New Year, New Home: How To Make It Happen in 2025-This is the time when a lot of people take a moment to reflect and set their goals for this year. And as you picture what you want your 2025 to look like, one thing that may pop into your mind is the vision of you in a new home. But how do you get there? And where do you start looking? Here’s some advice that can help you get the ball rolling. Focus on Your Why for a New Home To lay the foundation, you need to focus on your why. While the dollars and cents are important, so is the driving force behind your desire to move. Maybe you need more space for a growing family, want to sell so you can downsize, or are finally ready to buy your first home. Whatever your reason, it’s important to keep it front and center. Your why is what helps you stay focused. Share your motivation with your agent and they’ll use their expertise to help support that goal, no matter what the market looks like. With a great agent by your side, you’ll have someone to guide you, problem-solve, and keep you moving forward until you can check that goal off your to-do list. Get Clear on What You Need for a New Home Then it’s time to figure out what your next home needs to have. How many bedrooms do you need? If you don’t have a designated home office, is that a deal-breaker? What about a big fenced-in backyard? Knowing your must-haves and… Continue Reading
Value of Your Home – Getting an Accurate Number-In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true value of your home. Before you toss a for sale sign in your yard and expect to bring in the number you saw for your house online, you need to understand why these tools generally aren’t spot-on and why working with an expert real estate agent is the best way to get an accurate picture of what your house is really worth. The Myth: Online Home Value Estimates Are Accurate Online home valuation tools give you an approximate value for your house based on the data that’s publicly available for your home. While this can give you a rough starting point, the keyword here is rough. As an article from Ramsey Solutions says: “Online Home Value Estimators Aren’t 100% Accurate . . . The estimates are only as reliable as the amount of public record data the real estate websites can access. The less data gathered for your particular neighborhood, county and state, the less you can depend on this number.” The Reality: Online Estimates Miss Key Factors on the Value of Your Home Here’s the biggest issue with online estimates: they don’t take into account the unique aspects of your home or your local market. And that’s why an agent’s expertise can make such a difference when figuring out what your house is really worth.… Continue Reading
Using a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your House-In a recent survey, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked sellers what they want most from a Real Estate Agent. Surprisingly, the number one answer was to help market their house. It makes sense. The way your agent markets your house can make it stand out and get more attention from buyers. That’s why it’s so important to work with an expert local agent who knows what they're doing. According to that same report from NAR, here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes. And how you benefit when your agent uses them effectively (see graph below): Top Methods Real Estate Agents Use Listing on the MLS – Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. Having your house on the MLS helps it get more visibility from other agents and buyers. And the more people who see it, the more likely it is to sell. Yard Sign – A yard sign is one of the best ways to catch the attention of people driving or walking by. Additionally, they may spread the word to friends and family who are looking to buy. Putting your agent’s contact information on display also makes it easy for interested buyers to get in touch. Open House – An open house is a great way to create a sense of competition and urgency among buyers. And since you’ll only need to leave once for many buyers to visit, it makes the process easier for you, too. It also helps your agent get real-time… Continue Reading
What are the Perks of Buying a Fixer-Upper?-There’s no denying affordability is tough right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans to buy a home on the back burner. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide if this is the right move for you. What’s a Fixer-Upper? A fixer-upper is a home that’s livable but requires some renovations. Think cosmetic updates like wallpaper removal and new flooring or more extensive repairs like replacing a roof or updating plumbing. While fixer-uppers need a little TLC, here’s why they may be worth considering, especially right now: They Usually Have a Lower Price Point. Because of the repairs involved, these homes are usually less expensive up front than move-in-ready options. According to a survey from StorageCafe, fixer-uppers come with price tags that are about 29% lower. This makes them a solid choice if you’re having trouble finding anything in your budget. Less Competition. When you’re ready to make an offer, you’re less likely to deal with competition from other buyers who are focused on move-in-ready homes. Build Equity Faster. From choosing how to redo the floors to picking which cabinets you want in the kitchen, a fixer-upper allows you to design a space that fits your needs and style. And with smart renovations, you can increase your home’s value faster and potentially see a big return on your investment. As The Mortgage Reports… Continue Reading
Is the Housing Market Starting To Balance Out?-Is the Housing Market Starting To Balance Out? For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people who wanted to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition just to get an offer accepted. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas. So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know. What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market? It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. That’s what ultimately determines who has the most leverage. A Seller’s Market is when there are more buyers than homes available, so sellers hold the power. This leads to rising prices, multiple offers, and homes selling quickly – often above the asking price – because there isn’t enough to go around. A Buyer’s Market is when there are more homes than buyers. In this case, the tables turn. Sellers may have to offer concessions and incentives, or negotiate more to get a deal done. That’s because buyers have more choices and can take their time making decisions. You can see this play out over time using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the graph below: Where the Market Stands Now While it’s still a seller’s market in many places, buyers in certain locations have more leverage… Continue Reading
New Year, New Home: How To Make It Happen in 2025 - This is the time when a lot of people take a moment to reflect and set their goals for this year. And as you picture what you want your 2025 to look like, one thing that may pop into your mind is the vision of you in a new home. But how do you get there? And where do you start looking? Here’s some advice that can help you get the ball rolling. Focus on Your Why for a New Home To lay the foundation, you need to focus on your why. While the dollars and cents are important, so is the driving force behind your desire to move. Maybe you need more space for a growing family, want to sell so you can downsize, or are finally ready to buy your first home. Whatever your reason, it’s important to keep it front and center. Your why is what helps you stay focused. Share your motivation with your agent and they’ll use their expertise to help support that goal, no matter what the market looks like. With a great agent by your side, you’ll have someone to guide you, problem-solve, and keep you moving forward until you can check that goal off your to-do list. Get Clear on What You Need for a New Home Then it’s time to figure out what your next home needs to have. How many bedrooms do you need? If you don’t have a designated home office, is that a deal-breaker? What about a big fenced-in backyard? Knowing your must-haves and… Continue Reading
Value of Your Home – Getting an Accurate Number - In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true value of your home. Before you toss a for sale sign in your yard and expect to bring in the number you saw for your house online, you need to understand why these tools generally aren’t spot-on and why working with an expert real estate agent is the best way to get an accurate picture of what your house is really worth. The Myth: Online Home Value Estimates Are Accurate Online home valuation tools give you an approximate value for your house based on the data that’s publicly available for your home. While this can give you a rough starting point, the keyword here is rough. As an article from Ramsey Solutions says: “Online Home Value Estimators Aren’t 100% Accurate . . . The estimates are only as reliable as the amount of public record data the real estate websites can access. The less data gathered for your particular neighborhood, county and state, the less you can depend on this number.” The Reality: Online Estimates Miss Key Factors on the Value of Your Home Here’s the biggest issue with online estimates: they don’t take into account the unique aspects of your home or your local market. And that’s why an agent’s expertise can make such a difference when figuring out what your house is really worth.… Continue Reading
Using a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your House - In a recent survey, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked sellers what they want most from a Real Estate Agent. Surprisingly, the number one answer was to help market their house. It makes sense. The way your agent markets your house can make it stand out and get more attention from buyers. That’s why it’s so important to work with an expert local agent who knows what they're doing. According to that same report from NAR, here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes. And how you benefit when your agent uses them effectively (see graph below): Top Methods Real Estate Agents Use Listing on the MLS – Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. Having your house on the MLS helps it get more visibility from other agents and buyers. And the more people who see it, the more likely it is to sell. Yard Sign – A yard sign is one of the best ways to catch the attention of people driving or walking by. Additionally, they may spread the word to friends and family who are looking to buy. Putting your agent’s contact information on display also makes it easy for interested buyers to get in touch. Open House – An open house is a great way to create a sense of competition and urgency among buyers. And since you’ll only need to leave once for many buyers to visit, it makes the process easier for you, too. It also helps your agent get real-time… Continue Reading
What are the Perks of Buying a Fixer-Upper? - There’s no denying affordability is tough right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans to buy a home on the back burner. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide if this is the right move for you. What’s a Fixer-Upper? A fixer-upper is a home that’s livable but requires some renovations. Think cosmetic updates like wallpaper removal and new flooring or more extensive repairs like replacing a roof or updating plumbing. While fixer-uppers need a little TLC, here’s why they may be worth considering, especially right now: They Usually Have a Lower Price Point. Because of the repairs involved, these homes are usually less expensive up front than move-in-ready options. According to a survey from StorageCafe, fixer-uppers come with price tags that are about 29% lower. This makes them a solid choice if you’re having trouble finding anything in your budget. Less Competition. When you’re ready to make an offer, you’re less likely to deal with competition from other buyers who are focused on move-in-ready homes. Build Equity Faster. From choosing how to redo the floors to picking which cabinets you want in the kitchen, a fixer-upper allows you to design a space that fits your needs and style. And with smart renovations, you can increase your home’s value faster and potentially see a big return on your investment. As The Mortgage Reports… Continue Reading
Is the Housing Market Starting To Balance Out? - Is the Housing Market Starting To Balance Out? For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people who wanted to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition just to get an offer accepted. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas. So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know. What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market? It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. That’s what ultimately determines who has the most leverage. A Seller’s Market is when there are more buyers than homes available, so sellers hold the power. This leads to rising prices, multiple offers, and homes selling quickly – often above the asking price – because there isn’t enough to go around. A Buyer’s Market is when there are more homes than buyers. In this case, the tables turn. Sellers may have to offer concessions and incentives, or negotiate more to get a deal done. That’s because buyers have more choices and can take their time making decisions. You can see this play out over time using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the graph below: Where the Market Stands Now While it’s still a seller’s market in many places, buyers in certain locations have more leverage… Continue Reading