Joyce Thomas Blog

Getting a dog can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Seeing your cute pet’s tail wag when you get home from a long day at work can be a heartwarming experience that makes the responsibilities of dog ownership worthwhile.But don’t forget those responsibilities, including financial...

If you want your money to work for you, there are two main ways to achieve this goal: saving and investing. Knowing which option to choose is critical if you want your money to work the hardest.Here are some ways to prioritize the two: Start With SavingsPutting money into a savings account of som...

Did you know ads don’t sell homes? 50% of local buyers hear about your home through agents. As your local real estate professional, I thought you’d be interested in this data on agent-powered home sales. This simple infographic will debunk the over-glorified conception of ads as influential for h...

Will staging increase your home’s value?It’s obvious that you want your home looking as good as possible when you’re trying to sell it. You want to give buyers a great first impression, and there’s a long-held belief that professional home staging will lead to buyers paying more for a house.Howev...

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in any household. It’s where meals are cooked and families eat, and also a place to play fun games or just talk. The foodie craze is changing the way we eat and the way we cook. Amateur chefs get ideas from cooking shows and then visit farmers markets to fi...

The way in which mortgage loan officers are compensated may be changing if rules proposed by the mortgage industry are adopted, and that could affect how much homebuyers pay in loan costs. In 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) changed the rules for loan officer compensation by ...

If you’re building a new home, make sure your foundation is sound. Consider going with concrete, analyzing your soil, and testing your materials. Check out this infographic for more detailed information.

When it comes to making a big purchase, having a credit card can make the process easier, especially if you don’t have the necessary funds when it comes time to pay. While pulling out a credit card and swiping it to pay for any and everything can often become second nature, there are ways to get ...

How much goes or should go into a down payment? On average, how much can you expect to spend on utilities on a monthly basis? Here are some important things to consider when calculating the real cost of homeownership. 

If you’re overwhelmed by the cost of your mortgage or the amount of time you spend cleaning and maintaining your home, or if your kids have moved out and you have more space than you need, you may be thinking about downsizing. While there are many advantages associated with moving to a smaller ho...