FrontDoor Unlocked - HGTV's FrontDoor Real Estate Blog » Tips & Advice http://blog.frontdoor.com News and thoughts from behind the FrontDoor Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:06:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Welcome our new sister site HGTVRemodels.com! http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2011/09/16/welcome-our-new-sister-site-hgtvremodels-com/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2011/09/16/welcome-our-new-sister-site-hgtvremodels-com/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:13:01 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=2337 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Welcome our new sister site HGTVRemodels.com!", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2011/09/16/welcome-our-new-sister-site-hgtvremodels-com/" }); ]]>

Get tips and advice for remodeling your kitchen -- and every space in and out of your home -- at HGTVRemodels.com.

Ever wanted to remodel your kitchen but felt overwhelmed by the idea of starting the project?

A lot of people do.

That’s where HGTVRemodels.com comes in. Your beloved HGTV has created a new website that helps you make your design dreams a reality, bridging vision and execution.

No more fear about where to start. No more confusion as to what to buy. No more anxiety about creating a budget.

Kitchen. Bathroom. Front yard. Even that new guest room addition you desperately need. HGTVRemodels offers tips to renovate any space, create any project.

As one of the many people who worked on this wonderful new site (ok, I’m a bit biased), I have to say there’s no other site with resources and guides like this out there.

I’m especially inspired by the planning guides. The Kitchen Planning Guide makes me want to create an awesome entertaining kitchen where my family and friends can enjoy my husband’s amazing cooking.

Hmm, but my tiny Manhattan apartment isn’t really conducive to entertaining. If only I had a house.

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2011/09/16/welcome-our-new-sister-site-hgtvremodels-com/feed/ 1 Celebrate fall with homebuying and selling tips from FrontDoor http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/09/10/celebrate-fall-with-buying-and-selling-tips-from-hgtvs-frontdoor/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/09/10/celebrate-fall-with-buying-and-selling-tips-from-hgtvs-frontdoor/#comments Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:51:03 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=2176 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Celebrate fall with homebuying and selling tips from FrontDoor", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/09/10/celebrate-fall-with-buying-and-selling-tips-from-hgtvs-frontdoor/" }); ]]> home-staging-tips-fall

Fall selling tip: Don't let fallen leaves ruin your home's curb appeal.

Fall is here!

While spring has traditionally been the busiest season for real estate, don’t underestimate the power of fall.

Homebuyers can find great deals, while sellers can stage their homes for the season.

Whether you’re hunting for a bargain or trying to close a deal before the holidays, get everything you need to know to get your home ready for fall at www.frontdoor.com/fall.

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/09/10/celebrate-fall-with-buying-and-selling-tips-from-hgtvs-frontdoor/feed/ 4 Make everyday Earth Day with these green ideas for your home http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/04/22/make-everyday-earth-day-with-these-green-ideas-for-your-home/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/04/22/make-everyday-earth-day-with-these-green-ideas-for-your-home/#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:29:53 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=2056 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Make everyday Earth Day with these green ideas for your home", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/04/22/make-everyday-earth-day-with-these-green-ideas-for-your-home/" }); ]]> hgtv-green-home-cape-cod-cottageHappy Earth Day!

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the official start of the environmental movement, your friends at FrontDoor want to offer these valuable tips for living green:

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/04/22/make-everyday-earth-day-with-these-green-ideas-for-your-home/feed/ 0 New Year’s Real Estate Resolutions to Live By in 2010 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/12/new-years-real-estate-resolutions-to-live-by-in-2010/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/12/new-years-real-estate-resolutions-to-live-by-in-2010/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:55:59 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1965 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "New Year’s Real Estate Resolutions to Live By in 2010", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/12/new-years-real-estate-resolutions-to-live-by-in-2010/" }); ]]> house-searchWith 2010 well underway, how are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? (My efforts for daily gym workouts have been less than successful, but I digress.)

If you’re looking for real estate-themed resolutions, may we suggest adding a few more things to your list of to-do’s?

1. Take advantage of a buyer’s market. Home values are still falling in many markets and many areas are still ripe with great deals. Browse homes for sale.

2. Let Uncle Sam help you buy a new home. See if you qualify for the homebuyer tax credit.

3. Aspire to live better, but within your means. One can always dream. Check out our Luxury Living Guide and try our “Can I Afford It?” calculator.

4. Get your finances in shape. If you can’t afford to buy a home now, commit to a homeownership strategy. Take steps to boost your credit score and save for a down payment.

5. Find adventure in the Southwest. Find out what life is like in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and enter to win HGTV’s Dream Home.

Happy New Year!

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/12/new-years-real-estate-resolutions-to-live-by-in-2010/feed/ 1 Have a side of real estate with your turkey with these holiday tips http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:47:23 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1911 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Have a side of real estate with your turkey with these holiday tips", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/" }); ]]> thanksgiving-decor-homeThanksgiving is around the corner, meaning less focus on buying and selling a home, and more focus on preparing your current home for the holidays, shopping for presents and getting together with family.

If you’re like me, you’ll probably check out the movie “New Moon” to see what all the hype is about (if you haven’t seen it already). FrontDoor got into the vampire spirit with a slideshow showcasing the Cullen House from the popular “Twilight” movies, which is listed for under $3.3 million.

But if you’re among those hard-core homebuyers or sellers who won’t (or can’t) stop just because turkey’s on the table, here are some holiday tips from your friends at HGTV’s FrontDoor.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/feed/ 0 HGTV FrontDoor’s Tips for Buying and Selling a Haunted House http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:38:00 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1833 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "HGTV FrontDoor’s Tips for Buying and Selling a Haunted House", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/" }); ]]> real estate tips how to sell a haunted houseIt’s hard enough to sell a house in this market, but try selling a haunted house! It’s a challenge but not impossible. HGTV’s FrontDoor offers tips and advice to get the job done.

How to Sell a Haunted House

If you’re a buyer looking for the ultimate bargain, a haunted house or other stigmatized property may be right for you — if you can deal with the home’s gruesome past or unexplainable issues.

Reasons to Buy a Haunted House

6 Spooky Homes for Sale

If the idea of living in a haunted house scares you, there are plenty of haunted houses to visit. Whether it’s the creepy abandoned Victorian at the end of your block or the fancy haunted house attraction you pay to enter,  be safe and have a happy Halloween!

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/feed/ 0 Real Estate Tips for Halloween: Know These Foreclosure Tricks and Treats http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/real-estate-tips-for-halloween-know-these-foreclosure-tricks-and-treats/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/real-estate-tips-for-halloween-know-these-foreclosure-tricks-and-treats/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:52:25 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1818 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Real Estate Tips for Halloween: Know These Foreclosure Tricks and Treats", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/real-estate-tips-for-halloween-know-these-foreclosure-tricks-and-treats/" }); ]]> foreclosure trick or treat halloween tipsFor those of you who’ll be house hunting as well as trick-or-treating this Halloween weekend, your friends at FrontDoor.com have come up with some tips for foreclosure buyers. We call them:

Foreclosure Tricks and Treats
www.frontdoor.com/buy/HGTV-FrontDoors-Foreclosure-Tricks-and-Treats/55310

And check out these other Halloween-themed homebuying and selling tips on FrontDoor.com:

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/real-estate-tips-for-halloween-know-these-foreclosure-tricks-and-treats/feed/ 0 Take charge of your home search with HGTV FrontDoor’s OpenHouse.com! http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/16/take-charge-of-your-home-search-with-hgtv-frontdoors-openhouse-com/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/16/take-charge-of-your-home-search-with-hgtv-frontdoors-openhouse-com/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:09:10 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1789 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Take charge of your home search with HGTV FrontDoor’s OpenHouse.com!", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/16/take-charge-of-your-home-search-with-hgtv-frontdoors-openhouse-com/" }); ]]> hgtv frontdoor open houseHGTV’s FrontDoor.com is proud to welcome real estate open house listing site OpenHouse.com to the HGTV family!

On OpenHouse.com, you can find open house schedules and addresses and view hundreds of thousands of virtual home tours to enhance your house hunting experience.

Combine that with FrontDoor’s 4 million real estate listings and expert articles and videos and you’ve got all you need to take charge of your home search.

OpenHouse.com also offers homebuyers and sellers great insider tips and advice, including:

Read the news release here. And be sure to watch HGTV’s Open House Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET for more news!

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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/16/take-charge-of-your-home-search-with-hgtv-frontdoors-openhouse-com/feed/ 0 Don’t let the housing market scare you! Avoid the Top 10 Real Estate Nightmares http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:41:30 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1755 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Don’t let the housing market scare you! Avoid the Top 10 Real Estate Nightmares", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/" }); ]]> top-10-real-estate-nightmaresThe housing market can be very scary. Just ask any homebuyer or seller — a seemingly normal situation can easily turn into a nightmare.

In this month’s Top 10, read 10 hair-raising real estate horror stories, from showings gone awry to frightening HOAs to houses plagued with unwelcome guests and ghastly pasts.

Plus, get tips on how to avoid these nightmares and ensure your homebuying or selling experience is drama free.

Happy Halloween!

HGTV FrontDoor’s
Top 10 Real Estate Nightmares:
www.frontdoor.com/Buy/Top-10-Real-Estate-Nightmares/55296/p10


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]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/feed/ 0 Frustrated with your real estate agent? Try these 10 strategies to find the right one for you http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/08/06/frustrated-with-your-real-estate-agent-try-these-10-strategies-to-find-the-right-one-for-you/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/08/06/frustrated-with-your-real-estate-agent-try-these-10-strategies-to-find-the-right-one-for-you/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:33:49 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1477 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Frustrated with your real estate agent? Try these 10 strategies to find the right one for you", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/08/06/frustrated-with-your-real-estate-agent-try-these-10-strategies-to-find-the-right-one-for-you/" }); ]]> I hear so many real estate agent horror stories from homebuyers and sellers (and have experienced my own nightmare situations) that you’d think “agent bashing” is some sort of national pastime.

While there are some bad apples out there (as there are in any profession), that shouldn’t reflect poorly on the industry as a whole. In fact, I know many people who rave about their real estate agents and consider them part of the family.

top-10-ways-to-choose-a-real-estate-agent

Finding an agent is easy. In any given area, hundreds of professionals are vying for your business. Finding the right agent for you is the hard part.

You’re trusting someone to help through one of the biggest purchases in your life, so it’s important to do your research.

Check out FrontDoor’s Top 10 Strategies for Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent.

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