It can feel like you need to learn a whole new language when applying for a mortgage. Terms like APR, origination fee, and debt-to-income ratio are thrown around, and most of it sounds like a foreign concept. One mortgage component that can cost or save you thousands of dollars is the discount point.
Read MoreMost people think of the obvious steps for staging a home. They know to apply a fresh coat of neutral paint, how to declutter, and fix any resounding maintenance issues. But many are left wondering what the house will look like once it has been decluttered and all personal items have been removed. Will the house be inviting to potential buyers, or will it appear stark and cold? The key to appeal to buyers through home staging, especially during the winter months, is to add Hygge into your house.
Read MoreRecently, the ever increasingly frightening word of “recession” has been uttered from the mouths of some financial experts. Some imply that a recession is impending for the country and others think it is just hype. However, we often don’t know we are in a recession until it has already started. Despite home prices only retreating in two recessions since 1980, American homeowners still have a big reaction to the word recession after what we went through just a mere decade ago. Here are some ways to safeguard yourself against a recession affecting your wallet and lifestyle.
Read MoreBuying a home is an exciting process to embark on. It is a time to dream about your future home and the memories you’ll make in it, but also a time of holding your breath hoping that everything will go smoothly. Once the trusted real estate professional to help them navigate the market is on board, then they are faced with the seemingly daunting task of securing a mortgage pre-approval.
Read MoreHomeowners try to upgrade their home with resale value in mind. However, not all home improvements will yield added value to the property. Which improvements will give you the best return on investment so you can strategize on what to do before you list your house?
Read MoreHomeowners ask me all the time, “When is the ideal time to sell?” In my opinion, there are opportunities for buyers and sellers in every market and every season. Timing a sale, unless you are an investor, should really be focused on where you will live your best life. If you need another bedroom because your family is growing, your family’s comfort is more important than the gain you might make on a home sale because you will probably gain on the next purchase anyway. But if you are trying to time the market for a sale, here are some things to keep in mind:
Read MoreLet’s talk about storms in Seattle. Just this past weekend, we had a couple of events surrounding a Friday night thunderstorm. The first one of the events is that a neighbors’ house was struck by lightning. No one was hurt, but there were literally holes in her ceiling and through the walls. Simultaneously, unbeknownst to us, our rental was flooding from all of the rain. Needless to say, storms and “acts of God” are on the mind and can be pretty expensive and difficult to deal with.
Read MorePlants are having a moment right now. But throughout time, they are instrumental in adding fresh air, texture, and color in a space. Here is a little more background on the resurrection of plants. Thank you millenials!
Interior designers and stagers know the importance of plants when creating an indoor Zen-like experience. Plants don’t just soften the edges of geometric furniture; houseplants give a space a well-lived in look and can actually help sell your home.
Read MoreWhen interest rates are low, it’s an exciting time for Real Estate. Buyers have more purchase power, more options, and are setting themselves up for success over the lifetime of their loan.
When buyers enter the real estate market and consider their budget, they think of what their monthly mortgage payment will be. Most consider if they can afford that payment within their monthly income. The thought about how much of that payment is going to interest is most often an afterthought.
Read MoreWe’ve been thinking about short term and long term goals at our house lately. It’s been so much fun to dream up a new landscape as we get the boys through high school. One goal that continues to pop up is the idea of buying a vacation property. Turns out, there is a lot to think about when traveling down this path. Here are some things to keep in mind.
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