The 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.
Read MoreWith so many buyers vying for the same property, it’s important to write the best offer right up front. Here are 5 tips to help you write a strong offer.
Read MoreMany times, sellers make quick decisions and hope for the best, even as home prices continue to climb.
This is where a kick-out clause can help.
A kick-out clause allows a seller to continue to market the home for sale after accepting a buyer’s offer with contingencies. It also outlines the conditions under which a seller can cancel, or kick-out, the contract if they get a better offer.
Read MoreWhile certainly it’s important to find an agent you can communicate with, the right agent brings more than a pleasant demeanor to the transaction and it’s critical to choose the right one.
Read MoreOne of the most important financial considerations of buying a new home is the interest rate paid on the mortgage.
Read MoreCouples dream of buying a home together, leisurely enjoying a latte while dropping by open houses to look at remodeled kitchens and manicured backyards. Today’s market is quite different. Desirable homes are snapped up the moment they hit the market, often with multiple offers. Homebuyers in this climate must move quickly. This may require jumping on an opportunity without both partners adding their input.
Read MoreAs the world emerges from the pandemic era and begins to look for a new normal, we’ve all changed the way we look at homeownership and lifestyle. More and more, families are forgoing exotic vacations and using the savings to enhance their home for staycations. In addition to the home improvement boom, the second home market has also exploded. Owning a second home was once a privilege for the rich and famous, but now even those with a modest income can purchase a second home.
Read MoreOne of the most common reasons for a home sale to fall through is the presence of property liens. Often the sellers are not even aware they have a lien on their home and the delay caused by having them removed can cause a qualified buyer to look elsewhere.
Read MoreWhen you first list your home for sale, the goal is to see an offer or two from a highly qualified buyer quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes days and weeks go by without much interest. When this happens, it may be time to reevaluate the listing and cancel the listing. Here are 6 signs that it’s time to take your house off the market.
Read MoreEach year, home renters face the question of whether to renew their lease for another year or determine it is time to buy a home of their own. Over the past couple of years, the US housing market has changed dramatically as home values have soared and interest rates have remained low. So, if you are still renting your home, it might be time to buy instead.
Read MoreAny kind of construction project is loud and dirty. For homeowners starting their project, they have the anticipation of the finished product to look forward to. But what if the project isn’t your own but your neighbor’s? You have all the hassle with none of the excitement of the result. Having construction going on next door is never fun, but you can mitigate the negative aspects by following a few tips.
Read MoreIf you’re planning to buy a new home, you may be wondering about the down payment. Loan programs require down payments as low as 3.5% for FHA loans and conventional offers as low as 5%. While you have a lot of options, there are 4 strong benefits to making a 20% down payment on your home.
Read MoreThe winter season has traditionally been a slower time for home sales. The guidance in the past has been to wait for the warmer months of spring before listing. However, the current real estate market has created a strong seller’s market and if you’re considering a move, it may be better to sell now rather than risk a slowdown if interest rates rise in the coming months.
Read MoreMore than one seller has been surprised to find that their favorite chandelier is not theirs to take when they move. First-time home sellers might be especially confused when confronted with an exclusion form presented by their agent, but understanding what is, and is not included in the sale by statute is important to avoid disappointment on both sides.
Read MoreFirst-time homebuyers are struggling to find affordable housing. Unlike recent years when inventory was high and finding a great home was easier, now buyers are faced with either postponing homeownership or making compromises.
Read MoreBuying a home is a process. Once a buyer writes an offer and has it accepted, the listing is placed in a state called “pending sale.”
Read MoreAs you prepare for retirement, it’s natural to consider ways to reduce your housing costs. Fortunately, there are some great ways to enhance your lifestyle while reducing costs.
Read MoreBefore meeting with your real estate agent, consider the specifics of what you need. For example, when explaining that you need more space, be specific about what that means. What does “space” mean to you?
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