Buying a home comes with a lot of planning, paperwork and budgeting. You likely spent more of the homebuying process looking at things on paper rather than dreaming about life in a new house. Once you are in your new home, the last thing you might want to do is think about your budget again—but the expenses don’t stop once you have the keys in your hand. After the paperwork is signed, it is a good idea to take a look at your budget with fresh eyes. Read on →

Are you team spring-cleaning or does the very idea send chills of dread through your body? Either way, clearing out the seasonal dust and making room in the home and in life is something we all need to do. If you are in the midst of a move, spring-cleaning can take on a whole new meaning. Depending on what camp you are in, you may feel completely overwhelmed by how in-depth your cleaning needs to be—or moving out of your home could feel like an invitation to skip it altogether. Read on →

Have you ever sat with your loved ones and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go out and buy something huge? Maybe it was a new family pet or a piece of furniture. Whatever it was, you didn’t overthink it—you just went and got it. We love the thrill of instant gratification. Even if you are a planner by nature, you have to admit that adding something shiny and new to your life on a whim can feel pretty good. Read on →

Whether you have done it once or you are about to purchase your fifth, buying a home can be a long and difficult process. It can also be a process that is full of joy and hope, especially when you learn as much as you can about everything involved with finding your dream home. Possibly one of the most intimidating parts of buying a home is financing it. While there are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to purchasing a house, how much to spend and how long to stretch that cost out is certainly one of the biggest ones. Read on →

When you are planning a move, there is a good chance you have a pretty long to-do list. Moving can be stressful, and it can mean you are staying busy even long after you are in your new home. It’s important in the midst of your busyness to ensure you are getting the right things done. Breaking your to-do lists down and creating a timeline for things to get done in is a great way to keep yourself organized and ready to settle into life in your new home faster. Read on →

You did it! You made it through the process of finding and purchasing a new home, packing up your old one and moving in! Now the fun begins, right? The process of getting into a new home can be a stressful time, but when you wake up in a new-to-you place surrounded by boxes and you can’t find the coffee pot—it may leave you wondering if it was all worth it. Read on →

Did you make resolutions for the new year? Even if this is a practice you don’t partake in at all, the start of a new year is the perfect time to dream about what we want to do and where we want to be as the calendar starts again. Buying a new home is a great goal to set for yourself in the coming year, and unlike some other common resolutions we make, getting into the house of your dreams is attainable. Read on →

Deciding to buy your first home and settle down is a big decision. There is so much to consider—from how much you can afford to how you will decorate. With so much to think about, it can feel pretty overwhelming fast. A quick online search can give more iffy advice than you could ever make it through. You may also have a wonderful network of people around you offering tips. Read on →

It’s your first winter in your new home—the first chance to experience snuggling up under blankets, playing in the snow and cooking all the soups your family can handle in your new kitchen. The first time you experience winter in a new home also means getting to know exactly how to keep it warm without breaking the bank. Every home is different, and there will be some trial and error as you figure out what works best in your new space. Read on →

Moving is a challenging time—but it’s a move during the holiday season, things can get pretty overwhelming quickly. You want to get your home settled and your belongings put away, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on enjoying the decorations of the holidays! The good news is that with a little creative scheduling and some help from family and friends, you can make your new home feel festive and cozy. Read on →