Most pet owners count our pets as an important part of the family. Thus, it makes sense to consider their needs when purchasing or remodeling our homes. Today, we’re sharing our top 12 home must-haves for pet owners. If you want your home to be safe, fun, convenient, and durable for your furry companion, the following recommended essentials are a great place to start!

Bathing Station

Bathing your cat or dog is probably not your favorite part of pet ownership. However, by installing (or shopping for a home that includes) a dedicated pet bathing station, you can make this task much more manageable.

Typically, a pet bathing station is located in a mudroom, laundry room, or dedicated grooming room off the kitchen. Pet showers are elevated, usually

Purchasing real estate is one of the most reliable paths toward building personal wealth, especially in Middle Tennessee, where home values are consistently increasing. However, the amount of your home’s value that should be included in your assessment of your net worth is called equity, and it is our topic today. Whether you’re shopping for your first property, wondering whether equity can help you improve your current home, or are curious whether paying off more of your home loan now is the fastest way to beef up your wealth, we’re here to help. 

Q: What is equity, and how is calculated?

A: Simply put, equity is the dollar amount assigned to the percentage of your home that you independently own.

For simplicity’s sake, let’s use

Back yards are each homeowner’s personal slice of nature. When well maintained, thoughtfully arranged, and studded with pops of your personality, your outdoor living space can become a place where you can entertain long into the night. 

The following must-have backyard items are a blueprint meant for personalization. Only you can picture your perfect paradise, but we hope this list gets your creative mind whirling with possibilities.

1.) Lush Landscaping

If you have the means to have lavish landscaping installed all at once, congratulations! If not, visit one of the best locally-owned plant nurseries for assistance in choosing the best botanicals for your yard, planting them properly, and maintaining them throughout each season. 

As your

Setting up your first home bar or upgrading to a more sophisticated collection of alcoholic beverages can leave you overwhelmed at all of the options. Perhaps you can’t decide where to begin, what to include, or how much to budget. This is a common conundrum many homeowners face when deciding to establish their home’s first official wet bar, so you’re not alone! Today, we’re sharing our list of home bartending must-haves. 

Just the Basics

If you don’t drink often, or have simply never mixed alcoholic beverages before, you may still want to have the supplies on hand for guests who would enjoy a drink when they visit. Follow the below (EASY) five steps to set up a basic at-home bar cart and add to it each month as you learn to make new drinks

A title company's role is to verify that the current owner can legally transfer ownership to the home buyer – essentially, making sure the seller has the right to sell the property.

In this blog, we'll go over how a title company determines legal ownership and the process of transferring the title.

The Title vs. The Deed: Understanding the Difference

Although they may sound like the same document, a deed and title are very different. A deed is a legal document used to transfer the property from the current owner to the new owner. It's signed on the day of closing.

On the other hand, the title is a document stating who owns the property and whether there are any roadblocks to transferring the deed. When you're buying a new property, it's

During this past year, we’ve all been a bit more aware of how our shopping affects our community. We’ve seen local restaurants and independently-owned businesses close, and still more struggle to remain afloat.

One of the simplest ways to support local business owners, essential workers, and connect with others in your community is making the switch from large chain grocery stores to independent, locally-owned markets. We all have to eat, and most of us frequent grocery stores, which makes this switch one of the best places to start.

Today, we’re sharing our top local grocery alternatives to big box stores. We hope you’ll stop by at least one of the following excellent grocers or the farmers market in the coming weeks! 

Many of these grocery

In many regions of Tennessee, residents definitely need a vehicle to get around. Sprawling cities, patchy sidewalks, limited public transportation, and a lack of proper pedestrian infrastructures can make walking a challenge and a potential safety hazard. However, given the personal and environmental benefits of walking daily, it’s well worth it to dedicate some extra time when house hunting to find a home in a walkable neighborhood.

Why walk when you can drive?

Walking often reduces body weight, elevates the mood, improves balance, strengthens muscles, improves bone density, and develops coordination over time. Walking can fend off heart disease, reduce high blood pressure, and improve our body’s response to insulin, which, along with lowered

If there’s one single homeowner’s challenge that can ruin a dream home, it has to be rude, toxic, obnoxious, or just plain awful neighbors. Whether your once-perfect situation has been spoiled by new neighbors, or you’ve just found out that your new home is next to the block’s worst occupant, we have some peaceful, lawful advice to help you deal with your bad neighbors. 

1.) Open a Friendly Dialog

While it may seem like your neighbor absolutely has to be aware that their booming bass is an outrageous breach at 2 a.m., people frequently do not understand how their choices are affecting those around them. Once inside the safety and privacy of their four walls, homeowners can retreat into a mindset that leaves them feeling isolated and removed

If you’re planning to adopt your first kitten or puppy, you likely have many questions regarding pet-proofing your home. In addition to the training, love, and attention your pet will definitely need, creating a safe home environment is important – both for the safety of your new furry friend and all of the beloved items in your home. Today, we’re sharing a comprehensive guide to pet-proofing for the first-time pet owner.

1.) Create a Safe Space

When your pet first arrives home, they will likely feel stressed and overwhelmed by the sudden change of environment. This rule is doubly true for a pet that has been through any sort of trauma prior to adoption. To help them settle in, arrange a secluded, safe space within a bathroom, laundry room,

A home inspection alerts you to any immediate repair concerns plus gives you an idea of what it may cost to maintain the home in good condition. 

Let's take a closer look at the home inspection process so you know what to expect, and what the inspection does and does not include. 

What to Expect During A Home Inspection

Before finalizing your offer to purchase a property, your real estate agent can arrange for a home inspection. The home inspector’s job is to look for any potential problems with the home and document their findings in a report. 

A home inspection isn't the same as an appraisal. 

An appraisal estimates your property's value, whereas a home inspection looks for problems in the home. Another difference is that lenders