Author: corkvalleyproperties

How to Garden in a Rental Property

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1. Grow Herbs on Your Windowsill When getting creative about what to plant and grow at your rental property, start easy with herbs! Herbs are great plants to start with because they are easy (you can buy kits online!) and useful since you can use them in your cooking. Easy herbs to start with are … Continued

Things to do in Pittsburgh This Spring

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1. Go on Local Hikes Even though Pittsburgh is a big city, it has so many local parks to offer! We love to explore local hiking trails such as Boyce-Mayview Park, South Park, North Park, and Schenley Park. You get to have experience the feeling of escape right in your backyard! Being from the South … Continued

How to Prepare Your Home for Spring

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1. Clean Your Gutters Take the time to remove any lingering debris from your gutters to prepare for the April showers. Remember to wear gloves as you clear them! Check that all of your gutters are depositing at least 5 feet away from your foundation to not cause any potential damage. 2. Check Your Filters … Continued

Spring 2021 Design Trends We Love

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1. Earthy Neutrals There is something cozy about deep neutrals in the home. They can be used as main features, like accent walls, or sprinkled in through metal fixtures such as bronze door handles and iron bedframes. We are currently loving black and bronze hardware in our homes. 2. Greenery To bring color to any … Continued

FAQs for Selling Your Home

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1. Do I need to list with a Real Estate Agent? Being a “For Sale By Owner” and forgoing paying for agent commissions may seem tempting, but it is best to consult with and hire a professional. Just like when searching for a future home, a great Real Estate Agent will be key to selling … Continued

FAQs for First Time Home Buyers

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3. How do I find a mortgage professional? We’ve been mentioning a lot about a mortgage professional, but how do you find one? There are many different types of lenders: banks, credit unions, private mortgage lenders, etc. Buying a home (and a mortgage) is a huge purchase, so take your time in shopping around for … Continued

How to be the Best Landlord and Find the Best Tenants

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4 Tips to be a Great Landlord 1. Preparation is Key! Take time and pride in creating your lease documents. These can include, but are not limited to, your lease, rules and regulations, pet policy, etc. Consult your local Landlord/Tenant laws and/or a lawyer to make sure your documents are within the legal rights. When … Continued

Why You Should Care About Your Credit Score

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Why is having a good credit score important for home buyers? Buyers need to care about their credit score, too! When you initiate a home purchase as a buyer, banks and mortgage lenders will run your credit report. This will determine the home buyer’s ability to secure a mortage and also the terms that the … Continued

Bringing your Basement to Life!

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Living in a rental space with an unfinished basement? Owning your home but not wanting to incur the cost of finishing your basement? Here are some tips on how to make your unfinished basement a livable space in your home! Organize the “Floorplan” Make sure you section off different areas of the basement to give … Continued

Decorating a Rental for the Holidays

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Go for a Skinny, Fake Tree Due to their fire risk, some rentals prohibit real Christmas trees. Forgo that by getting a faux tree! You can find a tree that is perfect for the size space you need and can save money by using the tree year after year. Check out pre-lit trees to make … Continued

How to Prepare Your Home to Sell

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Thinking of putting your home on the market? Taking a few simple steps could make the listing, showing, and ultimate selling process much easier! Check out Cork Valley Properties’ tips on prepping your home to sell below! Start from the Outside Make a good first impression with your curb appeal! Clean up your landscaping by … Continued

How to Prepare Your House for Winter

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Living in Pittsburgh, PA, we all have the luxury of enjoying all four seasons. Unfortunately for homeowners, that means that we need to make sure our properties are in tip-top shape to weather spring, summer, fall, and winter. Here at Cork Valley Properties, we wanted to share some tips on how to ensure that your … Continued