The Barker Team Blog

Protecting Vacant Homes          Whether you are selling a vacant home or going to be away from your home for an extended period of time, the following items will help to protect and preserve your property in your absence! Winterize your plumbing.  This is one of the...

When should a buyer complete their home inspections? A common question that The Barker Team is often asked by buyers is “When do we complete our inspections – before or after we go into contract on a home?”.    Inspections are a very important aspect of buying a home...

Winter Home Maintenance Tips             There’s always so much to do when winter rolls around. The winter gear needs brought out and the warm weather stuff needs put away, the shovels and windshield scrapers need to be handy, and most importantly your house needs the...

"Realtors® know how important it is for buyers to be able to picture themselves living in a home and, according to NAR's most recent report, staging a home makes that process much easier for potential buyers," said NAR President William E. Brown, a Realtor® from...

DIY Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget: 5 Money-Saving Steps By: Gretchen Roberts Published: January 19, 2012 Can't afford an entire kitchen remodel in one fell swoop? You can complete the work in 5 budget-saving stages (and still cook dinner during the down time). Major...

Written by: LEANNE POTTS Myth 1: A Lemon Is a Great Way to Clean a Disposal Fact: While wanting to use natural cleaners is admirable, all of them will damage your disposal and pipes over time. The lemon’s acidic juice will corrode the metal parts of your disposal. The...

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you. House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you want at the best price....

8 Tips for Adding Curb Appeal and Value to Your Home By: Pat Curry A good washing, and a bit of color are two low-cost ways. Homes with high curb appeal command higher prices and take less time to sell. The way your house looks from the street -- attractively...

The last thing you want if you’re traveling these holidays is to worry about someone burglarizing your home. Use this check list to add some peace of mind while you’re out of town. Ask a trusted friend - to pick up mail, newspaper and keep yard picked up to avoid an...

This article was contributed by LaTisha Styles, a millennial finance expert and business coach, who blogs at “Young Finances.”  How do I get approved for a loan? Who will help me find the right home? Who can help me? Don’t panic! Here are the top four people you need...

Millennial buyers are the same as any other buyers - they just have slightly different mindsets when it comes to starting the home buying process. The term "millennial"  is defined as a person born between 1982 and 2004, meaning that many people who don't consider...

We have said it once and we will say it again, but curb appeal can set your house a part from the rest of the neighborhood. Fall decorating of your door and lawn does not just need to be limited to Halloween, but can be for the whole season. The list below is a...

Fall is perhaps the most beautiful time of year to be in the great outdoors. The haze and humidity of summer have departed, leaving behind crystal clear blue skies and cool breezes. As the temperatures steadily drop, the green hues of summer give way to glorious...

As the middle of September approaches (already!) most, if not all, children have returned to school, an event both anticipated and dreaded among many parents. A return to school means more structured routines around the house, and maybe a much-needed break for moms...

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. Its roots can be traced back to the labor movement in the late nineteenth century, and it officially became a federal holiday in 1894. Many...

There are so many things, big and small, to think about when you move into a new home.  We tend to focus first on the things that directly impact our day-to-day lives, like getting the kids enrolled in a new school or having our mail forwarded at the post office.  But...

With the temperatures still soaring into the 90’s on a regular basis, it’s hard to believe some kids have already headed back to school.  June and July were gone in a flash, and August is following quickly on their heels.  Whether we choose to accept it or not (we...

Would your family be prepared in the event of a natural disaster? No one likes to think about living through a natural disaster or similar crisis, but this is definitely not a task to put off because it’s unpleasant to think about. Recent studies show that 65% of...

As a real estate company, we would be remiss if we did not chime in on the latest trend in houses – tiny houses!  A tiny house is just that: a complete house with a kitchen, bathroom, living space, and sleeping space, all for less than 700 square feet.  In fact, many...

Blue is back in a big way – if it ever even left! Cool and calming, it’s also a crowd-pleaser, making it a great color option for those who like to play it safe with their home decor. If you’re bolder, opt for shades of teal periwinkle for a stylish color punch....