By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Renovating a house is an exciting project! With a little preparation and a few precautions, creating a dream home can be a fun and enjoyable experience. When planning a remodel, it is natural to want everything done quickly – but rushing through the process without covering all bases

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Lack of inventory continues to affect the “for sale” housing market in big ways.  Many homeowners are looking at staying put and improving their homes instead of moving. An analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HDMA) data from 2017 of 7.3 million loans helped rank U.S. cities by

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development   When starting a remodel or building project, how should a homeowner go about choosing the correct contractor? Ensure the right fit by interviewing general contractors beyond the basics. Here are ten questions to help you make the final decision.   How is the contractor’s company structured? Know

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Thinking about adding some value and style to your home this summer? Completing some of these top-ranked home renovations will get you the most return on investment at resale. Bathroom Remodel Average return at resale: 102% Even a minor bathroom update can see a high return on investment.

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development   Strong curb appeal is vital – if people drive by a home and are not impressed, they are less likely to walk inside. The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraiser, encourages homeowners to prioritize outdoor projects to improve the look of a

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Millennials are currently the most active generation when it comes to home renovations. The current housing market has forced millennials to purchase lower–end homes in need of fixing up. Millennials have compromised on the size and condition of their starter homes to afford homeownership. A lack of housing

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development   In the age of Pinterest and never-ending home improvement television shows, the “experts” are always raving about the next big thing when it comes to renovations and trends. A home following too many trends can be a confusing and expensive letdown. When re-doing the hub of the

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development   Replacing a roof is expensive. Consumers can prevent the cost burden of big repairs through routine maintenance and inspections. A new roof costs thousands of dollars while an older roof can be protected. Maintaining a roof will prolong its life and keep a homeowner from having to

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development   Charlie Woodhull has been working as the Midwest account executive for AmeriFirst Finance for almost a year. Part of his work involves recruiting new contractors and teaching them how to use the AmeriFirst platform, but the most rewarding aspect of his job is consulting with owners and

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development In 2017, almost 80 percent of Americans received a tax refund averaging a whopping $2,782! That’s a lot of cash that could be used to pay down debt, put in the bank, or add some energy-efficient fixtures that could save you even more money in the long run.