Phil's Blog

If you're looking to buy a home, be sure to spend as much time -- if not more -- checking out the neighborhood as you do looking at the home itself. Picking the right neighborhood will determine your family's safety, education and attitude. In short, the neighborhood you live in affects your qual...

Phil Kretchmar | RE/MAX Advantage | 214-244-8159 1113 Windhaven Cir, Lewisville, TX 4BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $209,900 Year Built 2002 Sq Footage 2,292 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 8,999 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This bea...

Applying weather stripping around doors and windows is a low-cost way to stop drafts and cut down on heating and cooling costs. Here's what you do: 1. Learn the different kinds of stripping -- adhesive-backed V strips that can be cut with scissors or a utility knife; compression strips; tubular g...

Are you considering putting your house up for sale, but not sure where to start? Afraid it will take too long to sell, or that you won't get the price you want? If this is the case, you should definitely think about "staging" your home -- or in other words -- setting the scene for immediate buyer...

 If you've ever stepped out of a hot shower on a cold morning and were pleasantly surprised to discover a warm floor, you were probably experiencing radiant floor heating. Though this form of heating has been widely used throughout Europe and the Far East the past few decades, it has only recentl...

As your real estate closing or settlement date approaches, there are various things you must do to ensure the transaction closes smoothly and on time. As escrow requirements differ from location to location, understanding what needs to be done and preparing accordingly is the key to a stress-free...

Most home sellers realize how important it is to properly prepare their home before putting it on the market, but with all the TV shows emphasizing cleaning up, remodeling and home staging, it might leave you wondering how much you're going to need to spend. The quick answer: Invest as little as ...

Hardwood flooring remains a popular choice for home owners because it's durable, easy to clean, and offers a classic beauty that's hard to match. Originally introduced in medieval times, hardwood flooring today has evolved into a superior choice due to improved installation techniques and innovat...