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What Does a Realtor Do for the Homebuyer?
Prospective homebuyers who begin their search without enlisting the knowledge and experience of a professional Realtor to represent them will miss out on a range of resources that can help them make an informed decision. Realtors add insight into the current market conditions and a real-time understanding of each neighborhood’s current conditions and characteristics. A…
Read MoreWhat Does a Realtor Do for the Home Seller?
Just about anyone who has ever sold a home with the help of a knowledgeable Realtor appreciates the role they played in counseling, guiding, advising, and managing the process. Roles of a Professional Realtor When Selling a Home Once a home seller connects with a knowledgeable Realtor to market and sell a home, they have…
Read MorePros and Cons of Paying Off a Mortgage Early
Soon after signing mortgage loan documents that lock in a 15- or 30-year debt, homeowners dream about paying off the debt early to get rid of the monthly burden. But, even if you could pay the mortgage off early, is it a good idea? When Considering Paying Off a Mortgage Early Paying off a mortgage…
Read MoreHow Do Interest Rates Affect the Housing Market?
Most prospective home buyers work with a mortgage lender to finance a home purchase. In fact, according to a U.S. Census statistic in 2020, 64.8% of current homeowners used a mortgage loan to buy their homes. The mortgage interest rate plays a vital role in most home purchases, often the most significant single investment individuals…
Read MoreHow Long Does It Take to Buy a House?
The time it takes to buy a home can be a long process. According to a December 2021 Bankrate.com article, the average time to close on a home with a conventional mortgage is about 51 days. Having all documentation organized in advance and quickly responding to all lender questions will minimize the time between an…
Read MoreFour Upgrades that Add the Most Value to Your Home
Remodeling and upgrades can help increase the return on investment (ROI) of a home; however, it is unlikely the homeowner will recoup the total cost of most upgrades. Generally, an upgrade project must fix a design or structural flaw to recover the construction cost. A home remodeling project can help increase a home’s value. But…
Read MoreEight Simple Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is the first impression a potential buyer gets of your home. A home’s curb appeal refers to its attractiveness when viewed from the street and is essential to consider when putting a home on the market for sale. It helps set expectations for potential buyers and positively influences a home’s value and marketability.…
Read MoreHow Much is My Home Worth?
Like most everything, home values are generally subject to the law of supply and demand. However, determining a home’s worth can be difficult due to the current economic conditions, location, comparable area sales, interest rates, and other factors. Knowing a home’s current value means greater control for the homeowner. Why Understanding Home Values is Important…
Read MoreStaging Tips: Sell Your Home Faster and For a Higher Price
Staging a home will help it sell faster and for a higher price. However, home staging is more than just cleaning, straightening, and rearranging the furniture. Home staging is a way to showcase your home’s best assets to make it appealing to the broadest range of potential buyers. Think of staging as dressing your home…
Read MoreHomeowners Have the Selling Power
According to the real estate brokerage firm Redfin, the average homeowner stays in their home longer than they used to. In 2010 a typical homeowner stayed eight years in a home. In 2019, the average was 13 years. Longer homeownership helps drive increased homeowner equity. It is one of the bright spots of the 2020 real estate…
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