Sandy Bender Real Estate

The future is now for homeowners, as more and more people are looking to smart devices to improve their everyday living.  From thermostats, to fire and carbon monoxide detectors, technology and automation is getting more sophisticated. What’s the current state of smart technology, and where is it going?  Here are a few new devices that […]

SAccording to a survey from meal kit delivery company HelloFresh, 35% of millennials who own a home or are likely to purchase a home in the next few years said the kitchen is the most important room when it comes to the house hunt.  But what features are trending? Here are some to look out […]

While the price of a home might seem to be in your budget at face value, forgotten costs of the buying and moving process could potentially put you over budget in the long run. Here are six costs that are often overlooked, courtesy of Redfin. Improvements. Even if the home you buy isn’t a fixer-upper, […]

Each year brings about new home design trends, and one of the most popular rooms to study is the kitchen. Looking at trend studies can provide inspiration for homeowners considering updating or remodeling their kitchens, so check out these findings from the latest Houzz report. 1. Organization and decluttering are top priorities. Seventy-five percent of […]

What may seem like small problems in your home can be a big deal to prospective buyers who will want to discount the price. Realtor.com names six of the minuscule things that could be big hurdles to closing. 1. An old electrical panel – Buyers will want it “up to code.” Get bids from multiple […]

As a homeowner, there’s no landlord or maintenance engineer to ask for help. So Realtor.com recommends you learn to handle these five basic problems: 1. Change HVAC filters: Replace quarterly to keep your system running smoothly and cut energy bills. 2. Cutting the water supply: Find and tab the shut-off valve when you first move […]

If you use your garage as storage space, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, because the space isn’t climate-controlled, it’s best to keep these items elsewhere, according to Realtor.com. 1. Family photos – Pollutants, moisture and heat can quickly destroy your photos. Digitizing all photos is the best practice, or keep printed copies in a dry area […]

I recently sold a gorgeous house near the University of Missouri at St. Louis to a young couple, newly married, one from Texas and the other from Alabama. Wonderful old home, two stories, solidly built all brick, with a two story add on: breakfast room on the first floor and master bathroom above. Wonderful home. […]

Realtor.com shares 8 top home care myths that are a waste of your time and money. 1. Stone countertops are indestructible. In fact, stone countertops are easy to stain and scratch. Plus, regular household cleaners and mildly acidic substances, like soda, coffee and wine, can dull stone surfaces over time. 2. Your smoke detector’s test […]

When buying a home, there are some things you should never compromise on – or you’ll likely regret your home purchase, according to Realtor.com. 1. The floor plan. It’s difficult and expensive to reconfigure a home’s floor plan. If a home doesn’t have the minimum number of rooms or the flow of the main living […]