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How Long Should You Stay in Your Home Before Selling?

Blog posted On February 08, 2024

Deciding to sell your home is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. Whether you're downsizing, upsizing, facing financial concerns, or taking advantage of a booming sellers’ market, the timing of selling your home can greatly impact your financial outcome. How do you know when to sell, though? Is there a specific amount of time you should stay in your house before considering selling? This blog will showcase some of the reasons to consider selling and what factors may impact your decision.

How To Prepare To List Your House During Peak Buying Season

Blog posted On January 11, 2024

As the real estate market ebbs and flows, there's a golden window known as the peak buying season—a time when potential buyers are actively searching for their dream homes. This opportune moment demands more than a "For Sale" sign and a tidy interior. To stand out and attract the right buyers, strategic preparation is key. 
 
Here's your comprehensive guide on how to prepare to list your house during peak buying season.

Struggling to Sell Your Home? DON’T Make This Costly Mistake

Blog posted On October 19, 2023

“I’ll wait until next year...” “Maybe when rates fall…” “I can’t afford to buy right now…” High mortgage rates are pushing many people out of the home buying market. With fewer interested buyers, selling a home has become significantly harder than a couple of years ago. If you’re trying to sell now, don’t give up hope. We have ways that can help you save money and still sell your home at top price.

6 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Spring Market

Blog posted On February 10, 2023

Did the recent shift in the market keep your selling plans on hold? Springtime is right around the corner, and it’s time to start having conversations with your Realtor about how you can get your home in order now to have a smooth sale come listing time. Home buyers usually start their home search back up during the spring because they know that more inventory is going to hit the market, so it’s important to make sure that you make your home stand out.

Why Working with a Real Estate Agent Pays Off

Blog posted On January 04, 2023

A popular question that comes up before selling or buying a home is whether or not you should work with a REALTOR. While it is not a requirement, having a knowledgeable real estate agent can help you navigate the current market, sell/buy quicker, and earn higher profits.

5 Tips on Selling Your Home in a Shifting Market

Blog posted On September 07, 2022

The housing market is starting to look a lot different than it did at the beginning of the year. It’s shifting, and homes are no longer getting multiple offers over asking price before the agent can even get the sign in the yard. Are you looking to put your home up for sale soon? Below are five tips on how to sell your home faster in the current market.

Is Now a Good Time to Sell Your Home, or Should You Wait?

Blog posted On August 10, 2022

Fewer buyers and declining home prices have sellers thinking twice about listing their homes. So is now a good time to put your home on the market, or should you wait? Unfortunately, it’s not a simple yes or no. But below are things that you can consider to help you make a decision.

Here are some factors that typically sway people to list their homes.

DIY Projects That Can Boost Your Home’s Value

Blog posted On June 15, 2022

Are you thinking about putting your house on the market? Certain updates can help you maximize profits from the sale of your home. It may be overwhelming to think about the cost of renovations, but there are several medium-to-low-cost updates that can quickly boost your home’s value.

Home Selling Checklist: 7 Things to Do Before Putting Your Home on the Market

Blog posted On May 25, 2022

Spring and early summer are some of the busiest home buying seasons. If you’re considering selling your home, there are several ways you can prepare it for the market. Below are seven steps to take before listing your home.

7 Features That Could Boost Your Home’s Value

Blog posted On April 13, 2022

Not all of a home’s value is based on a curb appeal. In fact, some unusual features could actually attract more buyers and boost your sales price. In a study for Angi, formerly Angie’s List, researchers identified common features that people have in their homes that come with a nice price premium.

10 Songs to Play at Your Open House

Blog posted On March 30, 2022

Freshly baked cookies may be a long-lost tradition in the real estate world. But newer sales tactics are starting to gain popularity among some home sellers and buyers. Music can move people in many ways – bringing them to tears, energizing their workout, or providing a calming background tune during the workday. In recent years, some REALTORS® have harnessed the power of music to enhance buyers’ experiences at open houses. Some have found that this can help seal the deal. But if you’re going to try testing it out for yourself, there are a few keys to keep in mind.

5 Tax Deductions for Home Sellers

Blog posted On February 24, 2022

Tax season may not be your favorite time of year, but it does come with some perks. If you currently own a home or recently sold your home, you probably qualify for some decent tax deductions this year.

Renting vs. Selling: Which is Right for You?

Blog posted On February 17, 2022

When rent prices and home prices are both soaring, you might be faced with the tough decision: should you sell your home or rent it out? Both are good options, but before you decide, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each scenario.

Should You Trust Online Home Price Estimates?

Blog posted On October 13, 2021

In the age of Zillow and Zestimates, it can be difficult to discern what’s real and what’s not. Online home price calculators like Zillow’s Zestimate tool and Redfin’s Estimate calculator can give you a rough idea of how much a home is worth. This can help sellers get an idea of their market value and buyers determine what’s in their budget. However, it shouldn’t be the sole factor influencing your sales price or home offer.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Downsizing as a Retiree

Blog posted On September 23, 2021

Change can be hard – whether you’re a first-time home buyer adjusting to home maintenance or a retired homeowner moving to a smaller place. Going from what you’ve known to something new isn’t always easy – especially if it’s what you’ve known most of your life. Downsizing homes as a retiree can almost feel like you’re a first-time home buyer all over again. But in a few simple steps, you can go from experienced homeowner to successful home seller in no time.

Pros and Cons of Pocket Listings

Blog posted On August 19, 2021

Pocket listings – often called exclusive listings or off-MLS listings – are essentially properties that are sold by word of mouth instead of the MLS system. The MLS, or multiple listing service, is an online database where real estate agents register different homes for sale. Once an agent puts a house into the MLS, the listing is automatically shared with other agents and sites such as Redfin, Zillow, and Realtor.com. “A pocket listing is essentially a privately sold home,” says Amber Taufen, managing editor at HomeLight’s Buyer Resource Center. “Buyers need to have some sort of connection to the brokerage, the listing agent or the home seller in order to hear about the property.” Why would a seller want fewer buyers making offers on their home?

4 Tips for Selling in a Competitive Market

Blog posted On June 16, 2021

Selling your house in a competitive market might sound like a breeze. You list your home, get several offers right away, and close on a contract offering you thousands of dollars above your listing price. Unfortunately, the sales process might not be as straightforward as you think and there are a few other factors to consider.

Home Renovations with the Highest and Lowest Returns

Blog posted On May 20, 2021

Home renovations can be costly endeavors, depending on the scope of your project. Some homeowners might renovate simply because they need more space. Others might have the goal of boosting their home’s value. If the purpose of your home renovation is to increase your home’s value, it’s important to weigh out its cost. Certain renovations might not have the same resale value that you imagined. To help you plan for your home renovation, here are the current home upgrades with the highest and lowest return on investment (ROI).

Are ‘We Buy Houses’ Signs a Scam?

Blog posted On March 31, 2021

Many of us know a scam when we see one. Whether it’s a phone call from “Spam Risk,” or a text to claim your free prize, we’re wary of anything that seems too good to be true. So, are the “We Buy Houses” signs any different? 

6 Quick Tips to Help Sell Your House Fast

Blog posted On March 25, 2021

Staging your home for sale is always important – even in a busy market. With the help of good staging, you could garner more buyer interest, close on your home faster, and potentially increase your profit. To get started with a solid home staging, follow these six easy tips from REALTORS® across the country.

6 Factors that Affect a Home’s Price

Blog posted On March 02, 2021

Home price appreciation has surged over the past year – up 10.1% year-over-year, according to the recent Case-Shiller home price index report. This is the first time that home prices have seen a double-digit gain since 2014, as more buyers have been flooding the housing market and fewer homes have been available for sale. Whether you’re a proactive homeowner getting your house ready to sell, or a savvy home buyer looking to make a smart investment, knowing which factors affect a home’s price could help you maximize your returns in the future.

Are iBuyers Worth the Buzz?

Blog posted On February 16, 2021

No, an iBuyer is not the next big Apple product, it’s an online ‘instant buyer’ that is becoming a popular option in today’s housing market. Over the past several years, many home sellers have chosen iBuyers because of their convenience and efficiency. When a seller uses an online iBuyer platform, the purchasing company makes an offer for your house, takes care of upgrades and repairs, and buys the house from you in order to make a small profit when it sells again. Before you choose to go this route, make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of using an iBuyer to purchase your home.

4 Signs Your Home’s Value Is Declining

Blog posted On April 16, 2020

Your home is an investment, and for most Americans, your biggest investment. Even if you are not planning on selling your home in the near future, you want your home to appreciate in value, so you continue to build wealth through home equity. It is important to recognize factors that indicate a decline in the value of your home. These signs may be an indicator that value has declined.

7 Inexpensive Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Blog posted On November 07, 2019

When you’re staging a home for sale the details matter. A couple of inexpensive changes can make a big difference to potential buyers who are touring your home.  Your Realtor or real estate agent is the expert when it comes to staging your home, but here are some ways you can up the perceived value of your home before you list.