FrontDoor Unlocked - HGTV's FrontDoor Real Estate Blog http://blog.frontdoor.com News and thoughts from behind the FrontDoor Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:34:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Congrats to the New Orleans Saints! http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/02/08/congrats-to-the-new-orleans-saints/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/02/08/congrats-to-the-new-orleans-saints/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:33:14 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1993 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Congrats to the New Orleans Saints!", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/02/08/congrats-to-the-new-orleans-saints/" }); ]]> Has the New Orleans Saints’ amazing Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts got you thinking about buying a place down South?

victorian-house-for-sale-new-orleansNearly five years after Hurricane Katrina, the city has made great strides to rebuild its economy. Known for its colorful Mardi Gras celebration and vibrant culture and cuisine, the city offers an abundance of affordable housing.

If you’re even a little bit curious about the local market, check out homes for sale in New Orleans.

When I think of New Orleans, I think of homes like this one. It’s everything you’d expect from the South. Victorian architecture. Front porch. Large bay windows.

Get more details in the real estate listing here.

Who dat?!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/02/08/congrats-to-the-new-orleans-saints/feed/ 0 Support UNICEF’s work to help Haiti’s children http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/20/support-unicefs-work-to-help-haitis-children/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/20/support-unicefs-work-to-help-haitis-children/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:11:47 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1980 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Support UNICEF’s work to help Haiti’s children", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/20/support-unicefs-work-to-help-haitis-children/" }); ]]> haiti-unicefOur thoughts and prayers are with the many thousands affected by the disaster in Haiti.

We’ve heard moving stories and seen powerful images over the past week. We’ve seen miracles happen and are grateful for the heroes who have jumped in to help. Rescue workers are still finding survivors, from a three-week-old baby to an elderly woman.

Many victims are children who have been orphaned, lost or separated from their families. Our friends at UNICEF are working to help the most vulnerable of them.

Executive director Anne Veneman said, “Expert estimates suggest that 46 percent of Haiti’s nearly 10 million people are under 18 years of age. The special needs of children for food, shelter and protection, must be factored in at the very outset of relief efforts and UNICEF will do everything in its power to make sure these needs are met.”

If you would like to join us in supporting UNICEF’s work, please donate to Haiti.

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/20/support-unicefs-work-to-help-haitis-children/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!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/01/12/new-years-real-estate-resolutions-to-live-by-in-2010/feed/ 0 Southwestern living shines in HGTV’s new Dream Home http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/22/southwestern-living-shines-in-hgtvs-new-dream-home/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/22/southwestern-living-shines-in-hgtvs-new-dream-home/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:17:16 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1951 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Southwestern living shines in HGTV’s new Dream Home", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/22/southwestern-living-shines-in-hgtvs-new-dream-home/" }); ]]>

hgtv-dream-home-new-mexicoLonging for a luxurious lifestyle in the Southwest?

Then check out HGTV’s Dream Home!

This year,  it’s a 3,900-square-foot, Pueblo-style home in Sandia Park, New Mexico, a scenic master-planned community between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Starting Jan. 1, you can enter to win the $2 million grand-prize package, which includes the home, a 2010 GMC Terrain and $5,000 in cash.

If you live in the Southwest, let us know what it’s like. Post your comments here. Good luck!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/22/southwestern-living-shines-in-hgtvs-new-dream-home/feed/ 1 Selling your home during the holidays? Try these tips to heat things up http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:55:17 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1927 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Selling your home during the holidays? Try these tips to heat things up", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/" }); ]]> staging-tips-sell-house-fireplaceWith everyone in holiday mode, real estate may be the furthest thing from your mind. Unless you’re a seller who needs to move NOW.

If you’re in a bind this holiday season, HGTV’s FrontDoor.com wants to help ease your stress. Try these tips to bring cheer to what may seem like a chore:

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/feed/ 0 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!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/feed/ 0 HGTV’s Real Estate Intervention host Sabrina Soto to speak at NAR http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/hgtvs-real-estate-intervention-host-sabrina-soto-to-speak-at-nar/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/hgtvs-real-estate-intervention-host-sabrina-soto-to-speak-at-nar/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:48:38 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1904 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "HGTV’s Real Estate Intervention host Sabrina Soto to speak at NAR", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/hgtvs-real-estate-intervention-host-sabrina-soto-to-speak-at-nar/" }); ]]>

Click here to view the embedded video.

HGTV fans attending the NAR convention have to check out the “Test Out Your On-Camera Presence” session on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. or Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in Room 28A on the upper level of the San Diego Convention Center.

The host of HGTV’s Real Estate Intervention, Sabrina Soto, and Channing Dawson, one of the members of the founding executive team of HGTV, will show you:

* how to use video to enhance your brand and business
* the top 10 tips for boosting your on-camera appeal

Attendees will be part of a “studio audience” and a few lucky REALTORS® will be selected to work with Sabrina in an interactive home walk-through.

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/hgtvs-real-estate-intervention-host-sabrina-soto-to-speak-at-nar/feed/ 0 Are you the next real estate star? Stop by HGTV’s FrontDoor booth #1916 at NAR http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/are-you-the-next-real-estate-star-stop-by-hgtvs-frontdoor-booth-1916-at-nar/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/are-you-the-next-real-estate-star-stop-by-hgtvs-frontdoor-booth-1916-at-nar/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:38:06 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1894 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Are you the next real estate star? Stop by HGTV’s FrontDoor booth #1916 at NAR", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/are-you-the-next-real-estate-star-stop-by-hgtvs-frontdoor-booth-1916-at-nar/" }); ]]> HGTV’s FrontDoor.com is at the NAR conference in San Diego through Monday interviewing dozens of Realtors in search of a few good real estate experts. On Friday night, more than 50 people did a screen test for a chance to be on an HGTV show.

If you think you have what it takes to be a real estate expert on TV, get your two minutes of fame at HGTV’s FrontDoor booth #1916. It’s fun!

See what it’s like in this video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/14/are-you-the-next-real-estate-star-stop-by-hgtvs-frontdoor-booth-1916-at-nar/feed/ 0 Test Your TV presence with HGTV’s FrontDoor.com at the REALTORS® Conference in San Diego! http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/10/test-your-tv-presence-with-hgtvs-frontdoor-com-at-the-realtors-conference-in-san-diego/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/10/test-your-tv-presence-with-hgtvs-frontdoor-com-at-the-realtors-conference-in-san-diego/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:41:12 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1864 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Test Your TV presence with HGTV’s FrontDoor.com at the REALTORS® Conference in San Diego!", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/10/test-your-tv-presence-with-hgtvs-frontdoor-com-at-the-realtors-conference-in-san-diego/" }); ]]> Think you’ve got what it takes to be a real estate expert in the media, or even HGTV?

Then join HGTV’s FrontDoor.com at the REALTORS® Conference in San Diego this weekend! Here’s how:

Sabrina-Soto1.  Attend the “Test Out Your On-Camera Presence” session

Saturday, 11/14, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., San Diego Convention Center, Room 28A
or
Sunday, 11/15, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., San Diego Convention Center, Room 28A

The host of HGTV’s Real Estate Intervention, Sabrina Soto, and Channing Dawson, one of the members of the founding executive team of HGTV, will show you:

* how to use video to enhance your brand and business
* the top 10 tips for boosting your on-camera appeal

Attendees will be part of a “studio audience” and a few lucky REALTORS® will be selected to work with Sabrina in an interactive home walk-through.

2. Shoot a 90-second screen test in HGTV’s FrontDoor booth #1916

Annalisa Burgos, FrontDoor’s editorial content guru, will be conducting screen tests in our booth #1916 on the convention floor. We’ll shoot a 90-second video of you reacting to a typical scenario from our HGTV shows. It’s not a lot of time, so you’re on the spot. See how fast you can think on your feet and offer valuable advice for our viewers!

We’ll select a few videos to highlight on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com.

So if you’ll be in San Diego, definitely stop by and say hello to your friends at HGTV’s FrontDoor.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/10/test-your-tv-presence-with-hgtvs-frontdoor-com-at-the-realtors-conference-in-san-diego/feed/ 1 Do you qualify for a homebuyer’s tax credit? It’s not just for first timers anymore… http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/06/do-you-qualify-for-a-homebuyers-tax-credit-its-not-just-for-first-timers-anymore/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/06/do-you-qualify-for-a-homebuyers-tax-credit-its-not-just-for-first-timers-anymore/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:07:23 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1854 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Do you qualify for a homebuyer’s tax credit? It’s not just for first timers anymore…", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/06/do-you-qualify-for-a-homebuyers-tax-credit-its-not-just-for-first-timers-anymore/" }); ]]> tax-return-form-tax-creditIt’s official. The popular first time homebuyer tax credit, which many say is responsible for keeping the housing market afloat, has been extended and expanded to include repeat buyers.

Find out if you qualify for the expanded credit.

You now have until April 30, 2010, to secure a contract for a home purchase and until June 30, 2010, to close on it. Buyers had been scrambling to close by the previous deadline of Nov. 30.

President Barack Obama signed into law a $24 billion economic stimulus bill today, which includes these incentives. With numerous reports of people abusing the credit, Congress included a provision that requires buyers to submit documentation with their tax returns to claim the credit. The new program is estimated to cost taxpayers $11 billion.

So go out there. Hit up some open houses this weekend. Get house hunting tips and advice at openhouse.com.

You just may find a house you love and get paid for buying it.

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/06/do-you-qualify-for-a-homebuyers-tax-credit-its-not-just-for-first-timers-anymore/feed/ 1