You don’t need a massive plot of land to start growing herbs, flowers, and veggies. All you need is a little creativity, soil, water, and sunlight (and we even have solutions for shady yards as well). To guide your green thumb, Maleno dug up nine tips for starting a garden anywhere.

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Even amid a pandemic, people are still selling, buying, and renting. While it’s difficult to predict all of the long-term effects that the COVID-19 crisis will have on the real estate market, we can tell you where we are now, and where we could be headed. From virtual open houses to record-low interest rates, we’ve outlined a multitude of critical changes and how to navigate them.

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There are a lot of people involved in the typical home buying process. Typically, you’ll work with a real estate agent, an attorney, and a mortgage lender.

Because their responsibilities are so intertwined, there’s a lot of confusion about what exactly each person does. To help you parse the differences between their respective duties, we created this at-a-glance guide to who’s who in real estate. We’ll spell out what each professional does and how he or she can help you with your home buying needs.

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As you approach retirement age, you might be feeling a spectrum of emotions. Perhaps you are already daydreaming about a whole new level of freedom, or maybe you are getting concerned about how you'll fill up all of that newly found downtime. Perhaps you're excited to get started on some long-delayed projects, or you're tired of housework and repairs.

One decision you'll have to consider in your golden years is your living situation.  To help you make the best decision of where to reside in this new chapter of life, we've outlined three crucial considerations for making a move in retirement. 

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If you’re reading this piece, chances are good you’ve made the decision to either purchase or sell a house. It’s an exciting time, but the process can get overwhelming without guidance and support. For that reason, whether you’re a seasoned property owner or a first-time homebuyer, we always recommend working with a real estate agent. 

But, the problem is: there are well over a million agents from which to choose. Before you put what is most likely your largest asset in someone else’s hands, it is wise to do some homework. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve outlined six tips for helping you select an agent that doesn’t just meet, but, goes above and beyond to exceed your needs. 

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At first glance, buying a fixer-upper seems like a no-brainer. After all, HGTV and the DIY Network make it look like a breeze. Of course, those “featured homebuyers” are surrounded by a cast of professionals who are paid to make those properties sparkle by the end of each episode. For the rest of us, the process of turning a fixer-upper into a move-in ready home doesn’t always go as it does on TV.  So, is it right for you?  Maybe yes, maybe no. These are things you should consider...

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The holidays are supposed to be holly and jolly.  We help you keep them that way with these 8 simple home safety tips.

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Whether you're looking for a smart financial investment or a new place to call home, chances are you can find both in Erie if you know the signs of a good buy.  To make shopping easier, Maleno created an at-a-glance guide for those who need a little extra reassurance that the house they want is the right one.

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Signs of a potential recession are starting to appear again: Huge swings in the stock market, output gaps, a slowing global economy, trade war tensions, and yield curve inversions. According to Chief Economist of First American Financial Corporation, Mark Fleming, in an interview with U.S. News, "if a recession is to occur, is unlikely to be caused by housing-related activity, and therefore the housing sector should be one of the leading sources to come out of the recession."

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Despite the opinions of die-hard homeowners, purchasing a home isn't always the best choice.  We know this statement sounds precarious coming from a real estate brokerage, but we truly believe that the decision to buy or rent should be based completely on an individual's circumstances.

Furthermore, in the words of Bob Dylan, "Times they are a changin'," and with those changes come an adjusted lifestyle for the modern young adult.  So, in defense of Millennials, we've underscored a few reasons why your decision to put off owning a home makes sense.

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