Jim Hawkins NMLS ID 1252841

09/08/2026

Before you wire a single dollar for your home purchase, stop and verify the instructions. 🚨

Cybercriminals can impersonate real estate, mortgage and closing professionals and send convincing emails designed to redirect a buyer’s funds into a fraudulent account.

If you receive wiring instructions or a last-minute change, don’t rely on the contact information in the email. Call your trusted contact using a number you already know and verify everything before sending money.

Buying a home is exciting. Losing your closing funds to a scammer definitely isn’t. Know what to watch for and how to protect yourself.

Cybercriminals are now targeting home buyers by stealing their down payments electronically. Guard yourself against this cybercrime with these tips.

09/07/2026

Hard work comes in many forms and today is about recognizing the people behind it.

To everyone who puts in the time, effort and dedication to provide for their families, serve their communities and build something they’re proud of, today we celebrate you.

Wishing you a relaxing and well-deserved Labor Day!

09/04/2026

Thinking your next move might involve selling your current home first?

When buyers walk through the door, you want them looking at everything they love about your home, not the little things you meant to fix, clean or put away before the showing.

If a move could be in your future, these tips can help you get your home ready to make a great first impression.

And when you’re ready to start thinking about financing the home that comes next, I’m here to help with that part.

It goes without saying that you want your home to shine when prospective buyers view your home. Yet you’d be surprised how many sellers skimp on this important step in the home-selling process. Here are six keys to unlocking maximum appeal. Clean house inside and out. Not only should the regular m...

09/03/2026

Want to trim one of your household bills without making a big change to your lifestyle?

You may be surprised by how much water gets wasted around your home without you even noticing it. A few small changes can help conserve water and potentially lower your monthly bill at the same time.

Here are six places to start looking for savings around your home.

Homeowners with an eye on water conservation will be richly rewarded, saving themselves money on monthly water bills and helping their fellow citizens guard against potential water shortages. Here are six ways to tap into savings at the tap. Low-flow faucet heads. Install low-flow nozzles on all you...

09/02/2026

Still have a running list of things you want or need for your home?

September could be a good month to check a few of them off. With Labor Day sales and retailers making room for new seasonal inventory, you may find better prices on everything from bigger home purchases to fall projects.

Before paying full price for something on your wish list, see what may be worth shopping for this month.

One important exception: If you’re in the middle of buying or refinancing a home, check with me before making any large purchases or opening new credit. That great deal can wait until after closing!

Major appliances, furniture, laptops and school supplies are all discounted in September, starting with heavily advertised sales over Labor Day weekend. Also, keep a lookout for deals on air conditioners as the weather cools down and demand drops.

09/01/2026

foreclosed home with an attractive price tag can be awfully tempting, especially if you’re looking for a deal.

But before you start mentally spending all the money you could save, it pays to know exactly what you could be getting into.

If you’ve ever considered buying a foreclosure, this is a good primer on what to look for before deciding whether the potential bargain is worth pursuing.

While the opportunities to make money on foreclosed properties may be enticing, it’s crucial to know the risks and challenges before jumping in. Take a look. Someone’s loss, another’s gain. Foreclosures occur when owners can no longer make payments on their homes or can’t sell them to pay of...

08/31/2026

It’s your house. It’s your property. So you can do whatever you want with it...right?

Well, not always.

Owning a home comes with certain property rights, but it can also come with restrictions, legal claims and rights that belong to others. Understanding some of the terminology you may encounter can help you know exactly what you own and what that ownership allows.

Here are a few terms worth knowing now that you have a place to call your own.

When you buy a home you may expect that you have complete freedom to do what you want with the property, that’s likely not the case. You will probably discover an encumbrance, or limitation, legally imposed upon you regarding its use. In other words, an encumbrance is any claim or interest held by...

08/30/2026

Owning a home comes with plenty of things you learn along the way, and electrical safety is one of the important ones.

You probably don’t give much thought to your outlets, power strips or circuit breakers when everything is working as it should. But knowing what to watch for and which everyday habits could create a safety risk is part of taking good care of your home.

These electrical safety reminders are worth a few minutes of your time.

Electricity powers much of our modern lives but is a potentially dangerous resource that must be used properly to avoid danger.

08/29/2026

There are always lots of questions when you’re buying or refinancing a home. And when you have one, it’s nice to know there’s an actual person on the other end who knows your name, understands your loan and is ready to help.

No bots. No automated runaround. Just real people helping real people with home financing.

Thinking about buying or refinancing? Contact me. Bring your questions. That’s what I’m here for.

Consumer Access: NMLSConsumerAccess.org

08/28/2026

One of the joys of having a home of your own? You also get to own every speck of dust that settles in it. 😄

If it feels like you just finished dusting and there’s already a brand-new layer waiting for you, you’re definitely not alone. A few simple habits can help keep dust and pollen under control and make keeping your home clean a little easier.

Here are some tips worth adding to your homeowner routine.

How can you enjoy warm weather without dust and pollen taking over your home? Here’s what you need to know.