if you have what it takes to own a home. As someone who is on a mission to own a house within the next few years, I’ve done some research and realize if a person has their financial house in order (oh the pun, the pun) they’re off to a great...
Read MoreBudgeting for Home Improvements
One of my annual budget busters is home improvements. In my book, a home improvement can be anything from a new throw blanket to replacing flooring. Thankfully, I no longer have to repair my own floors since I’ve moved back into an apartment (a definite plus), but I still enjoy making small improvements to my living space. One recent improvement was replacing our 12 year old dishes. Over time our set has become fragmented (quite literally with pieces breaking over the years and having to...
Read MoreNeed More Room; Raise the Roof
Finding a home in the perfect location at the right price can be difficult. It seems that most urban areas offer very small homes or homes that are extremely expensive. Picture this; you find a terrific urban neighborhood that offers walking or biking to local shops and restaurants and the school district is distinguished, unfortunately the only house you can afford is under 1,000 square feet and you know that size just won’t accommodate your family’s needs. An alternative to a...
Read MoreI Know I Should Buy But I’m Not
A couple of years ago, when property values plummeted, I was inspired to finally begin the journey towards purchasing a home. I live in an area of very high property values compared to the rest of the nation, hence why I waited so long. I knew I had to do three things: improve my credit, pay down my debt, and save for a down payment. I’ve completed two of these three things with the last one being a bit more challenging for me. However, I know I should buy a home in the near future before...
Read MoreShelterKraft Werks Container Homes
My obsession for residential home designs continues. This is an interview with Kai, the owner of ShelterKraft Werks, a company that builds homes out of shipping containers. Could you tell me a little about what motivated you to build container homes? Well, I’ve always loved the challenge of building small spaces - everything from secret forts when I was a kid to a neo-classic dog house. The idea of using containers first occurred to me when I was working at Starbucks as a store...
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