Big Or Small: Which Size Home Is Best For You?
This can be a tricky question to answer – partly because our needs change over the years and decades. After kids leave home, maybe smaller is better but prior to that, maybe a bigger home is what you’re seeking–room for the kids, dog, and tons of the kids’ sleepover friends. The trends reflect our indecisiveness, too. Sometimes McMansions are on the rise and then there’s the complete opposite: tiny, tiny homes. In fact, you can watch fascinating shows online about families of four with a couple of dogs, moving into these...
read moreMore Americans to buy homes with 3 percent down
Mortgage giants unveil lending rules to let more Americans buy homes with 3 percent down WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Americans will soon be able to buy a home with a down payment as low as 3 percent, compared with the current minimum of 5 percent, the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac say. The new lending guidelines announced by the companies Monday are designed to help more low-income and first-time buyers afford homes. Millions of Americans lost their savings or no longer had the income needed to set aside money for a home in the...
read moreIs 2015 the year to sell your house?
Home price gains are slowing, credit is thawing and more first-time buyers may be hitting the real estate market in 2015. Better balance in the housing sector is “in” next year, as far as trends go. That’s likely to put buyers and sellers on a more even footing. Some prospective sellers sound especially bullish on housing. In a recent Trulia survey, the biggest chunk of consumers – 36% – said they expect next year to be much or a little better than 2014 for selling a home. To be sure, like politics, all real estate is local....
read moreLandscape Tips To Attract Buyers
A functional and beautiful kitchen, flowing floor plan, plenty of storage, and spacious master bathroom will help win buyers’ hearts. However, often before they see those areas, they see your landscape. It’s the curb appeal theory that I’m talking about. Some buyers will decide based on the look of the outside of your home whether they’ll even bother to come inside. If your front yard is cluttered, your exterior paint is chipped, driveway cracked, you’ll find that the for sale sign in your yard won’t...
read moreTips To Help You Decide Whether To Remodel Or Sell
As home prices increase, homeowners have options. Some are quickly gaining back the equity they lost over the last several years. That creates opportunity to maybe refinance, remodel, or sell. If you’re sitting on the fence trying to determine whether to list your home for sale or to remodel it, consider these important tips. Tip 1: Do a “Love it or List it” Analysis. On a sheet of paper write down the things you love about your home and the things that might cause you to decide to list your home for sale. Take your time...
read moreChoosing Hardwoods For Floors
The rich patina of wood floors adds beauty and elegance to any home. Older homes were once routinely constructed with hardwood floors, but that practice was abandoned in the 1950s, when new technologies made wall-to-wall carpeting available. Builders were able to build more homes faster, for the post-war baby boom, and save money on labor. But today, many homeowners prefer hardwoods to carpet. Hardwoods help give the impression that your home is well-built with quality materials. Hardwoods are easy to maintain and improve with wear, unlike...
read moreHome Trends from the 80’s Are Making a Comeback
Rev up the DeLorean and get set to go back to the future! The same decade that spawned countless classics like Top Gun, Miami Vice and Charlie’s Angels is now back in style when it comes to home interior design. While some ’80s trends — like pastel colors and neon socks — might make us shudder, others — like funky patterns and kitchen tables — deserve a second chance. Here’s a look at some ’80s trends designers have embraced and freshened up for today. Small kitchen islands: The ’80s marked the...
read moreRent or Buy: The $54,000 Question! by Judy Jones
A renter paying $900 per month for rent will pay their landlord $54,000 over 5 1ears! With that same monthly payment this renter could be a homeowner building equity and reducing taxes. A renter paying $900 per month could potentially buy a home in the price range of $120,000 to $135,000 (depending on borrower’s credit score and debts) and not increase their monthly payment (based on a $130,000 sales price, 3.875% 30 year fixed rate with an ARP of 6.177%). Plus, Mortgage Interest Rates are still at historically low levels. For example, the...
read moreWith Color, I Can Conquer the World!
Everyone has that favorite outfit, business suit, dress, tie or scarf. When that favorite piece of clothing also happens to be in your best color, you can become invincible. In sales, success hinges on confidence. When your confidence is soaring, it’s the ideal opportunity for prospecting and/or closing on sales. Knowing the color or designer that gives you that added confidence is crucial to your individual success and closing abilities. Knowing and wearing “your” color will contribute greatly to your ability to capture more listings and...
read moreRemodeling? Recoup Your Investment When You Sell
Before you pour your savings into a new kitchen and a rainforest shower for the master, think about whether or not you’ll be able to recoup your investment when it comes time to sell. If you have equity in your home, you can make improvements, but don’t go over the limit of what other buyers can spend for a home similar to yours in your neighborhood. While it’s tempting to make your home more beautiful, you have to consider the rest of your neighborhood. If most residences in your neighborhood are three-bedroom...
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