Blog | Mary Ellen Maloney

5 Smart home features that pay for themselves

When we think of smart home appliances, it can be easy to think of virtual assistants or high-tech gadgets with amazing features. While some of these devices are created primarily for convenience, others are designed to pay for themselves many times over. Here are five examples of smart home features that ...

Improving your yard drainage

If your yard is full of puddles, soggy soil and waterlogged plants, it’s time to invest in better yard drainage. Depending on the cause and severity of the issue, there are plenty of DIY options you can handle without spending a fortune. Understanding common causes leading to drainage problems and ...

Should You Get a Pre-Sale Home Inspection?

Unless you’re in a seller’s market where you can expect many offers, quickly, it might make sense to get a pre-sale home inspection. It can give your listing a competitive advantage. What is it? It’s simply a professional inspection you get done on your own home. Assuming only a few inconsequential issues ...

DTI basics: All about debt-to-income ratio

Your credit score isn’t the only financial factor that matters when applying for a mortgage. Your debt to income ratio, or DTI, is an important indicator of your financial situation. Lenders use DTI - with other financial facts - to determine whether you’re a ...