process of buying a home Tag

Downsize Your Home, Rightsize Your Life: How to Choose the Ideal Smaller Home

When you've lived somewhere for many years, it can be tough to say goodbye. But if you (or a loved one) currently have a home that is bigger than necessary or is too high maintenance, it may be time to trade unused square footage for a smaller, more manageable space.  Take it from the downsizers who’ve been there: Although living small might require some adjustments, it can also be liberating––especially if you're in a stage of life where past responsibilities have given way to new possibilities and adventures.   In fact, many downsizers...

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Renovate or Relocate? 3 Questions To Help You Decide

Does your current home no longer serve your needs? If so, you may be torn between relocating to a new home or renovating your existing one. This can be a difficult choice, and there’s a lot to consider—including potential costs, long-term financial implications, and quality of life.  A major remodel can be a major commitment. From hiring contractors to selecting materials to managing a budget, it can take a tremendous amount of time and energy—not to mention the ordeal of living through construction or relocating to a temporary residence. On the other hand,...

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THE FALL MARKET IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER – 3 Things to prepare for success

FENCE SITTERS - GET READY TO TAKE ACTION! The launch of the fall market, or last push to buy a home or sell your home in 2022, is just around the corner.  Historically, starting  after the Labor Day weekend, we see new listings trickle onto the MLS and build through September and start slowing after Thanksgiving....

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SOLD: IT’S THE GOAL BUT NOT THE GLORY

  Realtors are not sales people! There I said it. Contrary to public opinion, reputation and all the negative attention that gets dumped on us we don't "sell" property. We manage and build relationships, guide clients through complicated and emotional transactions and creative problem solve. Realtors wear many hats but have one focus - our clients. What is best for them, how we can help them, how we can make their real estate dreams come true and hopefully with joy and the least amount of stress. Some clients don't make it easy My...

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Higher Rates and Short Supply: The State of Real Estate in 2022

The last two years caught many of us off guard—and not just because of the pandemic. They also ushered in the hottest housing market on record, with home prices rising nationally by nearly 19% in 2021, driven primarily by low mortgage rates and a major supply shortage.1 But while some had hoped 2022 would bring a return to normalcy, the U.S. real estate market continues to boom, despite rising interest rates and decreasing affordability. So what’s driving this persistent demand? And is there an end in sight? Here are three factors impacting the...

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5 Ways to Write a Winning Offer in Today’s Real Estate Market

Our nation is in the midst of a serious housing crunch. Last year, a lack of inventory and soaring prices left many would-be homebuyers feeling pinched. But now, with interest rates climbing, many of them are also feeling desperate to lock in a mortgage—which has only added fuel to the fire.1 Fortunately, if you’re a buyer struggling to find a home, we have some good news. While it’s true that higher mortgage rates can decrease your purchasing budget, there are additional ways to compete in a hot market. Yes, a high offer...

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A Return to ‘Normal’? The State of Real Estate in 2022

Last year was one for the real estate history books. The pandemic helped usher in a buying frenzy that caused home prices to soar nationwide by a record 19.9% between August 2020 and August 2021.1 However, there were signs in the fourth quarter that the red-hot housing market was beginning to simmer down. In the month of October, only 60.3% of sales involved a bidding war—down from a high of 74.5% in April.2 While this trend could be attributed to seasonality, it could also be a signal that the real estate...

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New Build or Existing Home: Which One Is Right for You?

Homebuyers today are facing a huge dilemma. There simply aren’t enough homes for sale.1 Nationwide, there were 1.27 million active listings in September, down 13% from the previous year. According to the National Association of Realtors, that’s about 2.4 months of inventory, which is far less than the six months that is generally needed to strike a healthy balance between supply and demand.2 Given the limited number of available properties, if you’re a buyer in today’s market, you may need to expand your search to include both new construction and resale homes....

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10 Steps to Buying a Home – Step 5 The Offer

10 Steps to Buying a Home – Step 5 The Offer Making an offer When do you know you are ready to make an offer on a home? Pre-approval from lender – Check! Private home tour with agent – Check! You may look at 3 homes or 20+ homes before finding one that speaks to you, matches your needs/wants and is within your budget. Remember that finding the perfect home for you is a process and each buyers’ process is as unique as they are. We are currently experiencing...

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