If you’re trying to decide when to sell your house, there may not be a better time to list than right now. The ultimate sellers’ market we’re in today won’t last forever. If you’re thinking of making a move, here are four reasons to put your house up for sale sooner rather than later. 1. Your House Will Likely Sell Quickly According to the Realtors Confidence Index released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes continue to sell quickly ... read more

It’s economy 101 – when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That’s what’s happening in today’s housing market. Home prices are appreciating at near-historic rates, and that’s creating some challenges when it comes to home appraisals. In recent months, it’s become increasingly common for an appraisal to come in below the contract price on the house. Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser for CoreLogic, explains it like this: “Recently,... read more

Topic today is advantages and disadvantages of using a Realtor vs doing it yourself as a FSBO.  Using a Realtor insulates you from direct contact with the public who may have interest in your home. Their representation of you in this process allows you to have someone who is skilled at helping buyers and sellers in the real estate buying/selling process. Realtors screen buyers that want to look at your home to verify whether they are prequalified to purchase so that you don’t have “looky-loos&rdquo... read more

Becoming financially secure is an important goal for many people today, but some don’t realize just how much homeownership can help them achieve that dream. A recent report, The Journey Toward Financial Freedom, surveys Americans about their perspective on financial wellness and their goals. It shows there may be a significant misconception about the role owning a home plays in building wealth: “Home ownership is one of the indicators Americans say is least connected to financi... read more

If you're considering ditching the landlord for a mortgage, here are five things I have learned that you need to know that'll help you figure out if you're ready to buy a home or keep renting. Your down payment may not be the biggest hurdle.  Let's not beat around the bush: Buying a home requires a substantial financial commitment.  Having a down payment of 5-7% can make a huge difference.  We also need to consider closing costs that are 3% to 6% depending on where you live.  If you don’t ... read more