Buying a new house is so exciting because it offers the chance to truly change the way you live. It also presents new challenges and opportunities. Some buyers want to make home renovations or improvements right away. Others just want to make any necessary fixes and start enjoying their new home. Whether you’re buying a fixer-upper or something more turnkey, here are the top house renovations you need to complete ASAP.
Category: Helpful Tips
2021 Housing Market: What Buyers Need to Know
Updated 2/8/2021
If you held off on buying a home in 2020, no one can blame you. It was a year marked by volatility, with the COVID-19 pandemic creating economic uncertainty across industries, causing many to worry about their own financial future. Meanwhile, many housing markets remained red hot with high prices and homes selling in only one or two days. For many, it all just felt too chaotic to move during this time. But with the arrival of vaccines and the end of the pandemic hopefully coming closer, many buyers are turning their attention to the new year. Here’s a look at the 2021 housing market and what prospective buyers need to know about home buying in 2021.
Staging a Home: How to Choose the Right Home Stager
Staging a home is one of the best ways to increase the selling price of your home without making significant improvements or repairs prior to sale. But it is an investment, so you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. That means choosing a staging company that has the right services and products to match your home and your budget. Here’s how to find the right home stager and how to use a home staging checklist to maximize the value of your home.
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“Staging a Home: How to Choose the Right Home Stager”
Questions for Your Real Estate Agent: What They Might Not Tell You
When buying or selling a house, your agent is supposed to act as your expert guide, answering questions and offering advice to help you get the best deal possible which is why finding a good real estate agent is important. But sometimes they don’t have all the answers, or rather, they won’t give you the answers. Why? The reason, in a nutshell, is fair housing laws. Because of restrictions put in place by the Fair Housing Act to prevent housing discrimination based on race, religion, sex, nationality, familial status or disability, there are some things agents simply can’t legally tell you. Even making somewhat vague comments could be interpreted as showing bias and fall on the wrong side of the law. So, here are some questions for your real estate agent that they might not answer and how you can still get the information you need.
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Write a Letter to Buy a House – Tips for Writing a Personal Letter to Sellers
Many housing markets are extremely competitive, with multiple offers coming in for desirable homes, especially moderately priced ones. So, if you find a house that you love, you need to do everything you can to make the strongest possible offer. For years, real estate experts have recommended writing a personal letter to a home seller to explain why you want to buy the house. But in the age of technology, many people wonder, “Do I really need to write a letter to buy a house?” The short answer is yes. A personal letter is your opportunity to make a meaningful connection that motivates the seller to accept your bid. Let’s look at some tips for writing a strong personal letter as well as some special considerations for heroes.
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How to Improve Curb Appeal When Selling Your Home
What your home looks like on the outside surely doesn’t matter as much as the quality of the interior, the number of rooms, etc. But ask anyone who’s tried to sell an “ugly home” and they’ll tell you that curb appeal matters. In fact, the National Association of REALTORS says that “homes with high curb appeal tend to sell for an average of 7% more than similar houses with an uninviting exterior,” and that number can climb to 14% in slower markets. Good curb appeal also helps sell your home faster. So, making a few small upgrades can produce great return on investment (ROI), and improving your curb appeal on a budget is possible. Here are some tips on how to improve curb appeal when selling your home.
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How are Property Taxes Calculated? What to Know When Buying a Home
Taxes are nobody’s favorite thing, and most of us would rather just not think about them. But they are an important part of home ownership and need to be a consideration as you begin the home buying process. Many first-time home buyers who are unfamiliar with the details often wonder, “How are property taxes calculated, how do I pay them and how often?” To help you navigate what can seem like a complex and difficult issue, here’s everything you need to know about property taxes.
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Negotiating House Price Tips for Sellers
In the real estate world, the list price of a home is somehow both extremely important and ultimately meaningless. Yes, buyers use price as a major factor in their home search, and sellers and agents spend lots of time figuring out what a home is worth to develop a good pricing strategy. But in the end, the list price is just a jumping off point as you enter negotiating house price with the buyer. The actual sale price will be determined during the negotiation process. While this can be a bit intimidating to some home sellers, it’s a crucial part of selling your home. Here are some tips for how to get the upper hand in negotiations and come away with the best price for your house.
Back to School 2019 – 14 Tips Save Time and Money
Are you ready for the kids to be back in school or do you prefer the summer vacation way of life? Regardless, times are changing soon for families across the country as kids head back to school. That means some things need to get done so your family is prepared. To make going back to school 2019 easier, we’ve assembled 14 helpful tips to get the family ready and save you some money!
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What is Homes for Heroes?
What is Homes for Heroes? In short, we’re an organization dedicated to honoring the heroes in American communities by helping them save money when buying, selling or refinancing a home or mortgage. But our mission extends much further than that. We look to build partnerships with real estate, mortgage and local business specialists to build a community that supports heroes any way we can.