Lee Redwood's Blog

Staging a home is vital to making the home attractive to prospective buyers. But staging a home can often take on a life of its own. Here are 5 items that are commonly overused in home staging. 1. His and Hers Home Staging Decorations This could be anything from towels to coat hooks to umbrellas....

When selling a home, homeowners are often attracted to the idea of doing a for sale by owner (FSBO) because of the money they think they will save on commission.  However, there are many good reasons not to pursue a FSBO. 1. Inexperience Inexperienced negotiators can quickly find themselves in ho...

Buying a house is an exciting experience and moving into it a busy time – boxes to unpack, friends to notify, and finding your coffee maker. But in all that excitement, there are a few important items to take care of. When you move into a new home, make sure you do these things first. 1. First th...

You’ve decided the time has come to sell your home, so now the question is who do you work with, a small independent real estate company or one of those big national firms who have offices all over the country? Well, what it basically boils down to is one thing: the real estate agent who you’re g...

In real estate, there are so many terms and so much industry lingo, that it is easy to get lost in it all. But there are a few terms that should be clearly understood by both a buyer and seller during the negotiation when buying a house. Two of those are “offer” and “contract”. These terms are of...

There are so many different types of dwellings out there – houses, condos, and luxury properties – that many real estate agents now specialize in particular property markets.  While there are things that all agents will be familiar with, such as the neighborhood and comparable properties in the a...

Buying and selling a house are two of the largest financial transactions you will make in your lifetime.  Doing a little research, and making sure you have the right representation, can mean a difference of thousands of dollars at the end of the deal.  The real estate agent you choose will play a...

It’s no secret that the last few years have seen some wild swings in the real estate market. For the most part, the recession has brought dropping home prices and a large number offoreclosures. On that note, here are a few things to look forward to in real estate in 2012. 1. Increasing mortgage r...

Due to variations in types of renovations, cost of materials, geographical market, permits, time and resources, the cost of renovations can vary significantly. While there is no “right” price for a home renovation, here are a few tips on how to ensure you make the most out of your home improvemen...

Fixing up a deck or adding a new coat of paint is common practice for those putting a house on the market, but every once in a while these new adjustments are intended to cover up something the seller doesn’t want buyers to know. That is why it is always important to look closely at the real esta...