After reaching a plateau between 2017 and 2019, house prices in the United States saw an increase in 2020 and 2021. 

Financial experts have no reason to believe the housing market will crash like it did in 2008. However, there are some indicators that the market might return to something closer to normal — or at least cool off. Although the question of when remains in limbo, these five signs indicate a potential shift in the market. 

WHAT CREATES A "HOT" HOUSING MARKET?

All markets, including real estate, operate in cycles. In many cases, the real estate market mimics conditions within the economy. When the economy is up, the real estate market remains active because people have money to buy. 

It is also directly influenced by:

  • Mortgage…

534 Views, 0 Comments

Everything is being done online today, even selling your home. Companies like Redfin, OpenDoor, and Properly are gaining popularity, and many people are choosing to sell their property through this route. Last week was a huge week for the iBuyer model when Zillow announced that they are sunsetting their iBuyer program, but iBuyer is here to stay.

p>However, what works for one person might not be true for you. Let's look at some advantages and disadvantages of using these services to help you decide if it's right for you or not.

FIRST, WHAT’S AN IBUYER IN REAL ESTATE?

An Instant Buyer (iBuyer) is a real estate company that buys houses directly from the homeowners for cash. The way it works is simple, after logging in to the buyer's website, you…

507 Views, 0 Comments

PEOPLE SELL HOMES FOR A HUGE RANGE OF REASONS...

The reason that you want to sell your home could influence the approach you take to selling. For example, you might feel comfortable letting your house sit on the market for several months when you simply want to move to a different neighborhood. If you need to relocate for a job or to live closer to family, though, you might feel more pressure to sell your house quickly.

No matter why you want to sell your home, a Realtor can help you get the best price within a time frame that works for you.

THEY PLAN TO RELOCATE TO A DIFFERENT CITY FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

More than 49% of people say that they want to move for career advancement opportunities. Relocation for work is the most common reason…

629 Views, 0 Comments

It's fall, and we’re headed toward that time again—Halloween, with the spooky pumpkins and skeletons and plastic bats. But then again, deep in the heart of the property owner, a different fear might be growing – the fear of selling your home!

If you're thinking about accomplishing a real estate sale this fall, don't get spooked. With the right assistance from a professional real estate agent, you can move into this process with confidence, knowing that you're in good shape to sell your home.

As with those skeletons and other scary creatures, you can deal with a lot of your real estate seller fears by facing them head-on and shining some light on them. Here are some of the ways that real estate agents can help you settle your nerves before you go…

462 Views, 0 Comments

When you're selling a house, there are a lot of things to keep in mind, and you may have a significant number of questions - that's completely normal. We're here to help.

Even if it's not your first time selling a property, questions abound based on everything from the neighborhood and the current real estate market to any of the many processes around selling that may have changed since you approached this process before.

It's really in your best interests to have a professional, skilled real estate agent to bounce things off of and as an expert resource for those important questions that you have about everything that goes on between listing and the closing table.

Here are five such considerations that you might want to ask your real estate…

522 Views, 0 Comments

With only a few months left in the year, there is no better time than now to meet a few of your 2021 goals before 2022 begins.

If one of them includes selling your home, then you’ve come to the right place. Selling your home in a brief time can seem overwhelming, especially when you're juggling many other responsibilities in your life. After all, it involves clearing out and staging your home, gathering necessary paperwork, and getting your home ready to show for potential buyers.

Hiring a professional, a real estate agent, will help you do all of that and keep you in high spirits during the process.

Keep reading to learn the critical steps to getting your home ready for sale!

1. DECLUTTERING AND STAGING

The first (and biggest) step to…

579 Views, 0 Comments

It's official—fall is here! While Mother Nature works her magic outside, you can do the same inside. These easy fall home decor ideas can "autumn-atically" transform your living room, front porch, dining room, and more.

This is the time of year all about coziness and making your home as inviting as possible. We've pulled together some of the coolest fall decorating ideas that are not only impressive but aren't difficult to do. From a cozy entrance and a crackling fire in the hearth to some perfectly placed blankets and pillows, your home will come alive with the fall spirit.

And best of all, these ideas work with any budget. Many of the items you can use are already in your yard: pinecones, leaves, branches. With these easy home decorating ideas for…

450 Views, 0 Comments

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.

You’ve definitely heard how important this is in real estate — and that's because it's true! Location is a crucial factor when it comes to the value of your home. Not only does what part of town you are in matter, but what is physically near you can actually help or hinder your property value. We put together a list of the most important proximity factors that will increase as well as decrease your home value.

FACTORS THAT INCREASE HOME VALUE

SCHOOLS

Homebuyers who have children are willing to pay more to live in a home that is closer to schools, especially ones that have a good reputation and high academic scores.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

In most cases, homes that tend to be in walking distance or a short drive…

490 Views, 0 Comments

Without access to a large amount of capital, real estate investing can seem impossible. A typical home in the United States sold for $277,148 in May 2021. That’s a 13.2% increase from the previous year. As prices keep increasing, you might feel that you missed your opportunity to invest.

Don’t cancel your investment plans just yet. We have a few money-saving tips that can help you get into the real estate market.

WORK WITH A LOCAL AGENT FOR AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE

Success in real estate comes from getting back more money than you spend. You want a high return on investment (ROI) that compensates you for your time and the risk you took.

Working with local agents gives you an insider’s perspective into your area’s real estate market. Perhaps it…

506 Views, 0 Comments

When it comes to selling your home, the bells and whistles really do matter. It's about more than staging your house with updated decor; it's a matter of modern flooring, new appliances, and all the details. Of course, adding value to your home isn't cheap, but these ten Labor Day sales will help you do it on a budget.

#1 HOME DEPOT & LOWE'S

Both Home Depot and Lowe's always come through with Labor Day sales to help you get your looming projects done. Whether you're saving up to 40% off appliances or 30% off tools to power your DIY projects, either of these stores will help you add value to your home this year.

What to look for: Appliances, flooring, and major upgrades, like toilets, showers, and countertops.

#2 BEST BUY

Smart home gadgets,…

1019 Views, 0 Comments