Raleigh Living by Erin Engstrom

When buying a home, you may qualify for downpayment assistance. There are many programs that help not only first-time home buyers, but also low-moderate income borrowers. Read this guide to learn more about these opportunities.

Downpayment Assistance Options Accumulating down payment money for a house is important, but can be challenging, especially for millennials bogged down in massive student loan debt. But don’t despair. Help is available through down payment assistance programs -- in other words -- free money. The Federal Housing Administration, ...

Be sure to include the family in your curb appeal projects when prepping your home for sale. It will give everyone a vested interest and make things easier.

Trying to keep your home tidy for showings? Here’s what you can do to keep your house as dust-free as possible.

My House is a Dust Bowl: What to Do? How can you enjoy warm weather without dust and pollen taking over your home? Here’s what you need to know.

You only get one shot at a first impression. That's why curb appeal is so important when selling your home. Get started with these 5 easy steps and then give me a call to get your home listed!

Make a Good First Impression With These Curb Appeal Tips! When prospective buyers arrive to peruse your newly listed home, will they get a good first impression of the front yard? Put your gardening gloves on and roll up your sleeves. We’ve got work to do. The front lawn, which plays a major role in the overall impression the property, should be lush and...

You may be tempted to try and save money on commissions by selling or buying your home without the services of a real estate agent. But do you have a complete picture of the services real estate professionals offer? Before you DIY your real estate deal, here’s what you need to know about the value real estate agents bring to the process.

Don’t Rely on Technology Alone When Buying or Selling a Home Agents provide vital services in real estate transactions. Here’s how a real estate agent adds value when you’re buying or selling a home.

For the look of a new kitchen without a full renovation, consider updating your cabinets with new paint and hardware.

If you’re like most consumers, you give no thought to what light bulb to grab when replacing a burned-out one. But the wattage of the bulb must match the lamp’s limit for both energy efficiency and safety. So choose the right bulb by using this handy guide.

Choose The Correct Light Bulb Wattage There’s a fire risk if a light bulb’s wattage exceeds what the fixture or lamp allows. So let’s shed some light on bulb wattage requirements.

A staged home shows best, so get rid of the clutter. Put your best foot forward with these helpful tips.

Home for Sale: Preparing for an Open House Take the guesswork out of getting your home ready with this checklist of the top 10 questions to ask before scheduling an open house.

When it comes to maintenance free materials, quartz countertops are probably the best combination of beauty and ease of care. Click through to learn more about low-maintenance home material options.

Building a Maintenance Free Home One of the big advantages to buying a newer home is the use of modern building materials that reduce -- and in some cases, completely eliminate -- the need for costly home repairs. Check out these advances in building materials and techniques, which are also a great choice for those with older homes...

Brightly colored flowers against the backdrop of fresh mulch can do wonders for your yard's curb appeal when selling.

Today’s kitchens often feature open shelving instead of upper cabinets. The possibilities for these shelves are endless, but that may be the problem. How do you create an Instagram-worthy design on open shelving? Here’s a how-to guide.

Styling Kitchen Open Shelves Open shelving presents opportunities both to store and to display. Here’s what you need to know about styling kitchen open shelves.

Are you bewildered by your local home improvement store's array of white paints? Here’s a guide to choosing the "right white" for your home.

How to Choose the Right White Paint White paint might seem the simplest choice for painting your home’s walls, but it’s anything but. Here are some tips.