Nobody likes a Grinch. I'm not talking about the new movie - LOTS of people like that Grinch. I'm talking about the holiday thieves that target your home as a source for their own "gifts."  With Christmas just around the corner, you're most likely neck deep in decorations, gift shopping, wrapping paper and stockings. Additional home safety might not be at the forefront of your mind, especially when you're bringing additional goodies and gadgets to place under your tree. But don't worry, we've got five tips to help you stay safe and sound this holiday season. 

1. Don't overshare during this season of sharing. 

Social media is commonplace. Telling people where you're going before you leave might be tempting. You're excited about a vacation and…

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Happy Holidays! Christmas is only a weekend away. Surely, some of you are getting ready to travel to visit family and friends. Others are preparing to host large groups of people to celebrate the holidays together. When hosting guests, much like preparing for an open house, everyone wants to put their best foot forward. Cleaning can become an overwhelming thought, but remember the reason people are coming together is more important than your house looking squeaky clean. 

So, to help you get your house guest-ready, here are a few tips. These should have your home looking prepared, but you won't have to break your back in the process. 

1. Clean up the entryway - This is the first thing your guests will see. They say you should make a good first…

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Every Monday Morning at 8:15am, join me on my Facebook page as I sit down with a local lender, and do a live interview and talk about a Mortgage Tip that may help YOU with your next Real Estate Purchase. 

This morning I sat down with Mark Waterman from Great Western Bank. Mark gave a short breakdown of a loan estimate. You can reach him at 605.627.0602 or Mark.Waterman@GreatWesternBank.com  His office is located at 1302 6th St., Brookings SD 57006 or on the web at www.GreatWesternBank.com

 

  What is a Loan Estimate?

 

- All righty. Good morning, everybody. Shane here from the Brookings Home Team, powered by Century 21. And you can see this familiar face right here, Mark--Waterman over here at Great Western. This will be episode…

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In Brookings, South Dakota, it's no secret that snow falls in bunches. Some snow is heavier than other, so it's a good idea to check on your roof to see how much snow is up there. Too much weight on your roof is never a good thing. And we all know what happens when too much snow bursts through a roof! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_uscBJn0p0 Okay, okay, your roof isn't the Metrodome in Minneapolis. It's most likely safe and won't cave in. But if you're worried about the snow on your roof, here are a few things to look for or that you can do to mitigate the risk. 

First, the weight of the snow, not 'how much', is what matters

The depth of snow on your roof might not tell the whole story. A foot of fluffy white snow is less of a concern than…

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We've all got our own wish list for our homes. Some people want a pool while others prefer a wet bar. Some might want to add a basketball hoop along the driveway while others prefer an outdoor kitchen area. While these hold value for the individual, they may not add value to your home. Certain things like a kitchen remodel or adding another bedroom or bathroom will increase your home's value. Other things might not provide a return on your investment when selling your home. 

So, it's up to you to decide. Do you want to improve something that adds value to you? Or do you want to add value to your home for future buyers? I completely understand that built-in surround sound system that is hyper-focused to your favorite chair's current location. You…

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Every Monday Morning at 8:15am, join me on my Facebook page as I sit down with a local lender, and do a live interview and talk about a Mortgage Tip that may help YOU with your next Real Estate Purchase. 

This morning I sat down with Stacy Himley from Guaranteed Rate.  In this episode, Stacy explained why the credit score pulled by the bank may be different than the score pulled from online websites . You can reach Stacy at 605.605.690.2305 or Stacy.Himley@rate.com  Her office is located at 304 4th St Brookings SD, 57006 or on the web at www.Rate.com/StacyHimley

 

 Credit Score Variances

 

- Hey, good mornin', everybody. Shane here, from the Brookings Home Team, Powered by Century 21. It is a cold Monday, 8:15 in the morning, and I…

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