alaris key update

Garage, More Than Just Home for Cars

Today's garage has evolved almost as much as homes themselves.  Four decades ago, garages were small enough to fit merely the family car.  Now we expect our garage to house not only our SUVs, but also our gardening centers, tools, festive holiday garb, and sports...

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Paper or Plastic

At the grocery store when the bagger asks "paper or plastic" what is your response? In the past, mine has always been plastic, it saves trees. Right? Wrong! Recently, I learned that plastic bags are polluting our environment and contributing to our dependence on...

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Benefits of Owning Your Own Home

While the housing market has certainly kept us on our toes over the past few years, I believe it is important to remind ourselves that owning a home does have its benefits. The return on your investment, income tax savings and stable housing costs can certainly...

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Virtual Staging

For simplicity's sake, I like to split listed properties into two categories: inhabited and uninhabited.  Both need some degree of staging to enhance their potential.  For inhabited properties, staging usually means sending items to storage, touchups, and a constant...

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IRS to give Tax Lien holders a Break!

Up until now a tax lien, paid or unpaid could haunt your credit report for a long time. Depending on what state you live in, a paid tax lien could stay on your report for 7-10 years and an unpaid lien could stay on indefinitely.  The IRS announced in February they're...

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Deck Safety

Wooden decks serve dual purposes.  They function as an extension of your home allowing for comfortable outdoor living, while beautifully complementing a home's character.  Decks are inviting and welcoming, but do need attention to maintain their health.  To preserve...

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