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Understanding the Difference Between Interest Rate and APR

One of the least understood aspects of obtaining a home loan is the difference between the interest rate and the APR (Annual Percentage Rate). At first glance, they sound like the same thing, but while they both impact the cost of the loan, they are two different aspects of the home loan program. Home interest […]
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Benefits of Downsizing After Retirement

Retirement is an exciting new phase of life, and one most people look forward to their entire working life. For those ready to make this change, downsizing their home is an important decision. While the thought of leaving the family home can be emotional, there are significant benefits that can enhance the retirement lifestyle. First, […]
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Home Search Frustration? How to Refocus and Keep Going

The best part of buying a new home is going out and touring homes. This is especially true for first-time home buyers. As time goes on, however, it can be frustrating when each home falls short of expectations. While it’s important to be realistic about what is available and affordable, there can be a […]
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Basics and Importance of Title Insurance

Basics and Importance of Title Insurance Title insurance is a critical component of the home selling process, yet many homeowners do not fully understand what it is or its value. Simply stated, title insurance protects both buyer and seller from any potential issues with the property’s title. When selling a home, obtaining title insurance offers […]

Uncategorized Understanding the Difference Between Interest Rate and APR One of the least understood aspects of obtaining a home loan is the difference between the interest rate and the APR (Annual Percentage Rate). At first glance, they sound like the same thing, but while they both impact the cost of the loan, they are two different aspects of the home loan program. Home interest […]

Uncategorized Benefits of Downsizing After Retirement Retirement is an exciting new phase of life, and one most people look forward to their entire working life. For those ready to make this change, downsizing their home is an important decision. While the thought of leaving the family home can be emotional, there are significant benefits that can enhance the retirement lifestyle. First, […]

Uncategorized Home Search Frustration? How to Refocus and Keep Going The best part of buying a new home is going out and touring homes. This is especially true for first-time home buyers. As time goes on, however, it can be frustrating when each home falls short of expectations. While it’s important to be realistic about what is available and affordable, there can be a […]

Uncategorized Basics and Importance of Title Insurance Basics and Importance of Title Insurance Title insurance is a critical component of the home selling process, yet many homeowners do not fully understand what it is or its value. Simply stated, title insurance protects both buyer and seller from any potential issues with the property’s title. When selling a home, obtaining title insurance offers […]

Uncategorized Do You Really Need to Hold an Open House? Once a staple of real estate marketing, open houses are no longer as effective in selling a home as they once were. According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors®, only 7% of homebuyers found their home through an open house. Of those, most had already retained a buyer’s agent and would have […]

Uncategorized What to Expect From a Listing Agent You already know that the best way to sell your home, and for the most profit, is to hire a listing agent. The fact is that people who sell using a real estate agent make more profit and have a smoother transaction than those who try to do it themselves. Yet often consumers don’t know […]

Uncategorized Guide to Broker Compensation

Uncategorized What to Expect From a Listing Agent You already know that the best way to sell your home, and for the most profit, is to hire a listing agent. The fact is that people who sell using a real estate agent make more profit and have a smoother transaction than those who try to do it themselves. Yet often consumers don’t know […]

Uncategorized Ready to Simplify Your Home? Some Questions to Help Once the holidays are over and the decorations come down, it’s common to take a serious look at your home and decide to make some changes. Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, often result in looking at other ways to remove excess clutter, and taking a more minimalist approach to our homes is common. The […]

Uncategorized Weekend Projects That Will Change the Feel of Any Dining Room Winter is here, and with it comes cozy evenings and comfort food. Your weekend plans are more likely to include movies on the couch than a picnic in the park. This is the time of year when everyone takes a closer look at their home and looks for ways to add warmth to the spaces. […]

Uncategorized Home Search Frustration? How to Refocus and Keep Going The best part of buying a new home is going out and touring homes. This is especially true for first-time home buyers. As time goes on, however, it can be frustrating when each home falls short of expectations. While it’s important to be realistic about what is available and affordable, there can be a temptation […]

Uncategorized Is Your Vacation Rental Ready For Winter Guests? Owning a vacation rental, like an Airbnb or VRBO home, is a great way to earn extra income. Much of the year, all these properties need is a way to manage access and a cleaning service. When winter comes, however, it’s important to add some extra care – both for the safety of your guests, […]

Uncategorized Don’t Overdo It When Decluttering to Sell Your Home If you’re preparing your home to sell, you already know that it’s important to declutter. A clean, tidy space allows potential buyers to see the beauty of your home and to imagine themselves living there. But there is a fine line between decluttering and denuding – removing too much can leave your home looking cold […]

Uncategorized Real vs Personal Property in a Real Estate Transaction When buying or selling a home, often misunderstandings occur over the distinction between “real” and “personal” property. Real estate agents across the nation frequently end up playing referee in situations fueled by misconceptions, which can create tension and sometimes even kill a sale. Understanding the difference is important to anyone engaged in a real estate […]

Uncategorized Why Didn’t My House Sell? There is nothing more frustrating for a seller than to watch houses around them sell like hot cakes while theirs lingers on the market. Finally, when the listing expires, they find themselves asking why? Why didn’t my house sell? In a robust housing market like we’ve had the past few years, the good news is […]

Uncategorized Use These Habits to Successfully Save for a Down Payment For most people, saving for a down payment is one of the first steps towards making their dream of homeownership a reality. But saving a significant chunk of change requires discipline, and the right habits. So, what habits should you establish if you want to buy a home in the not-so-distant future? A recent video from […]

Uncategorized Removing Uncertainties When Buying and Selling Buyers and sellers are feeling the uncertainty in the housing market. With rising interest rates and a slower selling pace, it may seem overwhelming. If you are planning to both sell your home and buy a new one, the current environment may be even more frustrating. Where do you start? Sell first? Buy first? The […]

Uncategorized Don’t Let Small Problems Become Big Insurance Issues Home maintenance is important for homeowners. Small issues like a loose shingle or minor leak may seem minor, but they can turn into bigger problems over time if left unaddressed. Poor home maintenance can potentially lead to insurance claims being denied if the damage arises from deferred maintenance. Insurance policies generally cover unexpected damage, not […]

Uncategorized The Real Reason Your Agent Wants You Gone During Showings There are several good reasons for homeowners to make themselves scarce when potential buyers come to view their house. While one motivation is avoiding problematic comments, there are other benefits to giving prospective buyers space during showings. For one, an empty home allows potential buyers to envision themselves living there. With the sellers out of […]

Uncategorized Small Design Changes that Have Big Impact With the change of seasons, attention turns from the backyard to our indoor spaces. With the cooler months ahead and more time spent indoors, who wouldn’t love a quick living space refresh? Fortunately, you don’t need to completely revamp everything to have a new look. Small changes can have a big impact as well. Paint […]