If you're house hunting, this blog post is for you!    We’ve all been there - the excitement of finding a house that we think might be perfect, only to find out that it needs an expensive new roof or features a less-than-ideal layout. With so many decisions to make during the home buying process, it's easy to get overwhelmed and just settle on the first decent house you see. But don't worry! We're here with some hard-earned advice from our experts who can help you decide what trade-offs are worth making when searching for your next home.    

BUDGET

When it comes to getting all of the features you want in your dream house, you may have to spend more than you anticipated. This is one of the more common compromises people face…

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If the last year has taught us anything, it's that creating a home where you truly love to spend time is a necessity. With summer in full swing, many are looking forward to backyard parties, picnics, and lots of outdoor relaxation. And the data doesn’t lie! In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association reported a 65% increase in outdoor living project interest. That’s a lot of homeowners working on their outdoor spaces. Since this is such a hot topic, we did some local and national research to determine which projects homeowners are tackling this summer to enhance their outdoor spaces.  

FIRE PITS

Imagine kicking back and relaxing around a fire as the sun sets on a long summer day. If you want to be able to enjoy crackling fires in your own…

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Independence Day is right around the corner! If you’re not sure how to celebrate this year, don’t worry — we have a complete list of fun activities that are guaranteed to make this 4th of July the best one yet. From camping to barbecues to fireworks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.   

1. HAVE A BACKYARD BARBECUE

It wouldn’t be an American holiday without a backyard barbecue, would it? Invite some friends or neighbors over and start up the grill to enjoy an American classic: hot dogs and hamburgers. Don’t forget to grab a speaker to play some music and get grilling!  

2. PLAN A PATRIOTIC ROAD TRIP

Take advantage of the holiday falling over a weekend this year, and plan a road trip to celebrate! Visit some places…

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This is a question that many people are asking themselves these days: "should I rent or should I buy?" The answer may be different for everyone, but some recent trends in the housing market may mean it's time to cash in and rent.   The median US home value has been increasing steadily over the last few years, from $131,674 in January 2000 to $300,986 in December 2020. And while this increase can be attributed to inflation rates, other factors play into this, such as low mortgage interest rates (3.8% at the moment) and tight inventory levels, making it difficult for buyers to find homes.   If you're getting ready to sell your house, now might be the time to sell and rent until home sale prices stabilize once more.  

THE HOUSING MARKET…

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Well, it depends… The answer to this question is so individual and subjective that (spoiler alert) we won’t be telling you exactly what to do. Instead, we will describe the factors to consider in detail, and the three most common options sellers choose when it comes to repairs.  

3 OPTIONS TO SELL

As stated, there are many factors to consider when deciding if you should make repairs to your home or not. After the factors are narrowed down for your unique situation, you will most likely end up at one out of these three options to present your home to the market.  

SELL AS-IS

To sell a home as-is means that you are selling the property in its current state, with an understanding that no repairs will be made and that the home…

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Think back to the last time you were searching for homes... If you're actively working to find a home, that may have been just a few minutes ago.    Chances are you saw terms while searching that you may or may not know the true meaning of. This can be frustrating, especially if you've found a home that you love that has been marked "under contract."   Similarly, if you're thinking about selling your home, you may be wondering what the different stages of the process are once you've accepted an offer but before you've handed over the keys.   This blog post will peel back the curtain on 3 key real estate terms so that you know exactly what you're looking at while buying or selling.  

UNDER CONTRACT

A home is considered…

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When you are dreaming of moving to a new home but not yet ready to make the leap into your future, it’s a good idea to consider the details of what that future life will look like. As you get closer to starting the process, you should have a well-rounded idea of your wants and needs for that home. Setting expectations for yourself ahead of time will help you narrow down the search once you are ready to take the leap to purchase a new home.   So, what will your life in your new home be like? Here are 7 features to kickstart your imagination.  

BUDGET FIRST

Before you start looking, have an ideal price range in mind so you do not end up falling in love with a home you cannot afford. Leave room for money you may put into renovations and…

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A slew of real estate websites promise instant cash offers for homes, but sellers may not come out on top.

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, you’ve probably come across a bunch of websites that promise an instant (or almost instant) offer for your property — all without having ever to list with a real estate agent. These services are referred to as “iBuyers,” a nod to their existence as online companies and since the sites function as the buyers in the transaction. 

​​​​​​​While many sellers who are anxious about the process of listing their property may find the idea of quick money an attractive one, iBuyers come with a lot of strings (and costs) attached. Here are just a few reasons why  99.7% of people  are still using an expert…

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Picture this... You won the bidding war! But did you get caught up in the moment, and now you have regrets? See how you can avoid buyer’s remorse before bidding gets heated.  

SET AND STICK TO CONCRETE LIMITS WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGET

Don't bid on a home you don’t want just to beat out the competition. Consider your priorities and what matters most. Once you've set your budget, build in some artificial wiggle room if you can by looking at homes that are priced $50,000-$75,000 below the top of your budget. That way, you have some flexibility to go over asking in your offer if needed.   By setting a firm budget, you'll know that if the bidding war goes above that threshold, you'll need to move on from that house no matter how in love you…

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Whether you're thinking of selling your home and are looking to get the most bang for your buck or you need to make a few improvements around the house on a budget, this blog is for you. If you're anything like us, you've thought about which home renovations are actually worth it for your wallet and which can be passed on. We're sharing the top 4 home improvement projects that aren't worth it and highlighting the projects that won't break the bank (or your back). 
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HOME RENOVATIONS THAT DON'T PUT ???? IN YOUR POCKET

WALL-TO-WALL CARPET

Wall-to-wall carpeting is expensive and hard to maintain or clean, so it might not be a wise investment. Instead, people are using rugs to create that warmth without the commitment…

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