Condo vs. Single-family Home: Exploring Lifestyle Differences
Are you currently considering whether a condominium or a single-family home would be the most suitable option for your lifestyle as a prospective first-time homebuyer? One of the most common decisions homebuyers face is choosing between a condominium (condo) and a...
14 Historic Cities to Buy a Home
Buying a home in a historic city comes with many perks, and a few risks as well. Whether it's the founding of America in cities like Boston and Philadelphia or the Wild West in San Antonio and Santa Fe, there is a city that fits every type of search for a blast from...
A First Time Home Buyer’s Guide in Recession
The new year brings new predictions of an economic downturn in 2023. A survey of 30 economists by Bloomberg in December 2022 found there is a 70% likelihood of a recession in 2023. Predictions vary as to the severity and length of a recession if it happens at all....
4 Key Mistakes to Avoid When Buying and Selling at the Same Time
Many people find themselves in the situation of having to buy a new home and sell their current one at the same time. Down payments on a new home require a lot of money which is why so many people are compelled to sell before they can buy. But so much can go wrong...
5 Major Tips for Buying a Rural Home
Unless you're a die-hard city dweller, you've probably imagined from time to time what it would be like to give up the daily grind and move to the idyllic countryside. A home in the country provides fresh air, peace and security, and space to do what you want....
Survey of Buyer Agents Shows Consumers Should Be Prepared for Delayed Real Estate Closings
A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) shows that some real estate closings are already being affected by the new “Know Before You Owe/TRID” regulations that went into effect October 3. The survey went out to brokers...
7 Steps for Home Buying Success
Buying a home is a complex and expensive process, but having the right guidance makes all the difference! If you are thinking of becoming a homeowner this year, these 7 steps will help you! 1. Educate yourself with home buying information from the National Association...
Why “Pocket-Listings” are a Disadvantage to Home Buyers and Sellers
Insider trading is forbidden in the stock market, but the real estate industry has no such restriction. As listings become scarce, selling agents are taking advantage of conditions by promoting “pocket listings” to other agents, before the home is available to the...
Why “Pocket Listings” Aren’t Going Away Anytime Soon
In our prior blog post, we explained what pocket listings are, and how they are a disservice to both home buyers and sellers. As a quick refresher, a pocket listing is promoted to other agents before it’s marketed to the public. The objective of a pocket listing is a...
Why Home Buyers Should Request a C.L.U.E. Report
In our prior blog posts, we discussed contingencies and their place in the home buying process. There is one more buyer contingency worth mentioning that is little-known but very insightful – the C.L.U.E. report! C.L.U.E. stands for the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting...
Millennial Homeowners Likely to Become Repeat Buyers
Young adults have an overwhelmingly positive view of home ownership and its impact on their financial well-being, according to Bank of America’s Homebuyer Insights Report. The report surveyed 4,906 adults, including existing homeowners and prospective home buyers....
What Does Your Home Purchase Include?
When you visit a home for sale, you might assume that certain things would be included with the deal, such as the appliances, light fixtures and window treatments. Yet these items are not always included in the sale. What’s included in a home sale can vary by local...