Articles and Resources

Jennifer’s Lemon Pound Cake

Bright and buttery – the perfect anytime delight

8 Simple Steps to Prepare your Garden for Spring

Planting is easy with the right plan.

10 Tips To Get Your Home Ready for Spring

From gutters to your garden, feel fresh on March 19.

If You Could Fly, Would You?

Consider your untapped talents.

Jessie’s Banana Pudding

Say yes to this sweet, simple, no-bake dessert.

Anthony’s Favorite Hot Chocolate Recipe

Indulgent. Rich. Delicious.

The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose

My one word for 2024 is purpose. What’s yours?

Our 7 Favorite Personal Interior Design Trends

Make your home your own in 2024.

21 Tips for a Positive New Year

Start 2024 off right – every day

Marisa’s Chicken Soup

The perfect way to feel above the weather.

5 Interior Design Trends That Will Take Over 2024

Bring new aesthetics into your home in the new year.

Jessie’s Sugar Cookie Latte

A red cup favorite you can make at home!

A New Focus

Make the holidays a time to celebrate the past and present – not to think about what’s to come.

Seasonal Bottle Brush Tree Décor

Craft this simple piece of beauty in just a few minutes.

11 Ways to Elevate Your Thanksgiving Table

Find inspiration for colors, centerpieces, and décor.

Alyssa’s Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Two easy ways to make perfect potatoes.

In The End, It’s All That Really Matters

As we approach the holidays, a season centered around creating memories, I encourage everyone to embrace the moment more so than ever.

Halloween Crafts

Make your own standalone ghosts.

Kelsey’s Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

Put an October twist on a year-round favorite.

Letter of the Heart

Cancer has been the worst – and best – thing that’s ever happened to me.

7 Ways to Decorate with an Autumn Palette

Start a new season with the colors of fall.

Nick Montani’s Chicken and Dumplings

The perfect one-pot meal for the start of Fall.

The Power of a Positive Educator

Regardless of your profession, we can all be positive educators and help inspire the young minds in our lives.

Alyssa's Burrata Salad

Let the cheese shine in this summer delight.

12 things to do in New York City this August

Mark your calendar for summer fun!

Struggle Leads To Strength

My struggle with words led to my strength to say it.

4 Fun Themes for Your Summer BBQs

Make lasting memories with these hot ideas

Coming Home

Don’t let the craziness of life take away time with your family, because at the end of the day, that’s what’s most important!

Jessie’s Macaroni Salad

Enjoy a simple summer delight

Purpose-Driven Goals

A letter of the heart by Jon Gordon.

Anthony’s Shrimp and Basil Stir Fry

Fresh basil is the star of this easy, spicy, summer evening dish.

Beginning Today

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday.

11 Ways to Add Color to Your Porch or Patio

Brighten up your outdoor space for the summer.

Marisa’s Blackberry Glazed Chicken

Sweet and savory – the perfect summer grill combo!

8 Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Spring

Help your yard blossom as the cold goes away

Zack’s Birria Tacos

Tender, succulent, crispy, and full of flavor

Kelsey’s Irish Soda Bread

Four ingredients, one bowl, and a whole lot of goodness.

Spring Home Décor Trends

7 ways to breathe new life into your home.

Tissue Paper Flower Valentine’s Day Wreath

Whether you’re throwing a party or want a beautiful piece of holiday décor, this Valentine’s Day wreath is easier than it looks and will come out better than your heart could.

Valentine Cake Pops – Yum!

Share a lovely treat with those close to your heart.

Perspective

Use the lessons of 2022 to create new beginnings and perspectives.

The Montani Family’s Tomato Soup

Served with a Parmesan crostini for winter delight.

10 Ways to Ring in the New Year

Enjoy some of our team’s favorite traditions and superstition.

A New Focus

Make the holidays a time to celebrate the past and present – not to think about what’s to come

Kelsey’s Pull-Apart Tree Bread

Make a savory treat for one of our sweetest holidays

Build Your Own Fabric Snowman

Bring winter feels inside with this fun craft!

10 Thanksgiving Table Settings to Impress Your Family

Make your design skills the talk of the holiday

Montani’s Best-Ever Turkey Brine

Take Thanksgiving turkey to the next level with my family’s simple solution

In The End, It’s All That Really Matters

As we approach the holidays, a season centered around creating memories, I encourage everyone to embrace the moment more so than ever.

Alyssa’s Halloween Spaghetti

Enjoy a spooktacular dinner with your family this All Hallows’ Eve!

Get Spooky with DIY Spider Wreaths

Make fun and frights with this easy Halloween craft

Cancer Has Been the Worst – and Best – Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me

How is it that a disease that causes so much pain and suffering can be good in any way, let alone the best thing that’s ever happened to you?

Rule #76: No Excuses. Play Like a Champion.

The joy and happiness I experienced on my wedding day is not something that should just happen once. I should be able to have days and experiences like that all the time!

8 Fall Home Styling Trends for Your Home

Bring the colors and designs of autumn inside this September.

Kelsey’s Butternut Squash Gnocchi

Bring the warm flavors of Fall into your home with this easy gluten-free, vegan gnocchi.

10 Ways to Keep Cool and Save Cucumbers

Help your family beat the summer heat without hurting the environment.

Montani’s Simple Grilled Pizza

Make your favorite delicious, crispy, chewy pizza from the comfort of your backyard!

Summer

As we approach the end of summer, many of us feel it’s time to get back to “normal.” At Team Montani, we reject the notion that the end of summer means the end of summer fun.

Mary Ann’s Red, White, and Blue Pie

This month, show your national pride – and sweet tooth – with a delicious red, white, and blueberry-filled pie!

Eight Gardening Tips to Make Your Summer Bloom

To help keep your plants, flowers, and crops looking spectacular, here are our team's tips and tricks.

10 Ways to Create the Ultimate Backyard Space

June is here, bringing the warm weather and watermelon needed for backyard parties! But before you send out invites, ask yourself: can I spruce up my space?

Myah’s Fresh Strawberry Pie

What says summer like strawberry pie? This delicious recipe is perfect for 4th of July celebrations, picnic parties – or just indulging in a cool, sweet treat on a sunny day!

8 Thoughtful Activities for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of America’s fallen Service Members. No matter where you spend your time, here are eight ways to honor our heroes.

Good Things Coming

To say the world has been turned upside down may be the biggest understatement of the year. So, what do you do to stay focused on the fact that “Good Things are Coming?”

12 To-Dos for the First Month of Spring

From quick jobs to professional maintenance, get ready for warmer weather with this checklist.

Jessie’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Find out how Jessie makes her delicious chocolate chip cookies.

Why Not Today?

We’re two months into a new year, a clean plate, and a fresh start – but what if you haven’t done anything related to your New Year’s resolutions yet?

Mini Liqueur Cheesecakes Recipe

Creamy. Chocolatey. Miniature-sized. Everything we love out of dessert! Try these special snacks and you’ll be hooked, too.

Six Tips for Easy Spring Cleaning

Flowers are in bloom, the days are longer, and warm weather is welcoming spring cleaning. These six tips will help you fly through tasks quicker than the hummingbird outside your door.

Sweet Beet Cookies Recipe

Learn how to make one of Larry's favorite desserts!

Stay Stylish With These Home Decor Trends

Furniture, paint, and other interior accessories help make houses feel like home. While your living space reflects you, new fads can introduce exciting ideas.

Letter from the Heart

Do you ever wake up in the morning and feel like you are being pulled in a million different directions?

5 Things You Can Declutter Before Christmas

Grab some boxes for garbage and donations, turn on a good CrossCountry Mortgage playlist on Spotify, and go to town on these 6 areas where you can declutter your home and life before Christmas!

Mrs. Montani’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe

This delicious Pumpkin Bread recipe has been in the Montani family for generations. We hope you try it with your families this holiday season!

Smart Budgeting for First-Time Homebuyers

Get in touch with someone who can guide you for your first home purchase.

When Your Home Is Your Office… Make a Workplace that Works.

Companies are becoming more open to the idea of working from home. With this in mind, it’s time to create a home office where you can concentrate and do your best work.

5 Do's & Dont's of Fall Decorating

Learn about 5 Do's & Don'ts when it comes to decorating this Fall!

The Best Activities To Do In Fall

Although Fall brings the cooler weather, there’s something about it that just warms up the heart like no other. Here are Team Montani’s favorite activities to do in the Fall.

Demystifying The Homebuying Process

Did you know that there are 48 individual steps to buying a home? No wonder so many potential buyers can find the process a little intimidating – even if they’ve done it before.

The Essential Supplies Teachers Need Going Back to School

This year, Team Montani donated to area school teachers. We’ve compiled a list of essential supplies for students to be successful.

The Benefits of Working with a Real-Life Mortgage Loan Officer

When you physically work with a loan officer, you’ll get a truly personalized lending experience. Learn how an actual interaction with a mortgage professional may be able to offer even more.

Primary residence or vacation home? It’s a matter of interest!

Know the difference before you buy.

Ladies of Team Montani’s Summer Essentials

The ladies of Team Montani have put together a list of our seasonal essentials (and guilty pleasures) to help everyone get through the summer.

Backyard Games for Family Fun This Summer!

Summer is here, which means it’s time to enjoy the outdoors. Here are some of Team Montani’s favorite games to play in the yard with family and friends!

The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Homebuying

With a little savvy, and sound financial management, you can purchase a home — and make it a smooth, worry-free process — despite your student debt.

Tackle These Organizing Hacks

Because extra storage space is everything!

4 Quick Tips for Improving Your Credit Score

Make yours stronger and keep it that way!

6 Home Decor Trends for 2021

Over the past year, many of us found we wanted to live in a more comfortable, stylish place. Even small changes can make a big impact, so let’s look at what’s trending so far in 2021.

Debunking 6 Mortgage Myths

Not everyone may realize that many of the commonly known “facts” aren’t facts at all! Let’s debunk six of the most common mortgage myths to give you the confidence to proceed.

Join Our Donation Drive to Support St. Jude Children’s Hospital!

Team Montani is raising funds to support St. Jude’s mission of finding cures for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. We need your help to reach our fundraising goal!

Winning the Homebuying Game in a Seller’s Market

Give yourself the competitive edge you need to buy the home you want—before someone else does.

2 Questions to Ask When Refinancing a Mortgage

The decision to refinance usually leads back to achieving your life goals. We can give you all the information you need, and the answers to two questions that will influence your final choice.

Easy Ways To Help Your Local Food Bank

From donations to brand awareness, we have outlined a few ways for you to be part of the solution — even after the holiday season.

Happiness is A Choice

You don’t have to forgo happiness until you lose weight, break an unhealthy habit, or accomplish all your goals. Happiness is your choice!

Season of Gratitude

Gratitude helps us feel satisfied with what we have rather than chasing falsehood that don't bring us joy. Here are a few ways to shift your focus toward gratitude and happiness in the year to come.

Perspective Letter

Most of us are probably thankful to see 2020 come to an end. But we can certainly use the lessons we learned during that tumultuous year to create new beginnings and new perspectives going forward.

January Book of the Month

This month, we’ve been enjoying Jon Gordon’s One Word book and wanted to share with you a few of our favorite ways to help you pick your one word for 2021.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

It’s safe to say 2020 turned out to be drastically different than anyone expected, and if I learned anything, it’s that embracing the changes thrown in front of us has provided many positive results.

Our Holiday Music Recommendations

Can we talk about our favorite holiday albums? There are a bunch more that we love, but we narrowed down our list to 20 that are on repeat constantly throughout the season.

How to Maintain a Perfect Garden

Jon Gordon's book, The Garden teaches us how to overcome Doubt, Distortion, Discouragement, Distractions, and Division to find more peace, focus, connection, and happiness.

The Easiest Ways to Help Your Local Food Bank

There are many ways to enhance the value of your dollar while being proactive in relief efforts that fight hunger in your community. We have outlined a few ways for you to be part of the solution.

Make It a “No-Spend November"

We’ll dive into a few simple ways that No-Spend November can help you achieve your financial goals this year.

Cancer Has Been The Worst…and Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

I have no doubt that the title of this article is probably very confusing to most of you reading this. 

"Good Things Coming"

So, what do you do to stay focused on the fact that “Good Things Are Coming”? The answer lies in keeping faithful in the prospect of what will be versus what has been.

5 Things to Stop Buying

Taking small steps is the easiest way to work toward a minimalist lifestyle. Here's a list of 5 items you can quit buying now to start!

Prepare for Fall with These 7 Suggestions

The autumn months are quickly approaching. What better time to get ready for them than now?

Family First, Everything Else Second!

Family is not determined by blood, but by bonds that are based in love, trust, and genuine care for each other! Remember that none of your success matters if you don’t have a family to share it with.

4 Ways to Make Your Home Cozier

Many of us are spending more time at home, whether we’re working or participating in our own hobbies. Consider these tips when you’re setting out to increase the cozy quotient of your abode!

Perspective

When you get upset, ask yourself is it worth it? After the year we have experienced, I don’t think there is a more important question to ask, and to remember to always keep perspective.

Book of the Month: The No Complaining Rule by Jon Gordon

This month we've been enjoying Jon Gordon's The No Complaining Rule book and wanted to share with you a few of our favorite ways to remain positive when faced with negativity.

6 Home Trends for Millennial Homebuyers

So, what exactly are millennials looking for during their property search and what’s popular nowadays? Check out our list of millennial homebuying trends!

5 Actionable Steps to Overcome Negative Thinking

The last four months have brought times of challenge and adversity. Take a moment to look around, and you'll find there are more positives than you ever imagined.

Debunking 6 Mortgage Myths

There are many other misunderstandings about applying for a mortgage and becoming a homeowner. Arm yourself with some correct information as we debunk some common mortgage myths.

Why Refi? The Benefits of Refinancing Your Mortgage

Whether you want to change your term, interest rate or type of loan, you may be able to benefit greatly in the long run by refinancing.

New Beginnings

How do you stay the course and remain optimistic when confronted with today’s reality? The answer is simple. You must live without excuses.

Get Your Spring Cleaning On with These Pro Tips

It might seem like there’s a lot to do. The key to getting it all done is dedicating a day or part of a day to each room, instead of tackling it all at once!

Host a Home Tour – Virtually!

With a virtual open house, you can still set up the property, show people around the home, and schedule it whenever you want. Let’s see how you can get started with your own virtual tours!

9 Productive Things to Do Instead of Complaining

During this chaotic time, it may seem easier to let in stress and negativity. Instead, use this time to reflect on the postivity that we can bring forth into our communities and into the world.

Making Your Home Office Work For You

Working from home may be new to you, but it doesn't mean you have to be less productive!

Rates Stay Near All-Time Lows

What do low rates mean for you? If you own or in the market for a home, it is a great time to refinance or buy with the current low rates!

Happiness is a Choice

You don't have to wait for everything to be perfect in your family or with your business to be happy. You can choose to be happy and enjoy your life today. Happiness is your choice!

Applying for a Mortgage: More Than Just Rate Shopping

There's a lot more to a mortgage than just rates. A truly knowledgeable mortgage professional brings a lot more to the process to help you see your mortgage options through a "big picture" lens.

Demystifying the Homebuying Process

The homebuying process can seem intimidating, but there’s no better time to explore the benefits of homeownership than now. The best place to start is with a little education.

The Benefits of Buying Over Renting

There are pros and cons for both renting and buying a home. It depends on location, budget and which best fits your personal goals!

12 Things Not to Do When Obtaining a Mortgage Loan

Buying or refinancing your home does not have to be scary or intimidating. With these tips, you will be ensured a smooth and efficient mortgage process.

Perspective Letter

2019 has come to an end, but we can take the lessons into 2020 to create new beginnings and new perspectives.

The Benefits of Working With a Real-Life Mortgage Loan Officer

Online lending is on the rise because of its convenience, but actual interaction with a mortgage professional may be able to offer even more.

The Essential First-Time Homebuyer Tips for Success

Before you take the leap into the mortgage process, equip yourself with this important information first!

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