There’s nothing like the moment when you’ve found your dream home. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and make moves to finalize everything as quickly as possible. And while timeliness is important, it can lead to mistakes that end up costing you thousands. Here are the four biggest mistakes people make when securing a mortgage loan. Mistake #1—Not Shopping Around for Mortgage Offers It’s tempting to go with the first mortgage offer […]
Read More
The past few years have been tough for buyers. And if you think back to before the pandemic, you’ll likely remember hearing that spring was always the ideal time to buy a home. After all, that’s when the majority of homeowners list their homes for sale, and more homes on the market means more options for buyers. This fall, however, marketing conditions are aligning in favor of homebuyers in many markets, creating a unique window […]
Read More
Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about what’s next for home prices, especially with 2024 shifting gears in some markets. But what about the future of the market? Listen, no one has a crystal ball, but experts have released early predictions for home prices in 2025. Let’s dive in. The Big Picture: National Home Price Predictions for 2025 It’s hard to believe 2024 is more than halfway over! Looking ahead to 2025, experts predict […]
Read More
Thinking about sprucing up your home? Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just want to enhance your living space, remodeling can be a great investment. But not all projects offer the same return—especially since home repair costs have risen 40% since 2019. We know remodeling costs today can be disheartening, but the experts at Zonda, a housing market research firm, just released their 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, and it’s packed with insights to […]
Read More
For most homeowners, selling a home feels less like a straightforward transaction and more like taking on a second job. A job that doesn’t just demand your money but also your most precious resource: time. In fact, according to recent data, selling a home can consume over a third of your waking hours, turning your life upside down. So, if you’re wondering how to sell a home without sacrificing your personal time (or sanity), keep […]
Read More
When it comes to selling your home, making a great first impression is crucial. But what if you don’t have the budget for a major renovation? Luckily, new data from Zillow and Thumbtack reveal that you don’t need to break the bank to boost your home’s appeal. “Certain low-lift projects can deliver a high payoff because they elevate a home in the mind of a buyer,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. Here are […]
Read More
Buying a home is a major milestone, but it’s not always the right time for everyone. It’s important to remember that a home purchase is a long-term investment, and making this decision without proper financial planning can lead to significant stress. For more insights on the long-term benefits of real estate investment, check out our last blog. The truth is, knowing when not to buy a home is just as crucial as knowing when to […]
Read More
The 2020s housing market continues to defy expectations. National home prices have surged over the past four years, surpassing growth experienced in entire previous decades. This rapid climb has many wondering – is this a sustainable trend, or are we due for a correction? Today, we are diving into the historical data and exploring what this means for you. 2020s Home Price Growth: Surpassing Expectations National home price growth in the early 2020s has already […]
Read More
Let’s get real. Do you have to use a real estate agent when buying or selling a home? The answer, of course, is no. You can absolutely go it alone, and there are people who opt to do so every year. After all, with the internet at your fingertips, you can search for homes, look up property values, and even negotiate deals on your own. Yet, even with all that info, 89% of people choose […]
Read More
A little backstory: Back in March, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a settlement deal. The organization agreed to both a monetary settlement as well as real estate practice changes aimed at providing more transparency regarding how real estate agents are paid. But how exactly does that change things for you? There are two main differences you may be hearing about: Headlines might make these changes seem overwhelming. And while some of the […]
Read More