Why You Should Get a Home Warranty When You List Your Home
by Melody Tuttle

Why You Should Get a Home Warranty When You List Your Home Home warranties aren’t just for buyers anymore. In the past, buyers have asked sellers to pay for a home warranty to give them a year of protection after it sells on roughly 16 major systems in the house including things like the electrical system, appliances, hot water heater, furnace, etc. Overall, it makes sense because the first time claim on a home warranty for most buyers runs around $1,500 to 1,600 plus a deductible...
Read MoreHow to Qualify for a No Money Down Home Purchase
by Melody Tuttle
How to Qualify for a No Money Down Home Purchase Unlocking the Door to Homeownership In today's ever-evolving real estate market, the dream of owning a home might feel just out of reach—especially when faced with the challenge of saving for a down payment. But here's some uplifting news: even in today’s climate, there are exceptional loan programs that can help you purchase a home with little to no money down. Let's explore the best options available and guide you...
Read MoreHow much money will go into your pocket after your home is sold?
by Melody Tuttle

How much money will go into your pocket after your home is sold? It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep that matters. This holds especially true when it comes to the sale of your home. The sales price you see at the top of the closing paperwork is rarely, if ever, the amount of money that ends up in your pocket as the seller. There are often a variety of costs and fees associated with getting a home sold, so it’s important that you understand exactly what you’re...
Read MoreHow much should you offer on the home you fell in love with?
by Melody Tuttle
How Much Should You Offer on the Home You Fell in Love With? Navigating the Home Buying Process in Today's Market You've spent months searching, and now you've found the home of your dreams. The next crucial step is determining how much to offer to make that dream a reality. In today's dynamic real estate market, crafting a compelling offer requires strategy, research, and a touch of finesse. Here's how to navigate this important phase of your home buying journey. Understanding...
Read MoreNavigating Home Buying: Overcoming Deal Breakers and How to Fix Them
by Jordan Karnes
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...
Read MoreOwning vs. Renting in Today's Market: Making the Right Choice for Your Future
by Jordan Karnes
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...
Read MoreProperty tax assessment too high...what you can do about it?
by Jordan Karnes

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...
Read MoreHow to sell a home that didn't sell
by Jordan Karnes

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...
Read MoreTo Stage or Not to Stage Your Home for Sale
by Jordan Karnes

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...
Read MoreWhat's the right amount of money to spend in upgrading your home?
by Jordan Karnes

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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