Why it is Important to Drain Your Water HeaterWe are so used to getting hot water in our home without a thought, until something goes wrong with our water heater, or it stops working. A cold shower or a leak can take us by surprise and are signs that the water heater is not working properly. This can happen when we neglect to periodically drain it. A water heater needs to be drained and flushed as part of its maintenance routine. Why is this so important? Over time sediment from minerals and other deposits in the water build up in the bottom of the tank, called scaling, and can lead to a clog in the valves which can cause leaks and corrosion. This can result in poor heating efficiency and costly repairs. Drainage helps flush out the sediment that can cause malfunction and makes it easie... 05/28/2023

Home Renovations that Offer the Best ROI for ResaleAre you looking to sell your home and concerned about its resale value? If you last updated, upgraded, or refurbished a while ago, your home could show signs of wear and tear that could negatively impact the sale when you try to appeal to buyers. Whether you have a large or limited budget, you can make the much-needed changes that can increase the value of your home and attract home buyers. Here is a list of top-rated home renovation ideas that offer the best ROI for resale.Boosting Curb Appeal—It’s always best to begin with the exterior, as that will be noticed first. You may choose only to repaint and clean up the yard. To increase the value even more, you should consider larger renovations. Some examples are a new garage or front doo... 05/21/2023

It May Be Time To Consider a Newly Built HomeIf you're looking to buy a house, you may find todays limited supply of homes available for sale challenging. When housing inventory is as low as it is right now, it can feel like a bit of an uphill battle to find the perfect home for you because there just isn't that much to choose from. If you need to open up your pool of options, it may be time to consider a newly built home. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census, there's positive news when it comes to new home construction. When you look at the first three months of this year, you'll find:  More new homes were completed and are ready to sell. This gives you more move-in-ready options for your search. Builders broke ground and started construction on more single-family homes. T... 05/19/2023

There's been some concern lately that the housing market is headed for a crash. And given some of the affordability challenges in the housing market, along with a lot of recession talk in the media, its easy enough to understand why that worry has come up.But the data clearly shows todays market is very different than it was before the housing crash in 2008. Rest assured, this isnt a repeat of what happened back then. Heres why.Its Harder To Get a Loan NowIt was much easier to get a home loan during the lead-up to the 2008 housing crisis than it is today. Back then, banks had different lending standards, making it easy for just about anyone to qualify for a home loan or refinance an existing one. As a result, lending institutions took on much greater risk in both the person and the mort... 05/18/2023

Why You May Want To Start Your Home Search TodayIf you're thinking about buying a home, you likely have a lot of factors on your mind. You're weighing your own needs against higher mortgage rates, todays home prices, and more to try to decide if you want to jump into the market. While some buyers may wait things out, there's a reason serious buyers are making moves right now, and that's the growing number of homes for sale.So far this year, housing inventory has been increasing and that's making the prospect of finding your dream home less difficult. While there are always reasons you could delay making a big decision, there are also always reasons to consider moving forward. And having a growing number of options for your home search may be exactly what you needed to feel more confiden... 08/29/2022

More Smart Ways to Automate Your HomeIn the early days of home automation, getting your home set up typically required buying a central hub that your devices could connect to and coordinating everything from there. In some cases, you might have even needed multiple hubs, since not all devices worked on the same network. While automation hubs and alternate networks still exist, these days most automation is done using your home’s Wi-Fi network and digital assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant.With smart home automation having come so far in recent years, there may be more options available to automate your home than you realized. While the specific automation that you use depends on how your home is set up and your own personal preferences, it’s worth it to explore a few different... 06/30/2022

Things To Avoid After Applying for a Home LoanOnce you've applied for a mortgage to buy a home, there are some key things to keep in mind. While its exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating, be careful when it comes to making any big purchases. Here are a few things you may not realize you need to avoid after applying for your home loan.Don't Deposit Large Sums of Cash Lenders need to source your money, and cash isn't easily traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan officer.Don't Make Any Large Purchases Its not just home-related purchases that could disqualify you from your loan. Any large purchases can be red flags for lenders. People with new debt have higher debt-to-income... 06/28/2022

Homeownership Is a Great Hedge Against the Impact of Rising InflationIf you're following along with the news today, you've heard about rising inflation. Today, inflation is at a 40-year high. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):Consumer prices accelerated again in May as shelter, energy and food prices continued to surge at the fastest pace in decades. This marked the third straight month for inflation above an 8% rate and was the largest year-over-year gain since December 1981.With inflation rising, you're likely feeling it impact your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more. These climbing consumer costs can put a pinch on your wallet and make you re-evaluate any big purchases you have planned to ensure they're still worthwhile.If you've ... 06/27/2022

Why an Agent Is Essential When Pricing Your House Some Highlights When it comes to pricing your house, there's a lot to consider. The only way to ensure you price it right is by partnering with a local real estate professional. To find the best price, your agent balances current market demand, the values of homes in your neighborhood, where prices are headed, and your homes condition. Don't pick just any price for your house. If you're ready to sell, lets connect to find the perfect price for your house.      06/25/2022

A Majority of Consumers Say Its a Good Time To Sell Your HouseIf you're a homeowner thinking about selling your house, you're probably looking for the best time to make your move. That means you're likely balancing a number of factors, like your changing needs, where you'll go when you sell, and todays mortgage rates in order to time it just right.According to recent data, that sweet spot could already be here. The latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae finds that 76% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell.The graph below shows the percentage of survey respondents who say its a good time to sell a house. The big dip in March and April of 2020 reflects how consumer sentiment dropped at the beginning of the pandemic as uncertainty about the health crisis grew. ... 06/22/2022

Why the Growing Number of Homes for Sale Is Good for Your Move UpAre you thinking about selling your current home? If so, the biggest question on your mind may be: if I sell now, where will I go? If this resonates with you, there's something you should know. The number of homes coming onto the market is increasing and that could make it easier for you to move up this summer.According to the latest data from realtor.com, the number of homes being listed for sale, known as new listings, has increased consistently this year (see graph below):While this news has clear benefits for buyers who are craving more options for their home search, what does that mean for current homeowners like you? It gives you two distinct opportunities in todays housing market.Opportunity #1: Take Advantage of Mo... 06/15/2022

What Are the Best Options for Todays First-Time Homebuyers?If you're looking to buy your first home, youre likely balancing several factors. Because both mortgage rates and home prices have risen this year, it costs more to buy a home than it did even just a few months ago. But that doesnt mean you have to put your plans on hold.If you partner with a trusted real estate advisor and hone your strategy, you can navigate todays market and find the home you're looking for. Here are two tips to help you get started.Work with a Professional To Prioritize Your Wish ListIf you're having trouble finding a home in your budget that checks all the boxes, it may be worth taking another look at your lists of what you want and what you really need. According to the latest First-Time Homebuyer Metro Af... 06/14/2022

Luxury Homes Are in High DemandAs people realize their needs are changing, some are turning to luxury housing to find their dream home. Investopedia helps define what pushes a home into this category. In a recent article, they point out that a luxury home isn't only defined by its price. Location is also an important factor. It could be a condo at a desirable city address, a spacious home on the water, or one with access to luxury activities like arts and entertainment, high-end shopping and dining, and more. The home itself will also boast some of the finest features available.According to the Luxury Market Report from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, there's been a substantial increase in how many buyers are purchasing luxury homes over the past two years. It says:. . . North ... 06/13/2022

Carving Out Your Home Office SpaceWhen COVID-19 emerged, a lot of employers realized the advantage of allowing at least some employees to work from home. Not only can it act as a benefit for employees, but it can also help to reduce the cost of stocking and maintaining a physical office space. As a result, the number of people working in home offices has increased significantly over the last few years. This trend will likely continue as well, since companies are realizing that many employees like a work-from-home option and are actively seeking out WFH positions.While there are definite advantages to this, it does bring up one potential problem: If your home wasn’t designed with a home office in mind, where are you going to put it? While some people solve this problem by just sticking a... 06/12/2022

The Top Reasons To Own Your HomeSome Highlights June is National Homeownership Month, and its a great time to consider the benefits of owning your own home. If you're considering homeownership, know that it can give you privacy, comfort, and a place to express yourself. It can also provide financial stability and help you grow your net worth. Are you ready to experience all the great benefits that come from purchasing a home? Lets connect to begin the process today.      06/11/2022

What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for the Housing Market?If you're thinking of buying or selling a house, you're at an exciting decision point. And anytime you make a big decision like that, one thing you should always consider is timing. So, what does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here's what experts have to say.The Number of Homes Available for Sale Is Likely To GrowThere are early signs housing inventory is starting to grow and experts say that should continue in the months ahead. According to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com:The gap between this years homes for sale and last years is one-fifth the size that it was at the beginning of the year. The catch up is likely to continue, . . . This growth will mean more options for shoppers than they've had... 06/10/2022

Why Home Loans Today Aren't What They Were in the PastIn todays housing market, many are beginning to wonder if were returning to the riskier lending habits and borrowing options that led to the housing crash 15 years ago. Lets ease those concerns.Several times a year, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) releases an index titled the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to their website:The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.Basically, the index determines how easy it is to get a mortgage. The higher the index, the more available mortgage credit becomes. Here's a graph of the MCAI dating back to 2004, ... 06/08/2022

How Homeownership Impacts YouJune is National Homeownership Month, and its the perfect time to reflect on how impactful owning a home can truly be. When you purchase a house, it becomes more than just a space you occupy. Its your stake in the community, an investment, and a place you can put your stamp on.If you're thinking about buying a home this year, here are some of the benefits you’ll experience when you do.The Emotional Benefits of HomeownershipBecause its a place that’s uniquely yours, owning a home can give you a sense of pride and happiness in several ways.Your Home Can Reflect Your Tastes and PersonalityInvestopedia puts it like this:One often-cited benefit of homeownership is the knowledge that you own your little corner of the world.That knowledge can lead to a powerful, em... 06/07/2022

History Proves Recession Doesn't Equal a Housing Crisis Some Highlights Its important to understand history proves an economic slowdown does not equal a housing crisis. In 4 of the last 6 recessions, home prices actually appreciated. Home prices only fell twice minimally in the early 90s and then by nearly 20% during the housing crash in 2008. If you have questions, lets connect to discuss why todays housing market is nothing like 2008.     06/06/2022

Make Your Virtual Tour IrresistibleVirtual tours are all the rage these days, and for good reason. Not only do virtual tours make it easier for buyers to view homes they might be interested in at any time of the day or night, they’re safe, even when COVID cases are high. With a virtual tour, a home shopper can eliminate homes they definitely do not want to see, making the whole process a lot more efficient.As the seller of one of these homes, it’s extra important that your home is staged so that the virtual tour makes people want to come in and see more. This often goes well beyond what you’d need to do for a regular showing, since your goal is to mimic the feeling of what it’s like to be in your house. Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to get you started!Declutter Like Your In-Laws Are ... 06/05/2022