When touring a beautifully staged home, it's easy to admire both the layout and the furnishings. While certain furniture like sectional sofas may seem perfect for the space, they typically don't stay with the home once sold. However, the inclusion of other items in the sale might not be so clear-cut. Find out what’s included in this blog post.
Read MoreSelling a home can be an intricate dance of negotiations, paperwork, and emotions. Many homeowners embark on this journey with the notion that they can handle it solo, only to find themselves overwhelmed and possibly at a disadvantage. The truth is, that the most successful home sales often involve a key player: the listing agent.
Read MoreRecent news headlines have shed light on discussions surrounding real estate agents and their commissions, which might leave you feeling confused. However, one crucial point remains: the invaluable guidance provided by a reputable real estate agent is indispensable, particularly in today's dynamic market landscape.
Read MoreRetirement marks a significant milestone in one's life—a time to bid farewell to the daily grind and embrace newfound freedom. For many, it's an opportunity to reassess priorities, simplify life, and embark on new adventures. One such transformative decision that retirees often contemplate is downsizing their home. While the prospect of leaving behind the family home may evoke emotions ranging from nostalgia to apprehension, the benefits of downsizing can profoundly enhance the retirement lifestyle.
Read MoreSelling a home can be one of the most stressful processes one may experience, but when a divorce is added to the mix, it can feel impossible. It's an emotionally charged time for everyone involved, which can lead to making the wrong decisions during the sale. However, with the right support and guidance, this challenging process can be managed. In addition to finding a knowledgeable and empathetic real estate agent, here are some tips to help navigate the sale of a home during a divorce:
Read MoreAre you gearing up for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move? Whether you're a military service member, a government employee, or relocating for any other reason, a PCS move can be both exciting and stressful. From organizing paperwork to packing up your belongings, there are numerous tasks to manage. To help streamline the process and ensure a smooth transition, here's a comprehensive guide on how to navigate a PCS move.
Read MoreNavigating the world of home buying can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding different mortgage options. Among the various choices, FHA loans stand out as a popular and accessible option for many first-time homebuyers.
Read MoreIf you’re preparing your home to sell, you already know that it’s important to declutter. A clean, tidy space allows potential buyers to see the beauty of your home and to imagine themselves living there. But there is a fine line between decluttering and denuding – removing too much can leave your home looking cold and uninviting. Learn the difference and make sure your buyers feel “at home” in your property.
Read MoreOur pets are an important part of our family. No longer are our pups relegated to the backyard dog-run or our birds stuck in their cages. Our animals are cherished members of the household and love to be where we are. As a result, our homes must provide the comfort and safety needed to care for our animals.
Read MoreWhen buying or selling a home, often misunderstandings occur over the distinction between “real” and “personal” property. Real estate agents across the nation frequently end up playing referee in situations fueled by misconceptions, which can create tension and sometimes even kill a sale. Understanding the difference is important to anyone engaged in a real estate transaction.
Read MoreThere is nothing more frustrating for a seller than to watch houses around them sell like hotcakes while theirs lingers on the market. Finally, when the listing expires, they find themselves asking why. Why didn’t my house sell? In a robust housing market like we’ve had the past few years, the good news is there are some common reasons why a home doesn’t sell. If you find yourself in this position, ask yourself these questions, and then correct them and re-list them.
Read MoreBuyers and sellers are feeling the uncertainty in the housing market. With rising interest rates and a slower selling pace, it may seem overwhelming. If you are planning to both sell your home and buy a new one, the current environment may be even more frustrating. Where do you start? Sell first? Buy first? The good news is with the right strategy, you can take the risk out of this kind of move by working with your agent and utilizing contingencies.
Read MoreThe real estate market has changed over the past year. One of the biggest issues facing anyone considering a home purchase or sale is rising interest rates. After enjoying years of mortgage rates in the 2-3% range, many borrowers are shocked to see a conventional 30-year fixed loan offering rates as high as 7 percent. While historically reasonable, this increase is having an impact on the real estate market. If you are considering a move, it’s important to remember that your lifestyle still needs to take precedence over these temporary changes.
Read MoreMost people know that choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important aspects of a great lifestyle. When buying a new home, this becomes even more important. While everyone knows that property values, safety, schools, and commute rank high in importance, there are some considerations that are not commonly thought about in advance yet make a huge impact on satisfaction.
Read MoreOne of the most common questions from home sellers is, “do I really need to put my family pictures away”? The short answer is “yes,” but maybe not for the reasons you assume. The general principle is that buyers need to be able to visualize their own lives in the home in order to buy the house. There is nothing new about this, but in this complicated age of security challenges, there are also safety reasons to remove your items before showings.
Read MoreThe real estate market is shifting. In some areas of the country, it has flipped to a strong buyer’s market. Sellers challenged by this change are looking for creative ways to attract buyers. In addition, buyers suddenly in the driver’s seat are asking for more concessions from sellers than ever before.
Seller concessions are a useful tool in real estate. Used correctly, it can benefit both buyer and seller.
Read MoreOne of the best things a homebuyer can hear is, “we have ‘clear to close.’” It’s one of the biggest milestones in the mortgage lending process and means the underwriter has cleared the application to move forward to document signing and close of escrow. While a critical stage for the sale, this is not the final step in closing on a new home. There are several things that can still affect the transfer of title.
Read MoreThe most important aspect of listing your home for sale is the asking price. Unlike many other items we purchase, home prices are based on what a willing and able buyer would pay for the property. Sounds complicated, right? This is why real estate agents bring comps (short for comparable properties) information with them to the discussion. Yet are you using the right comps to successfully sell your home?
Read MoreSince the beginning of the year, the US economy has been cooling off. After several years of strong growth, rising inflation and energy costs are affecting US households in ways not seen since the 1970s. For those who are actively involved in the buying or selling of real estate, there is confusion and fear about how the economic slowdown will affect their options.
Read MoreBuying a new home is exciting and confusing. There are a lot of steps to buying a home, and people have questions. These are the most common questions home buyers have, and the answers.
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