Relocating For Work

11/10/2024

If you’re toying with the idea of selling your house, you’re probably wondering how much it’ll cost. To be honest, the final number will depend on several factors like the offer you accept, if you help with your buyer’s closing costs, how many repairs you tackle, and more.

Closing Costs and Commission

These are the fees you’ll pay at the closing table to cover various aspects of the sale. You’ll have your own closing costs and you may even offer to pay some of the buyer’s as a concession.

Pre-Listing Inspection and Repairs

One optional step some sellers take is having a pre-listing inspection. It gives you an idea of what may pop up later on in the buyer’s inspection – because those are the items a buyer may ask you to toss in a credit (or concession) to cover later on.

This allows you to get a jump on any repairs and tackle them before you list, so your house is set up to impress from the start.

Home Staging

As...

If you’re toying with the idea of selling your house, you’re probably wondering how much it’ll cost.

10/10/2024

You may have heard chatter recently about the economy and talk about a possible recession. But here’s the good news – there’s no need to panic. The housing market is not set up for a crash right now.

1. Demand for Homes Is Higher than Supply

One of the biggest reasons the housing market crashed back in 2008 was an oversupply of homes. Today, though, it’s a very different story.

It’s a general rule of thumb that a market where supply and demand are balanced has a six-month supply of homes. A higher number means supply outpaces demand, and a lower number means demand outpaces supply.

2. Unemployment Is Still Low

When people are unemployed, they’re more likely to have trouble making their mortgage payments and may be forced to sell or face foreclosure. That was a big problem during the 2008 financial crisis. Today, the employment situation is much more stable.

Right now, people are working, earning an income, and...

You may have heard chatter recently about the economy and talk about a possible recession.

09/10/2024

If you’ve been wanting to sell your house and move up to a bigger or nicer home, you’re not alone. A recent Inman survey reveals the top motivator for today’s homebuyers is the desire for more space or an upgraded home. But there’s good news: now’s actually a great time to make that move happen. Here’s why.

You Have a Lot of Equity To Leverage

One of the key benefits in today’s market is the amount of equity you’ve likely built up in your current house over the years.

What does that mean for you? If you’ve been in your home for a few years, you’re probably sitting on a significant amount of equity. You can put that toward the down payment on your next home, helping keep the amount you borrow within a comfortable range.

Mortgage Rates Have Fallen, Boosting Your Purchasing Power

And there’s another big reason why now’s a great time to make your move: mortgage rates are trending down. Lower rates can help make...

If you’ve been wanting to sell your house and move up to a bigger or nicer home, you’re not alone.

08/10/2024

Affordability is based on three key factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages. And today, it’s improving quickly as rates come down, prices level off, and wages climb. If you put your search on pause because it was too expensive to buy, let’s talk about why now may be the perfect time to jump back in.

Affordability is based on three key factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages. 

07/10/2024

After months of sitting on the sidelines, many homebuyers who were priced out by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges finally have an opportunity to make their move. With rates trending down, today’s market is a sweet spot for buyers—and it’s one that may not last long.

The truth is, if mortgage rates continue to ease, as experts project, more buyers will jump back into the market. A survey from Bankrate shows over half of homeowners would be motivated to buy this year if rates drop below 6%.

With rates already in the low 6% range, we’re not terribly far off from hitting that threshold. The bottom line is, that when they drop into the 5s, the number of buyers in the market is going to go up – and that means more competition for you.

What This Means for You

Right now, you’ve got the chance to get ahead of all of that. Today’s market is a buyer sweet spot. Why? Because a lot of other buyers are waiting...

After months of sitting on the sidelines, many homebuyers who were priced out by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges finally have an opportunity to make their move.

04/10/2024

Seeing your house sit on the market without any bites is the ultimate frustration. And unfortunately, some sellers are in that tricky spot today.

According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average time a house spends on the market has increased over the past few years.

Some of that is because inventory has gone up, so buyers have more options. And higher mortgage rates have definitely slowed demand over the past two years, and that’s out of your control.

Make no mistake, with the right strategy and agent partner, your house can still sell quickly, even today.

Here are just a few tips a great real estate agent will walk you through. They may seem simple, but advice like this can make all the difference.

1. Competitive Pricing: A local real estate agent will do a competitive market analysis by reviewing recent sales and current listings for your area. Then, they’ll use that data to make sure...

Seeing your house sit on the market without any bites is the ultimate frustration.

03/10/2024

Nationally, home values are actually rising, even if the median price is down a bit. Let’s break down what’s really happening so you can make sense of the market without getting caught up in the fear the headlines create.

Homes on the Market Right Now Are Smaller

The biggest reason for the dip in median price is the size of homes being sold. The median price reflects the middle point of all the homes for sale at any given time. And that’ll be affected by the mix of homes on the market.

Right now, there’s a greater number of smaller, less expensive homes on the market, and that’s bringing the overall median price down. But that doesn’t mean home values are declining.

Price Per Square Foot Is Still Rising

This means that while smaller homes are affecting the median price, the average home’s value is still rising.

So, while headlines may make it sound like prices are crashing, you don’t have to worry. With a closer look...

Recent headlines have been buzzing about the median asking price of homes dropping compared to last year, and that’s sparked plenty of confusion.

02/10/2024

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a question a lot of people have these days. And while what’s right for you is going to depend on a lot of different factors, here’s something you’ll want to consider as you make your decision.

As soon as you buy, you’ll start gaining equity. And you’d be surprised how quickly that can add up – even with more moderate home price appreciation.

Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey. It asks over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists what they forecast for home prices over the next five years. In the latest release, experts project prices will continue to rise nationally through at least 2028.

And while rising home prices may not sound great right now, once you own a home, that growth will be a big bonus for you.

So, if you’re ready and able to buy, and growing your wealth is important to you...

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a question a lot of people have these days.

01/10/2024

That’s right—according to a recent study from Zillow, in 22 of the 50 largest metro areas, monthly mortgage payments are now lower than rent payments.

As mortgage rates have eased off their recent peak, home prices have moderated, and inventory has ticked up, affordability has improved significantly. When you add all of that up, it’s getting less expensive to buy a home than to rent one in many parts of the country.

You see, talking with a local real estate agent about what’s happening in your market before this happens in your ideal neighborhood could really change the game for you. It’s all about being informed by a true expert, and understanding what was out of reach before might actually be getting more affordable than you think.

Now, while this study compares monthly rent to principal and interest on a mortgage payment (not the whole monthly payment), let’s think through this. As Zillow notes, what you can’t...

That’s right—according to a recent study from Zillow, in 22 of the 50 largest metro areas, monthly mortgage payments are now lower than rent payments.

01/09/2024

Winter, spring, summer, or fall, every season is selling season! If you thought there was an off-season in real estate, think again. With us, the only thing that is out of season is not selling your house! 🏡✨ Ready to sell? Let\'s make every season your selling season!

01/09/2024

Feeling unsure about taking the plunge into homeownership? Let us reframe that! Here are some reasons why the present is always the best time to invest in real estate: 1️⃣ Build Equity: Instead of paying rent, start building equity in your own property. 2️⃣ Stable Investment: Real estate is one of the most reliable long-term investments. 3️⃣ Personalized Space: Create a home that truly reflects your style and needs. 4️⃣ Tax Benefits: Enjoy potential tax deductions on mortgage interest and property taxes. 5️⃣ Appreciation: Property values tend to increase over time, growing your investment. Remember, there is no perfect time to buy a home—it is about finding the right time for you. Ready to explore your options?

08/07/2024

Looking for ways to lower the cost of ? These home improvements can do the trick.

Looking for home improvements that would get you the best ROI? Here are renovation projects that will improve your home life and lower your insurance premium.

08/07/2024

THIS IS IT! The home you've been looking for. 4 bed and 3 bath. Check out the tour:

Explore modern luxury in this recently built home nestled in Gastonia's desirable Nolan Farm neighborhood. Boasting an open floor plan, 4 bedrooms plus loft, and a 2-car garage, this residence offers seamless living. Enjoy the sleek kitchen, luxurious master suite, and level lot for outdoor activiti...

06/07/2024

What do you think? Do kitchens need to be repainted more often than other rooms?

Our kitchens take a lot of wear and tear, so they may need a more frequent repaint in order to look their freshest.

06/07/2024

The long house hunt is finally over. Contact me now for a showing!

Welcome home to Church Street in vibrant Mount Holly-- close to shopping, schools, restaurants, and local amenities! Built in 2021, this home features 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Enter into an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and LVP in the main living area. Enjoy a large kitchen with gran...

05/07/2024

Planning a trip to Montana? Here’s what you need to know.

These are the best times to go to Montana for your ideal outdoor adventure.

04/07/2024

Celebrate the free spirit of this great nation today! Happy !

03/07/2024

Installing smart locks in your home? Here’s what you need to know.

Homeowners who prefer to not think about house keys may wonder “How much do smart locks cost?” For many, the price is worth it for convenience and security.