Blog

Why you should wait to buy that car until after your home purchase?

by Cynthia Bondy

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Why you should wait to buy that car until after your home purchase Getting preapproved for a mortgage is a major step in buying a home. In fact, it’s a virtual necessity to secure a home in this market environment if you’re not paying cash. The great news is, when done properly, it’s like having cash in your hands so you can negotiate effectively with a seller to buy a home. It’s easily one of the most important things you can do in order to buy the home of your...

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What does a real estate agent actually do?

by Cynthia Bondy

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What Does a Real Estate Agent Actually Do? If you’ve ever wondered what a real estate agent actually does all day, you’re not alone. It’s easy to think agents just show homes and sign deals, but there’s so much more that goes into the job. Real estate agents wear a lot of different hats and are involved in pretty much every part of the buying or selling process. The truth is, being a real estate agent isn’t just about opening doors and giving tours. It’s...

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What happens when you overprice your home?

by Cynthia Bondy

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What happens when you overprice your home? When the real estate market favors sellers, it’s almost like there’s a feeding frenzy among buyers trying to secure listings that seem to get snapped up within hours of being put on the market. Such demand drives the prices of homes up rapidly, which only feeds into the perception that the good times will last forever. Unfortunately, trees don’t grow to the sky and there will always be a top of the market. What this means is...

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Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money

by Jon Stith

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Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money Plain and simple, the quality of your landscaping determines whether or not your home feels inviting from the outside. Curb appeal is what people call it and it’s a key ingredient in the decision to buy a home to more than 71 percent of homebuyers. As you know, landscaping plays a huge role in the curb appeal that you present to prospective buyers for your home. The first impression is key: if buyers don’t like...

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Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling?

by Jon Stith

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Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling Who knows your home better than you? The short answer is: nobody. And because of that, you should take the time to make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home before you put it on the market. You see, if you like those things about your house, then so will someone else. And, in an effort to help your agent get your home sold faster and for more money, it will help if you point out...

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Marketing Strategies: Luxury homes vs average priced homes

by Jon Stith

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Marketing Strategies: Luxury homes vs average priced homes   As you can imagine, driving up demand for a luxury home takes a uniquely different approach than does selling a regular home. From the word go, you need a strong, clear and focused strategy that details how it will position your luxury home above the ordinary, illustrating and marketing its unique features in the proper manner to the perfect buyer at the perfect price. There are some very different ideas, thoughts and...

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Navigating Home Buying: Overcoming Deal Breakers and How to Fix Them

by Jon Stith

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Navigating Home Buying: Overcoming Deal Breakers and How to Fix Them Your Home is Under Contract—What's Next? Congratulations! You've put your dream home under contract, and the excitement of moving in is building. But before you can turn the key to your new front door, there's a journey ahead filled with important steps: home inspections, appraisals, financing paperwork, and contingencies that are crucial for a successful closing. Let's walk through what you can expect...

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Owning vs. Renting in Today's Market: Making the Right Choice for Your Future

by Jon Stith

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Owning vs. Renting in Today's Market: Making the Right Choice for Your Future   Weighing Your Options: The Big Decision Deciding whether to own a home or continue renting is one of the most significant financial and lifestyle choices you'll make. This decision not only impacts your monthly budget but also influences your long-term financial health and personal happiness. Today, as the real estate landscape continues to evolve, understanding the pros and cons of each option...

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Property tax assessment too high...what you can do about it?

by Jon Stith

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Property tax assessment too high...what can you do about it? An increase in home values is great because it increases the equity in your home without you having to invest more money in making it happen. Unfortunately, as the price of your home increases, so does the perceived value of your home in the eyes of your local tax assessor. When that happens, your taxes also go up. The bad news is that your tax rate - the annual percentage of your home’s value that you pay - is fixed...

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How to sell a home that didn't sell

by Jon Stith

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How to sell a home that didn't sell The real estate market has been a little crazy lately. Despite that, we’re still looking at homes selling for a great price when they are priced properly based on current market conditions. So, if your "for sale" sign has been sitting on your front lawn a lot longer than you expected, you might be wondering how to sell your home that didn’t sell when you thought it would. As a best practice, it is ideal to consult your real...

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