Posts

Showing posts from June, 2015

7 Summer Lawn Care Tips

Image
As we wave goodbye to June, it's safe to say that summer is officially well underway. This is the season for barbecuing, swimming, and taking care of those summer landscaping projects that you put off all spring! If you're planning to tackle your front or back yard this summer, the team at Devine & Associates Real Estate is here to help with these summer landscaping tips. 1. Keep Your Lawn Hydrated The summer heat can be tough on your grass, trees, bushes, plants, and flowers. Keep everything looking fresh and beautiful by watering your plants and your yard every one to two days. Water them in the mornings for best results! 2. Mow Your Grass Frequently One of the simplest, easiest ways to keep lawn looking well-maintained is mow your grass frequently, as tall grass looks derelict and unkempt. You can make your lawn look great by keeping your grass at around three to four inches high.  3. Plant Perennials Continually planting flowers every single year can get a b

Tips For An Easy Move To Your New Home

Image
When thinking about buying a new house in central Missouri , most people think about the process of shopping for homes, getting approved for a mortgage loan, and negotiating the actual sale of the home. At closing, your new home will officially become yours - but the process is far from over! After purchasing your new home, it's time to move all of your belongings and get settled in. Moving can be a major undertaking, though, so it's important to approach it strategically! Here are a few tips to make moving to your new home much easier from the team at Devine & Associates Real Estate . 1.  Give Yourself Plenty Of Time Even if this is not your first move, you may very well be amazed how much time it takes you to get everything packed. There's no point in stressing yourself out by doing everything at the last minute! Begin packing the items you use infrequently at least a month before you plan to move. 2.  Pack Strategically This may seem like a no-brainer, but

Agent Spotlight - Meet Susan Hamilton!

Image
Susan Hamilton At Devine & Associates Real Estate , our goal is simple: we aim to treat each of our clients with an enjoyable, stress-free, and rewarding real estate experience. We are proud to have a dedicated and (most importantly) fun team of real estate agents who are committed to helping people buy and sell real estate in central Missouri . In one of our earlier blogs, we gave you the opportunity to get to know Vicki Devine , owner and broker of Devine & Associates. This week, we'd like like to introduce you to one of our valued team members, Ms. Susan Hamilton! Getting To Know Susan Hamilton What Is Your Role At Devine & Associates? I am the Office Manager, but I am also a licensed Realtor. I am involved in most of the advertising and have my hands in most everything! I try to support all our agents in whatever is needed. How Did You Get Involved In Real Estate At The Lake Of The Ozarks? I started out working in the real estate market when I first m

5 Steps To Take When You're Ready To Sell Your Home

Image
Congrats - you've finally decided to sell your home and now you're ready to take the plunge. Although making that decision may have felt like a major undertaking all on its own, you're just getting started. If you're planning to sell your home at the Lake of the Ozarks , it's time to take the following steps. 1. Get Organized This is the first and one of the most important steps to take when you're trying to sell your home. Messy, cluttered, or disorganized rooms look smaller, which makes them unappealing to most buyers. Getting rid of everything you don't need anymore will help makes your room seem bigger - and make the moving process easier when the time comes! 2. Clean Everything (And Then Clean Again) It's not a secret - no one wants to buy a dirty home. As soon as you get everything organized and decluttered (or maybe even while you're taking care of the initial organization) it's critical that you go through your house and scrub ev

How Much Home Can I Afford?

Image
As any experienced buyer or real estate agent will tell you, buying a home is a multifaceted process. You're choosing somewhere to live, but you're also making what will probably be your biggest purchase in your entire life. Because there are so many financial considerations, it's important to approach the process carefully and systematically. You want to be sure that you don't miss anything! A Few General Observations Before we delve into the specifics of home financing, here are a few general observations. You should only buy a house if you plan on living there for at least five years. If you live somewhere for less than five years, renting may be a cheaper option. If you live somewhere for five years or more, though, buying is often more cost-effective. Bigger down payments mean a smaller loan amount and (consequently) smaller monthly payments. Your mortgage payment will only be a fraction of your monthly expenses. As the owner, you will also be requ