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Home Values Have Gone Up – Can You Drop Your Mortgage Insurance?
Everyone is looking for ways to save money these days. With rampant inflation and soaring energy costs, everything is costing more than it was a year ago. The good news is that in most areas, home values rose along with everything else, and many homeowners have...
6 Factors That Could Damage Your Credit Score
Having good credit is essential for a number of aspects of your life, ranging from the interest rate on a car loan or credit card to background checks for employment. Poor credit can be incredibly expensive, costing you thousands of dollars in higher interest rates...
5 Modern Details to Update Your Traditional Living Room
The New Year is here and as soon as the holiday decorations are stored, it’s time to revive the living room space. New Year, new beginnings; your home is ready for an update just like you! Fortunately, you can get a fresh look for your living room without major...
Seller Concession Limits
The real estate market is shifting. In some areas of the country, it has flipped to a strong buyer’s market. Sellers challenged by this change are looking for creative ways to attract buyers. In addition, buyers suddenly in the driver’s seat are asking for more...
Ceiling Design Ideas That Add Impact
For most people, the only effort they place into the ceiling design is removing the old popcorn treatment. While this is certainly an important first step, there are many ways to use the ceiling to add interest and impact to any room. Considered the “fifth wall” by...
What Does “Clear to Close” Mean?
One of the best things a homebuyer can hear is, “we have ‘clear to close.’” It’s one of the biggest milestones in the mortgage lending process and means the underwriter has cleared the application to move forward to document signing and close of escrow. While a...
Buying a New Construction Home? A Few Tips To Avoid Panic
A brand-new home! Who hasn’t dreamed of creating the perfect home from scratch and moving into a space that no one has ever lived in before? There’s something special about a fresh home, but remember, new doesn’t mean perfect. And it certainly does not mean that there...
Are Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Making a Comeback?
Homebuyers have had a rough time lately. First, the frenzied housing market stymied so many offers and caused frustration due to a lack of inventory. Now that the pace and prices are starting to drop, interest rates have ticked up to alarming levels. While some buyers...
How to Use Comps to Price Your Home Correctly
The most important aspect of listing your home for sale is the asking price. Unlike many other items we purchase, home prices are based on what a willing and able buyer would pay for the property. Sounds complicated, right? This is why real estate agents bring comps (...
Tips for Buying Land for a Tiny or Prefab Home
Prefabricated homes have become very popular in recent years as more and more people look for creative ways to build their home environment. These homes can take the form of a tiny house, manufactured home, or Airstream. The demand for vacant land has increased...
Should I Move For My Job?
The question of moving for a new job is not uncommon. In the past few years, more and more companies are moving their entire operations out of high-tax states to those more business-friendly. Possible work-from-home options further complicate the decision to move with...
HOA Powers & Pets
Most homebuyers know to review the HOA (Homeowner’s Association) documents provided by the seller during disclosures to ensure the rules will not interfere with their lifestyle. Yet, once they become homeowners, often these same people do not pay attention to bylaw...