Ray Ailstock

Check a warm fridge’s temperature dial   Make sure it hasn’t been turned way down. Kids may have messed with it, or someone might have bumped the knob. Also, make sure that food containers don’t block the fridge and freezer compartments’ vents—they supply the flow of frigid air. Technicians report that up to 30 percent of their service calls require only the push…

There are many unsubstantiated theories as to why home values are continuing to increase. From those who are worried that lending standards are again becoming too lenient (data shows this is untrue), to those who are concerned that prices are again approaching boom peaks because of “irrational exuberance” (this is also untrue as prices are not at peak levels when they are adjusted for inflation), there seems…

You’ve found the perfect house. Interest rates are still low. There’s just one thing standing between you and your dream home: a down payment. Don’t abandon your home­ownership dreams just yet. Here are nine ways to come up with cash for a new home. 1. Pay off your credit cards Paying bills will help in your hunt for down payment…

Homeowners don't generally think about filling the shoes of a first-time home seller until they decide to buy a new home. Usually, the motivating factor is the need to move -- due to work-related issues or the needs of a growing family -- and that generally involves buying another house. It's when the homeowners stop to consider the move that…

Spring is here, and so is spring home-buying and -selling. Buyers and sellers preparing to take action this season should put those plans into play now—according to Zillow Group’s Report on Consumer Housing Trends, the No. 1 regret for both buyers and sellers is “not starting their home search or prepping their home to sell soon enough.” “This spring, both…

For-sale-by-owners tend to sell their homes for lower prices than homes sold through traditional agents via the MLS, and in many cases below the average differential represented by the prevailing commission rate, according to a new study by Collateral Analytics. The study examined the price differences between homes sold through traditional agents versus those sold by FSBOs from 2016 to the first…

Welcome to the ultimate moving checklist—a list of all the things you should do before moving into your new home. Let's face it: With all the excitement of new digs, it's easy to forget some important tasks. Plus, certain things are best done while the house is still vacant, long before your boxes and furniture are parked in the place. Put these things off, and it…

Happy Holidays from my home to yours!

Thanks to everyone for your support and attendance of the 2017 Cottage Home Block Party! Great attendance and an AMAZING night! See below for some pictures of the event.

  The Annual Cottage Home Block Neighborhood Block Party, presented by Raymond Ailstock of Tomorrow Realty, is the best party in town! WHEN: Saturday, October 14th, 5-11pm WHERE: Highland Ave. and Dorman St. between E. St. Clar & North St. (714 N. Highland Ave.) Featuring food trucks Bettis BBQ & the Corn Man, Cosmic Chrome Cafe, Cottage Home food booth,…