Local Real Estate News & Market Trends

You’ll find our blog to be a wealth of information, covering everything from local market statistics and home values to community happenings. That’s because we care about the community and want to help you find your place in it. Please reach out if you have any questions at all. We’d love to talk with you!

Feb. 17, 2023

Side Hustle Your Way to a Down Payment

One of the biggest financial goals for many is to save up enough money for a down payment on a house. For those who don’t have access to family wealth or are having trouble scraping together the funds, side hustles can be an invaluable source of income. Here are six great side hustles that can help you quickly and easily save for a down payment: 

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Feb. 8, 2023

The Clear to Close Milestone

One of the best things a homebuyer can hear is, “we have ‘clear to close.’” It’s one of the biggest milestones in the mortgage lending process and means the underwriter has cleared the application to move forward to document signing and close of escrow. While a critical stage for the sale, this is not the final step in closing on a home. There are several

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Feb. 3, 2023

Ways to Avoid Damaging Your Credit Score

Having good credit is essential for a number of aspects of your life, ranging from the interest rate on a car loan or credit card to background checks for employment. Poor credit can be incredibly expensive, costing you thousands of dollars in higher interest rates over the course of a home loan. Fortunately, with proper care and attention paid to your finances, it is possible to maintain a good credit rating.

Here are six factors that could damage your credit score:

  • Not paying your bills on time - Bills not paid within 30 days can be reported to the credit bureaus.

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Jan. 27, 2023

Buying a Home With IRS Debt

Owing money to the IRS is unsettling for anyone. It’s also very easy to find oneself in that position. Many people are shocked to discover that they inadvertently miscalculated the amount of taxes owed either at the end of the year or from a previous year. There are also unexpected events that can cause a tax event such as a windfall profit or

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Jan. 18, 2023

Tips on Buying New Construction

A brand-new home! Who hasn’t dreamed of creating the perfect home from scratch and moving into a space that no one has ever lived in before. There’s something special about a fresh home, but remember, new doesn’t mean perfect. And it certainly does not mean that there won’t be imperfections, small or large, to contend with.

One of the most important things to understand up front is what does your warranty cover? A builder’s warranty covers

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Posted in Home Buyers
Jan. 12, 2023

Tips To Maximize Garage Space

If it seems that new homes these days have included garages better suited for a Tonka truck than a real one, it’s not your imagination. With land at a premium, home builders can maximize the living space square footage by skimping on the garage size. As a result, many homeowners are lucky to fit one car in their two-car garage. But there are ways to make the most of the space you have by employing a few simple tips.

Maximize the Space in a Small Garage

  • Use the wall space by adding brackets, hooks, or shelves.
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Jan. 6, 2023

Now is Still a Great Time to Sell

Sellers all over the country are confused and worried they may have missed the best time to sell their house. Prices are dropping, mortgage rates are rising, and the pace has slowed but the impact on any individual seller is unclear.

While the days of any home selling for any price are behind us, the current housing market is still strong. The biggest

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Dec. 30, 2022

2023 Design Trends

A common regret around taking down the holiday decorations is how bare the home looks suddenly. Fortunately for anyone ready to upgrade their design in 2023, new trends are offering more comfort and coziness than we’ve seen lately.

For the past few years, home designers have created a blend of minimalism and simplicity in their home styles. This

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Dec. 23, 2022

Is it Time to Consider an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

Homebuyers have had a rough time lately. First, the frenzied housing market stymied so many offers and caused frustration due to lack of inventory. Now that the pace and prices are starting to drop, interest rates have ticked up to alarming levels. 

While some buyers are postponing their purchase, those still in the market are starting to consider more creative

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Dec. 16, 2022

Using the Right Comps to Price Your House Correctly

The most important aspect of listing your home for sales is the asking price. Unlike many other items we purchase, home prices are based on what a willing and able buyer would pay for the property. Sounds complicated, right? This is why real estate agents bring comps (short for comparable properties) information with them to the discussion. Yet are you using the right comps to successfully sell your home?

The idea is to gather information about comparable properties that have sold recently that are similar to your own. The

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