Blog

What does a real estate agent actually do?

by Alexa Russell

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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 Alexa Russell

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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 Getting Pre-Approved Is Your First Step to Homeownership Success

by Alexa Russell

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Why Getting Pre-Approved Is Your First Step to Homeownership Success Turning Dreams into Reality Without the Nightmares Buying a home is a dream many share, but the journey from aspiration to acquisition can be fraught with challenges if you're unprepared. In today’s dynamic real estate market, getting your offer accepted isn't just about finding the right property—it's about presenting yourself as the ideal buyer. Let's navigate this journey together, ensuring...

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Why You Should Have A Home Inspection Before You List

by Alexa Russell

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Why You Should Have A Home Inspection Before You List One of the largest home sale killers is the home inspection. Nearly one-third of all terminated real estate contracts fall apart because of the inspection results. Inspections also ranked as the number three cause of delayed settlements, accounting for 13 percent. For some reason - and I’ll never get it - a home inspection that comes back with anything less than a perfect report strikes fear into the hearts of buyer agents and...

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

by Mai Chang

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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 Mai Chang

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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 Mai Chang

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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 Mai Chang

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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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To Stage or Not to Stage Your Home for Sale

by Mai Chang

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To Stage or Not to Stage Your Home for Sale Up until the early 2000’s, most home buyers would have only experienced the eye-popping appeal of home staging if they went and visited a model home at a new construction site. Builders know that it’s much easier for people to make a home-buying decision when they see a home decorated beautifully and set up like someone lives there. These days, staging is highly recommended whether the home is brand new or currently occupied because...

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What's the right amount of money to spend in upgrading your home?

by Mai Chang

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What's the right amount of money to spend in upgrading your home? You’re wanting to freshen up your house a little bit and you’ve already determined what you think you should do to make it amazing for you to really enjoy it. Before you jump into your renovation project, make sure you set a budget so you can spend the right amount of money upgrading your home. Without a plan and a budget, you can spend tons of money on all kinds of neat options — from a new marble island-top...

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