Jeffrey Hogue's Blog

How can the value of a home go up when a home appraisal uses trailing information to substantiate that value? This becomes even more of an issue when the last 6 to 12 months of home sales reflect lower prices. Hmmm… In past years new home construction was the tide that raised all boats. When the...

The mantra of real estate value has always been “Location ~ Location ~ Location”. While this is still true De-clutter ~ De-clutter ~ De-clutter may now be running a close second. It is no mystery that people everywhere have more stuff than ever before. This is especially true in Berks County wher...

I remember when Realtors® learned how to do a Comparable Market Analysis, Broker Price Opinion and an Appraisal when estimating the value of a property. We used phrases like comps, variables, CMA and BPO. That was then. Now we have words like “Zestimate®” and spend more time telling prospective B...

Before a Berks County real estate home buyer enters a home that is for sale their senses are already at work. Sight is normally the first sense used. Second is hearing, unless there is such a rancid smell outside the home it cannot be ignored. Some of the sounds around a home can be controlled b...

The Dog Ate my Home Deposit When a home buyer and seller enter into an agreement to purchase real estate in Berks County, it is a common practice that the buyer is required to provide a deposit. The deposit is recognized as a sign of good faith and a commitment from the purchaser to honor their ...

This is the time of year when we as Americans remember the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom. What we now celebrate as Memorial Day was once known as Decoration Day. It was established just after the civil war to commemorate the lives lost in that bloody battle. Memorial D...

When selling a Berks County home, buyers consider the look of a home to be the most important factor.  If the home is on a high traffic road or your furnace is loud, sound is quickly addressed.  Odors are hard to ignore.  But…..the sense of touch?  As a Berks County Home Seller, you may not want...

 Since you cannot (or should not) eat Berks County real estate I will have to improvise a bit on this one. Instead of “Taste” being a sense as in “Eat”, I will switch the theme to a sense of “Taste” as in home decorating. I remember getting priceless feedback from a particular agent after a show...

Having photographic and digital skills can take you almost anywhere! Thinking of or trying to sell your Berks County home? Do you wonder if a new color of paint would make a difference? Maybe you think the kitchen appliances or the counter top look dated. You can look at photos of other homes to...

Did you ever walk into a home and think, this is really nice. The colors are appealing and the décor is pleasing. The home has order. It makes you happy. As a Realtor this is the way I wish every home buyer would react to the homes they preview. Wishful thinking. When I put a Berks County home o...