Posts made by author 'Eileen Smith Voyles'

The bedroom can serve various purposes for one's everyday life. For some, the bedroom also acts as an office, library and laundry room, but in the end, it is still a sanctuary for sleep. While you can't build more hours into your day, you can redesign and style your bedroom to improve your chances of getting a restful night's sleep. Your bedroom should be the most luxurious and personal space in your home – an oasis that conducts relaxation and comfort – so here are some tips on how you can style your bedroom for better sleep.

Click Here to Read More...

In the past month, I've traveled to Oregon and Utah. While there, I found myself house-hunting with a daughter and a sister. Both are married. Both see the benefits of home ownership and want to jump into the market, given the extremely cheap money offered by lenders (interest rates dipping into the 3s!) and strong appreciation potential.

Being with them and their spouses led me to contemplate, from the 10,000-foot view, a few principles inherent to successful home ownership. Here are several ways to think about money so that you can become a homeowner, prosper as a homeowner, and ultimately, sell your home at a profit.

Needs, Wants and Savings

Spending can be divided into three categories – needs, wants, and savings. Allocate 50 percent of your aftertax income for needs such as food, rent, trans...

Click Here to Read More...

It's no secret that the majority of the younger generations are renting for longer than their elder counterparts. With an abundance of student loan debt and soaring home prices, it's no wonder why most people are turning to renting. However, as rent prices steadily increase, is it better to bite the bullet and invest in a home? The decades-long debate about renting versus buying is far from over, but here are a few things to consider to help you make the best decision for you.

Click Here to Read More...

One of the first decisions you have to make when buying a home is if you should buy new construction or an existing home with fixer-upper potential. Unfortunately, there is no right or wrong answer – it all depends on your individual situation and personal preferences. To help you in your decision-making process, we've outlined some key pros and cons to each option.

Click Here to Read More...

Market research for clients leads me down interesting rabbit holes. Lately, in working with folks in the Elizabethtown Area School District, I delved heavily into home sales for the four municipalities that make up EASD. Who would have thought the township of roughly 4,000 residents nestled in the northwestern corner of Lancaster county, with no major industry, would show up its neighbors in home salability?

From January to May, the median price of a home in Conoy Township was $244,750. Compare this to Elizabethtown Borough ($194,000), Mount Joy Township ($226,000), and West Donegal Township ($234,950).

Kevin McKain, Conoy Township supervisor, shed some light on the township's appeal to home buyers.

"We're a rural setting; it's very quaint here. Alm...

Click Here to Read More...