Blog | Joanne Podd

A Pre-Approval Checklist for First-Time Homeowners

Buying your first home can be stressful enough without worrying about whether your mortgage loan pre-approval is going to go through. That’s why it’s such a good idea to know the requirements before you narrow down your home search. Here are the top items your mortgage broker or lender will need in order ...

What’s the best way to finance home improvement? A guide to the basics

Major home projects can be costly, which means it's important to find the best way to finance home improvement. While there are plenty of financing options available, each can have serious drawbacks in addition to their benefits. Some situations might benefit from one type ...

Try these outdoor entertaining ideas for your next party

Sometimes the simplest outdoor entertaining ideas are the most successful. By sticking to the basics, you can throw a memorable outdoor dinner party without getting overwhelmed by details. Here are three outdoor entertaining tips to keep you and your guests comfortable any time of year:Keep food simple for outdoor entertainingWhen ...

Blessing or Curse: Living in an HOA Managed Community

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay As more and more planned communities are being constructed along Florida's East Coast from Jacksonville to Miami, the number of Homeowners' Associations (HOAs) are growing exponentially. HOAs are a group of owners charged with creating and enforcing guidelines for the community, working in the common interests of ...