Tuesday, February 11, 2025 / by Stephanie Deeds
If you want to sell your house, having the right strategies and expectations is key. But some sellers haven’t adjusted to where the market is today. They’re not factoring in that there are more homes for sale or that buyers are being more selective with their budgets. And those sellers are making some costly mistakes.
Here’s a quick rundown of the 3 most common missteps sellers are making, and how partnering with an expert agent can help you avoid every single one of them.
1. Pricing the Home Too High
According to a survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM), real estate agents agree the #1 thing sellers struggle with right now is setting the right price for their house (see graph below):
And more often than not, homeowners tend to overprice their listings. If you aren’t up to speed on what’s happening in your local market, you may give in to the temptation to price high so you . ...
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real estate, real estate news, realtor tips, selling, selling your house, home sellers, sellers, real estate agent, seller agent
Thursday, February 6, 2025 / by Stephanie Deeds
There’s no denying affordability is tough right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans to buy a home on the back burner.
If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide if this is the right move for you.
What’s a Fixer-Upper?
A fixer-upper is a home that’s livable but requires some renovations. Think cosmetic updates like wallpaper removal and new flooring or more extensive repairs like replacing a roof or updating plumbing.
While fixer-uppers need a little TLC, here’s why they may be worth considering, especially right now:
They Usually Have a Lower Price Point. Because of the repairs involved, these homes are usually less expensive up front than move-in-ready options. According to a survey from StorageCafe, fixer-uppers come with p; ...
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real estate, real estate news, buying a home, buyer tips, home buyers, selling, real estate agent, fixer upper
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 / by Stephanie Deeds
Have you been wondering whether you should keep renting or finally make the leap into homeownership? It’s a big decision, and let’s be real — renting can feel like the easier option, especially if buying a home feels out of reach.
But here’s the thing: a recent report from Bank of America highlights that 70% of prospective buyers fear the long-term consequences of renting, including not building equity and dealing with rising rents.
Maybe you’re feeling that too — concerned about where renting might leave you down the road, but still unsure if you'd even be able to buy right now. The truth is, if you’re able to make the numbers work, buying a home has powerful long-term financial benefits.
Let’s break down why homeownership is worth considering in 2025 and beyond, and how it can help set you up for the future.
Buying Builds Wealth Over Time
Buying a home allows you to turn your monthly housing costs . ...
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real estate, real estate news, buyer tips, home buyers
Thursday, January 30, 2025 / by Marie Reddick
If retirement is on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about your next chapter. And you probably want to make sure you’re set up to feel comfortable financially to live the life you want in retirement.
What you may not realize is you likely have a hidden goldmine of cash you’re not thinking about — and that’s your home. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows that home values have gone up nearly 60% over the last 5 years alone (see graph below):
And that appreciation gave your net worth a big boost. According to Freddie Mac, over the same five-year period:
“ . . . Boomer overall wealth increased by $19 trillion, or $486,000 per household, half of which is due to house price appreciation.”
So if you’ve been in your house ever longer than that, chances are you have even more equity in your home. If you want to have access to more of the wealth you’ve built up throughout . ...
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real estate, real estate news, selling, selling your house, home sellers, sellers, real estate agent, seller agent, realtor, home equity
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 / by Stephanie Deeds
Smaller Homes, Bigger Opportunities: The Homebuilder Trend Buyers Love
It’s no secret that affordability is tough with where mortgage rates and home prices are right now. And that may have you worried about how you’ll be able to buy a home. But, if you don’t need a ton of space, you may find you have more cost-effective options in an unexpected place: new home communities.
Builders Are Building Smaller Homes
Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, buyers have turned their attention to homes with less square footage — and builders have shifted their focus to capitalize on that demand. As U.S. News notes:
“The combination of higher home prices and mortgage rates has strained a lot of people's budgets. And that's something builders recognize. To this end, they may be leaning toward smaller spaces . . .That, in turn, can lead to savings for buyers.”
Data from the Census shows&n. ...
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real estate, real estate news, buying a home, buyer tips, home buyers, new construction