What sells a home? Is it the price, location, or condition? The truth is that it takes a combination of all of these factors to make a sale in today’s market. Unlike boom era transactions, the seller is now in the passenger seat. Buyers today have a great advantage. A glut of homes in many markets means that supply far outweighs demand. Buyers are able to be choosy and to negotiate sweet deals. When your home is on the market you want to...

As you start to gather up your belongings and pack them away for your move, many sellers question which items they should leave out for buyer appeal. Often the wrong items are left on display; things like family photos, personal keepsakes, and treasured belongings. All of these items should be safely packed away which very often creates open space (a plus for buyers) on shelves, refrigerator doors, and desktops. Buyers often make a decision...

Welcoming a new baby into a household can be both exciting and terrifying. How do you know that your home will fit a child’s growing needs? Is it safe and practical for an infant? These are both important questions to ponder as you prepare your current space or look for a new one. First, there are simple safety precautions all parents should take. Be sure to put plugs in all outlets. Babies are fascinated by things that are at their level...

Real estate agents use comparable sales or “comps” (properties recently sold in the area) to see what the market bears for a listing price or value range marketing. But what makes a home a good comp? A few things must line up in order for the agent to utilize the comp to justify your listing price. The same neighborhood, school district, similar street and, of course, similar housing features and size. If these things align, then a...

While the Federal Reserve has promised to keep rates “low” until 2013, it is clear to many experts that the current historical lows we are experiencing will not last. According to the latest projections from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), interest rates should gradually rise out of historic lows as we move through 2012. This isn’t the most welcome news for a housing market that has continued to falter and a...