Phil Aitken
Phil Aitken
Owner/Broker

Blog

TLC’s

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Most TLC reality show buffs are familiar with the program “The Little Couple” starring Dr. Jennifer Arnold and her spouse, Bill Klein.  Fans will be interested to learn that the famous couple sold their Houston home post-Hurricane Harvey for a canal front home in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Unfortunately, the family was forced to evacuate their […]

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The Builder’s Warranty: Know BEFORE You Purchase

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New construction is booming all over the country and prospective buyers want the closest thing to a guarantee possible when purchasing a newly built home.  There is no greater peace of mind for a new homeowner than that which comes with knowing that the cost to repair or replace certain components will be covered by […]

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Buying a Home Sight Unseen: 4 Things You Should Know

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In most cases, home buying usually goes in a six-step order: decide on a budget, find a lender, hire a realtor, make a list of must-haves, look at properties, make an offer, purchase mortgage, close.  In other circumstances, shoppers are willing to purchase properties sight unseen.  For example, Marcia recently sold her home and is […]

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Taxes & Your Home Equity Loan

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Home equity loans afford homeowners the opportunity to access extra cash quickly.  While using your home as collateral may not seem like a big deal, the rules of such debt have changed dramatically thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and you need to know the tax benefits and burdens for 2018 and 2019.   […]

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15 Tasks to Complete Prior to Your Big Move

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Moving is a generally overwhelming process and the details are endless.  Specific details are best tended to while a home is vacant and can become more tedious once your new residence is filled with boxes and furniture.  The Aitken Home Team presents 15 tasks to complete prior to moving: UTILITIESDon’t make the mistake of assuming […]

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Low Market Inventory Driving Up Prices

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Spring is officially here and thousands of buyers are all encountering the same problem when it comes to house hunting: extremely low inventory.  The construction of new homes is down roughly 0.6% from January, yet has increased by roughly 0.5% since February of 2017.   The housing market is off-balance, to say the least.  In a […]

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Seattle Boasts Double the National Average in Price Gains

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When it comes to a booming economy, prime online shopping, and a hopping real estate market, Seattle reigns supreme.  Seattle has experienced almost DOUBLE the national average in increased price gains, September reflecting a 12.9% hike year over year.  While national home prices were up by 0.4% from August, Seattle boasts an annual spike of […]

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Calculating Square Footage: Size Matters

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Square footage does not hold an established standard for measurement.  When it comes to real estate, size matters, therefore it is imperative to have an accurate determination of square footage before buying or selling a home as the property value could be affected.   Related: “4 Tips for Long Distance House Hunting” Most house hunters and […]

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5 Steps to Summer Savings

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Summertime can be one of the most expensive seasons of the year for Floridians, especially when cranking the AC during extreme heatwaves.   The Aitken Home Team presents five steps to summer energy savings: 1. – Change those filters! Clean filters are paramount when running a central air conditioning system smoothly and efficiently.  Be sure to […]

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5 Typical Moving Expenses

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Moving can be an expensive endeavor and, depending on the type of move, expenses are usually based on a particular expected level of service.   The Aitken Home Team presents five typical expenses you can expect to face during your next move: Truck Rental If you are planning to conquer your next move all by yourself, […]

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