On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This!If you're thinking of selling your house, it may be because you've heard prices are rising, listings are going fast, and sellers are getting multiple offers on their homes. But why are conditions so good for sellers today? And what can you expect when you move? To help answer both of those questions, lets turn to the data.Today, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Here are the maps of the latest buyer and seller traffic from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to help paint the picture of what this looks like:Notice how much darker the blues are on the left. This shows buyer traffic is strong today. In contrast, the much lighter blues on the right indicate weak or very wea... 04/18/2022

Conquering Cottage Kitchen ClutterCottage-style kitchens are an increasingly popular option when it comes to creating an attractive yet functional kitchen layout. These cottage kitchens usually rely on an open layout so that everything is easily accessible regardless of what you need. In lieu of bulky cabinets and endless drawers, these kitchens make heavy use of open shelving and pegboards to hold everything. It can be a very attractive look for your kitchen and a pretty functional layout as well, but if you’re not careful, it’s also an invitation for chaos.The ugly truth is that cabinets and drawers became popular because they keep all of the clutter and disarray hidden safely away and add a bit of built-in organization to the pandemonium of kitchen layouts. Do away with most of the c... 04/10/2022

The Many Benefits of HomeownershipThe past two years have taught us the true value of homeownership, especially the stability and the feeling of accomplishment it can provide. But homeownership has so much more to offer. Here's a look at a few of the non-financial and financial benefits of owning a home. If you're looking to buy a home today, think about all the ways homeownership can impact your life.Homeownership Has Impactful Personal and Emotional BenefitsOwning your home gives you a significant sense of pride because its a space that is truly yours. And as a homeowner, you can customize your home to your hearts desire. Having a space you've put your stamp on enhances the pride and sense of ownership you may feel.And that sense of ownership can extend beyond your shelter to help cre... 04/01/2022

Some Highlights With inflation driving up the cost of everyday items, seeking out an energy-efficient home can be a great way to decrease the expenses you can control. Energy efficiency can help lower your utility bills and possibly even save you money on your taxes. Options to look for include efficient appliances, windows, and solar panels. If you're planning to buy a home this year, consider energy efficiency in your search. Lets connect so you can better understand features that can save you money for years to come.   03/28/2022

Spring Cleaning Checklist for Sellers Some Highlights If you're thinking about selling your house this spring, here are some things you'll want to tackle before you list. Spend your time on tasks that make it feel inviting, show its cared for, and boost your curb appeal. To determine the full list of things you'll want to tackle for your home, you need the opinion of a trusted expert. Lets connect to help make sure your house shows well this season.    03/21/2022

Real Estate Voted the Best Investment Eight Years in a RowIn an annual Gallup poll, Americans chose real estate as the best long-term investment. And its not the first time its topped the list, either. Real estate has been on a winning streak for the past eight years, consistently gaining traction as the best long-term investment (see graph below):If you're thinking about purchasing a home this year, this poll should reassure you. Even when inflation is rising like it is today, Americans agree an investment like real estate truly shines.Why Is Real Estate a Great Investment During Times of High Inflation?With inflation reaching its highest level in 40 years, its more important than ever to understand the financial benefits of homeownership. Rising inflation means prices are increasing a... 03/05/2022

Are You Ready To Fall in Love with Homeownership? Financial benefits are always a key aspect of homeownership, but its also important to understand that the nonfinancial and personal benefits are why so many people genuinely fall in love with their homes. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of emotional attachment because of the comfort it provides, but also because its a space that's truly yours.Over the past two years, we've learned to love our homes even more as we've stayed home more than ever due to the ongoing pandemic. As a result, the personal and emotional benefits our homes provide have become even more important to us.As the most recent State of the American Homeowner from Unison puts it:Despite the upheaval and uncertainty of the past year, one thing has stayed t... 02/25/2022

Getting Ready for a Bathroom Remodel?When it comes to redoing the various rooms in your home, the bathroom is often overlooked. Some homeowners won’t even touch the bathroom unless a leak or some other problem makes it necessary. This is a really poor way to look at it, however, especially given how much time we spend in the bathroom, between bathing, getting ready to face the day, and a few other things. Your bathroom is just as deserving of attention as any other room in your home.Of course, the why doesn’t really matter; whether you’re remodeling your bathroom because you want to change its look or you’re doing it because you’re already making repairs, the time to start is almost here. The question is, how do you get ready to remodel your bathroom? Here are some things that you shoul... 02/13/2022

Owning Is More Affordable than Renting in the Majority of the CountryIf you were thinking about buying a home this year, but already pressed pause on your plans due to rising home prices and increasing mortgage rates, there's something you should consider. According to the latest report from ATTOM Data, owning a home is more affordable than renting in the majority of the country. The 2022 Rental Affordability Report says:. . . Owning a median-priced home is more affordable than the average rent on a three-bedroom property in 666, or58 percent, of the 1,154 U.S. counties analyzed for the report. That means major home ownership expenses consume a smaller portion of average local wages than renting.Other experts in the industry offer additional perspectives on renting today. In the latest ... 02/10/2022

The Color of the Year Has Been Announced!You may not be aware of it, but many paint and pigment companies choose colors that they think will be hot in the coming year. Shades of green seem to be an overwhelming favorite for 2022, with almost every company choosing some green hue as either their top pick, or part of their overall range of choices. In fact, green is so well-represented this year that there’s really only one company that seems to be bucking the green trend entirely, but it’s a big one.Pantone Color Institute, the company that actually manages color standards, broke from the pack with a significantly different choice for color of the year. Before we get to what that choice actually is, though, let’s take a moment to consider the rest of the color of the year choices from ot... 02/02/2022

Whether you’re looking to design a bedroom, a nursery, or a playroom, creating a unique space for your children is usually a bigger job than you expect. This is especially true if you want to come up with something that will stand the test of time. The wants and needs of your children will change as they get bigger, and if you don’t account for this, then sooner or later that “perfect” room you designed for your little one will be outdated and possibly even unwanted. Is there anything that you can do other than completely redesign your kids’ rooms every few years?Fortunately, the answer is yes. By taking the way that children’s needs change over time into account, you can come up with more flexible designs that are easier to adapt even as your child’s interests shift. There will still b... 01/26/2022

Is It Time for New Cabinets?Cabinets play an important part in the functionality of your kitchen. Unfortunately, over time you might find that your cabinets no longer really meet your needs. This could be because they’re falling into disrepair, or it may be a result of you gradually needing more storage than your cabinets can provide. You might even realize that the decoration of your kitchen and surrounding rooms just don’t match your cabinets anymore. Regardless of the reason, it could be time to consider some new cabinets.Have you actually reached the point where you need to get new cabinets, though? If you aren’t sure, spend a little time considering how well your cabinets truly meet your needs and what it is that you ideally want. Here are a few things to think about to help you ma... 01/23/2022

If you're on the fence about whether or not you want to sell your house this year, there's good news. For nearly two years, real estate professionals have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of buyers and sellers during the pandemic.Today, they're seasoned experts, not just in the art of buying and selling homes, but also in how to keep you safe throughout the process. Real estate professionals have learned new technologies plus safety and sanitation measures. As new variants emerge, those lessons continue to be key ways agents add value.Real Estate Advisors Stay Current on Guidance for In-Person ShowingsAgents don't leave your health up to chance. They follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to ensure in-person showin... 01/20/2022

Are you one of the many renters thinking about where you'll live the next time your lease is up? Before you decide whether to look for a new house or another apartment, its important to understand the true costs of renting in 2022.As a renter, you should know rents have been rising since 1988 (see graph below):In 2021, rents grew dramatically. According to ApartmentList.com, since January 2021:. . . the national median rent has increased by a staggering 17.8 percent. To put that in context, rent growth from January to November averaged just 2.6 percent in the pre-pandemic years from 2017-2019.That increase in 2021 was far greater than the typical rent increases we've seen in recent years. In other words rents are rising fast. And the 2022 National Housing Forecast from realtor.com proje... 01/13/2022

Shining a Light on LED UpgradesIn these, the darkest days of the year, there’s nothing more important than adequate lighting. Unfortunately, firing up those incandescent bulbs costs money, and the more hours they run, the more they cost. Although change can be hard, today’s LED bulbs are better than ever, mimicking traditional bulbs in almost every way but with significant benefits to homeowners who make the switch.LEDs Are Much Safer in Homes Incandescent bulbs get hot. Sometimes they get very hot, especially when in enclosures like ceiling can fixtures. There are endless stories about recessed lighting catching fire because the wrong wattage bulb was put in by a homeowner in an attempt to brighten their space a little. That 100-watt incandescent bulb generates significantly more heat ... 01/09/2022

Once you've found your dream home and applied for a mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close. Its exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating your new place, but before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any major life changes, be sure to consult your lender someone who's qualified to explain how your financial decisions may impact your home loan.Here's a list of things you shouldn't do after applying for a mortgage. They're all important to know or simply just good reminders for the process.1. Don't Deposit Cash into Your Bank Accounts Before Speaking with Your Bank or Lender.Lenders need to source your money, and cash isn't easily traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper... 01/08/2022

Tips for Painting Over Dark WallsHooboy. You’ve finally bought a house, but the paint is so, so dark. “It’s only paint,” you told yourself as you walked through the place, and repeated at your walkthrough prior to closing. “It’s only paint.” And while it’s true that it’s only paint, and paint can always be painted over, going over dark walls is a much different story than trying to paint over light colored walls. Reds, purples, browns, and dark grays are particularly tricky, though anything with much pigment can pose a significant challenge if you’re not prepared. But don’t worry, we’ve put our best painting tips together to help you conquer your dark wall challenges.Tip #1: Primer Is Not Optional It can be easy to scoff at basic prep work when you’re “just painting,” but as with any pr... 01/05/2022

If you're thinking of buying a home, you're probably wondering what you need to save for your down payment. Is it 20% of the purchase price, or could you put down less? While there are lower down payment programs available that allow qualified buyers to put down as little as 3.5%, its important to understand the many perks that come with a 20% down payment.Here are four reasons why putting 20% down may be a great option if it works within your budget.1. Your Interest Rate May Be LowerA 20% down payment vs. a 3-5% down payment shows your lender you're more financially stable and not a large credit risk. The more confident your lender is in your credit score and your ability to pay your loan, the lower the mortgage interest rate they'll likely be willing to give you.2. You'll End Up Payin... 12/30/2021

If you're thinking of buying a home in todays housing market, you may be wondering how strong your investment will be. You might be asking yourself: if I buy a home now, will it lose value? Or will it continue to appreciate going forward? The good news is, according to the experts, home prices are not projected to decline. Here's why.With buyers still outweighing sellers, home prices are forecast to continue climbing in 2022, just at a slower or more moderate pace. Why the continued increase? Its the simple law of supply and demand. When there are fewer items on the market than there are buyers, the competition for that item makes prices naturally rise.And while the number of homes for sale today is expected to improve with more sellers getting ready to list their houses this winter, we... 12/22/2021

Radiators have been around for a long time and are a staple of many heating systems, especially in older homes. They often provide heat throughout the winter at a lower energy cost than some other heating options, since true to their name they allow heat to passively radiate into the surrounding air. Unfortunately, some older radiator systems can require a lot of maintenance to keep in service year after year and may not be the best at providing even heat in your home.Because of this, some homeowners will consider getting rid of radiator systems even if they’re still in mostly good repair. If you’ve got one of these heating systems in your home, you might even have considered it yourself. Let’s look at the topic and see whether it’s a good idea to get rid of your system, or if you shoul... 12/19/2021