If you’re about to list your home to sell, you may have heard that staging is a good idea. What does this mean, exactly? How much does it cost to stage a house? More importantly, is the expense worth the investment?
Continue reading “How Much Does It Cost to Stage a House?”Does Your Home Make You Happy?
After a few years of occupying the same old house filled with the same old furnishings, it’s easy to feel uninspired by your surroundings. Fortunately, you can revitalize your living space and boost your mood by making a few simple and inexpensive changes. Here are seven updates to try.
Continue reading “Does Your Home Make You Happy?”A 4-Step Downsizing Plan for Buying a Smaller Home
There are many reasons to move to a small home. Maybe you want to save money with a lower mortgage or have fewer rooms to keep clean.
Continue reading “A 4-Step Downsizing Plan for Buying a Smaller Home”How Much Do You Need for a Down Payment?
As you begin your home-buying journey, one of the first steps is to save up for a down payment. Many people think you must put 20% down, but this notion is outdated and no longer the only option for getting into a house. In fact, the median down payment in 2019 was 12%. This figure drops to 6% for first-time buyers and increases to 16% for repeat buyers. Depending on your loan type and credit score, you could put down as little as 3%. And if you qualify for a VA or USDA loan, you may be able to buy a house with $0 down.
Continue reading “How Much Do You Need for a Down Payment?”Why Selling Your House with a Real Estate Agent is Essential
Buying or selling a home is the largest transaction most people will ever make. While it’s legal to sell on your own, this route is not recommended, even in a seller’s market like the one we’re in now. Here’s a closer look at why it’s essential to have a real estate agent to guide you at every turn.
Continue reading “Why Selling Your House with a Real Estate Agent is Essential”Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022
Are you among the many renters looking for a new place to live in 2022? Perhaps you’re relocating for work, want to live closer to family, or have another reason to move when your lease is up. Whatever the case, you may be shocked at the asking price for rent these days, especially if your landlord has kept your rate pretty stable. Before you get into a new apartment rental, learn more about rising rents and why this could be the year to buy a house.
Continue reading “Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022”What to Include in Your Final Walkthrough Inspection
A final walkthrough inspection is the critical last step of buying a house. If the seller previously agreed to make repairs, this is your chance to check them out. A last-minute walkthrough also ensures the house is exactly the way you expect it to be when you move in. There’s a lot to think about, so it’s wise to bring this checklist with you to make sure you don’t overlook anything.
Continue reading “What to Include in Your Final Walkthrough Inspection”8 Steps for House Hunting in Ohio
As with other complex decisions, buying a house involves a series of steps. If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Ohio, we recommend following these eight steps to move the process forward quickly and smoothly.
Continue reading “8 Steps for House Hunting in Ohio”8 Tips for Staging Your Home
When you decide to sell your home, you want to attract buyers far and wide. An effective way to put your home’s best foot forward is by staging it to Instagram-worthy perfection. Home staging is not the same as decorating. Instead of instilling your personal style into the space, your goal is to make your home appeal to the largest pool of buyers possible.
Continue reading “8 Tips for Staging Your Home”Why You Should Work with a Realtor
The real estate industry in 2022 is vastly different from what it was two decades ago. It has even seen tremendous change in the past two years, what with the upheaval of the housing market due to COVID-19. Thanks to the advent of the internet and the recent emphasis on social distancing, shopping for a home has gone almost completely digital.
Continue reading “Why You Should Work with a Realtor”