Blog Entries in July
The Rise of Birdwatching
By Chris Petry Unless you suffer from an unfortunate case of Ornithophobia, or the fear of birds, you likely don’t mind the sight of your state’s native birds, fluttering about your property. Sure, no one likes power washing the deck after the geese return from the Great North but birds, with their varied plumage and graceful whirling and twirling have an intriguing, if curious, all
Are Small Homes Still Trending?
By Chris Petry Even before Covid, and the resulting economic crisis, micro homes were everywhere. Whether that’s attributable to growing economic concerns like inflation and the cost of housing, a greater awareness of humanity’s carbon footprint, or the wholesale embrace of architectural minimalism, miniscule homes have received a lot of coverage in recent years. Accord
Investment Homes: Should I Buy One?
By Chris Petry Let’s get the big question out of the way first: just what is an investment property? Simply put, investment properties are properties purchased or otherwise acquired with the sole intention of generating income. That could mean they intend to flip it, rent it out, or repurpose it for business purposes. Despite the fact that, here we go again, interest rates are a little hi
Should I Buy a New Home or Renovate My Current Home?
It seems we’re always discussing the benefits of buying versus renting and vice versa. Yet, we rarely discuss the conundrum that faces millions of homeowners every day: should you renovate your existing home to suit your needs or find a new one where the needs will already be met? There’s certainly a lot to consider. Are market conditions optimal for a move? The answer to
Barbenheimer: Why Do Things Go Viral?
by Chris Petry I admit it. I fell prey to the Barbenheimer hype train. If you’re not active on one of the major social platforms (TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) or pop culture/film industry news sites (Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Screen Rant, Collider, etc.), you may be wondering what I’m talking about right now. This week saw the simultaneous releases of
Where Should You Live?
by Chris Petry If you asked anyone in the 18-30 age range where they’d choose to live pre-2020, most would probably have chosen a large or medium sized city. It’s easy to see why. The convenience of city living cannot be understated. Try growing up in rural Appalachia where fast-food cheeseburgers and movie theaters can be 45 minutes to an hour in any direction. Cities are more
The Northern Lights
by Chris Petry Earlier this week as I was reviewing a list of potential topics for the day’s blog entry, my exuberant colleague bounced into the doorway of my office with an idea of her own. “Do you already have a topic lined up for this week? How about the Northern Lights? It’s trending right now.” Truth is, I was torn between discussing the benefits of sunblock and the
Exchanging Quality for Convenience
by Chris Petry About half an hour into quirky auteur Wes Anderson’s new comedy Asteroid City, there’s a throwaway gag with Steve Carell’s motel manager and a nomadic cowboy involving a row of oddly-specific vending machines. There are independent machines for milk, coffee, beer, fruit, stockings, ammunition, and the piece de resistance: upscale cocktails that would have
Questions To Ask Yourself Before Considering An Addition On Your Home
Summer may be the time for switching it up when it comes to your home, but that doesn’t have to mean buying a new home and starting all over. In fact, if you’re a long-time homeowner whose home just isn’t measuring up to all your needs and wants anymore, you could consider adding on to the home you love instead of abandoning it altogether. Has the home renovation bug bit you t
How To Buy A Home When You Have Student Loan Debt
Many people who want to buy a home put it off until they can completely pay off their student loan debt. And while that is a responsible choice, it is not a necessity. As long as you do a thorough examination of your current debt, financial priorities, and maximize the following aspects of your finances, you can qualify for a home loan. Improve Your Credit Score T
