Positive Real Estate Professionals

With most of the continental United States, Canada, and much of the northern hemisphere in the throws of winter many homeowners naturally turn to ways to lessen their household expenses. Frank Schulte-Ladbeck has written an excellent article on how to monitor and potentially reduce your household expenses. Frank’s expertise as a home inspector has given him insight on how to make cost effective changes to improve your home’s energy efficiency. His role as husband, father, and conscientious consumer have given him the vision necessary to devise longterm plans that have a positive impact on his family and the planet. Though the article is a bit long, I hope you find it both informative and helpful in devising your own longterm energy consumption and overall budgeting plan. Read More

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article entitled Budget First, Then Shop. In that article I outlined why I believe it is critical to do just what the title says, budget first then shop. It is very important to know what you can comfortably afford. In this post, I want to provide you with a very easy to use worksheet. The worksheet is designed to help you break down your current real expenses. By writing down your actual expenses, you can determine where you feel comfortable. Please note that this worksheet does not take into account things I covered in my previous post like repairs and maintenance. A home is a great responsibility and this is a simple tool to help you get more enjoyment from your home. Read More

Prospective home buyers who are currently renting should factor in extra expenses that in many cases are currently covered by their monthly rent. This may seem like a simple statement but it is very important. From simple yard maintenance to replacing a major appliance the cost of your new home is not simply the amount of your monthly mortgage payment Read More