The winter season has traditionally been a slower time for home sales. The guidance in the past has been to wait for the warmer months of spring before listing. However, the current real estate market has created a strong seller’s market and if you’re considering a move, it may be better to sell now rather than risk a slowdown if interest rates rise in the coming months. 

Well-priced homes have always attracted the most buyers and offers. Often these proposals varied in strength, allowing

Your home does not need to be in a designated flood zone to be affected by water intrusion and damage. The process to repair and retrofit water damage costs homeowners millions of dollars each year. Regardless of the location of the home, simple checks and changes can help protect your property from flood and water damage before the storm comes. 

• Research – It’s time to become a water detective. Look for dangers in and around the home. Check drainage and look

Over the past couple of months, home price acceleration appears to have peaked. Keep in mind, though, that doesn’t mean home values will depreciate. It just means the rate of appreciation will slow, yet stay well above the 25-year average of 5.1% in most areas. 

The recent surge in prices has been the result of heavy buyer demand and a shortage of homes available for sale. Most

It was only a matter of time until home designers looked to the 1980s for inspiration. Showrooms are looking more like a TV set of the Golden Girls rather than the bland, gray-toned backdrops of the past few years. Color, shapes, and playfulness are making a comeback. Bringing rooms back to life is the theme for this design trend:

What’s New? 

• Round Shapes – Gone are the sharp edges and squared-off furniture. Round tables, sofas, and chairs are

For decades, homeowners with equity have used home equity lines of credit (HELOC) to finance their home improvement projects. These HELOC loans act like a checking account, drawing money against the equity in the home to use for a variety of larger purchases, including home remodel projects. Once tax-deductible, these loans were also used to pay off high-interest credit cards, making these loans very popular with homeowners. 

Unfortunately, the market crash of 2008 changed all this. During the drop in home prices and resulting lender collapse,

More than  one  seller  has  been surprised to  find that  their  favorite  chandelier  is not  theirs  to  take  when  they  move.  First-time  home  sellers  might  be  especially confused  when confronted  with  an  exclusion form  presented  by  their  agent,  but understanding  what  is,  and is  not  included in the  sale  by  statute  is  important  to avoid  disappointment  on both  sides.   

The  first  rule  of  thumb is  to  consider  if  the  item  is  nailed  down,  bolted,  mounted, or  planted.  This  covers  a 

Tight labor markets are affecting industries across the country. Skilled and unskilled jobs remain unfilled as employers struggle to find prospective employees. For anyone ready to hire a contractor or handyman to perform home improvement projects, this shortage is causing frustration. As more people embrace the “staycation” and seek ways to

Owning a home may feel like a never-ending list of to-dos. It can feel like all you do is clean and maintain your house and yard. There is a lot of truth to this, but homeownership is one of the best ways to increase wealth, so maintaining your investment is critical to your financial well-being. 

Surprisingly, the roof is one of the most overlooked maintenance items of the home. Set above normally eye level, often the first sign of a problem with the roof is a major leak. Before this happens to you, take a proactive look at these

Everyone expects to sign a contract when choosing a listing agent to help them sell their home. They understand that the agent needs to be protected as they spend out-of-pocket, upfront costs for marketing and other expenses. But often homebuyers are surprised when their buyer’s agent presents them with an exclusivity contract before taking them out to see homes. What is it, and should you sign it? 

This first question is, why would a buyer’s agent want to have a contract with a homebuyer anyway? The answer is

An unexpected byproduct of the pandemic has been a booming housing market. As Covid-19 hit the country, the housing supply was already low, and the lockdown depressed the volume even more. As more homebuyers began looking for new homes, fueled by the ability to work-from-home and low interest rates, sellers have been experiencing a strong seller’s market. 

As we end 2021, however, signs may start to point to a market slowdown. Interest rates are starting to rise, and the