Blog
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...
6 Features of a Kitchen Remodel That Are a Waste of Money
Kitchen remodels are always popular. The pandemic has increased home improvement projects even more as people embrace the idea of staying home more. While it’s easy to find inspiration for these kitchen remodels, there are great ways to save money and still create a...
6 DIY Home Projects That Could Kill Your Home Value
Weekend TV lineups are filled with Do-It-Yourself home improvement programs. One home inspector used to call the results “six-pack projects.” While not all DIY projects end in disaster, some projects can harm home sales because buyers see these “improvements” as...
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...
Energy Vampires – Why Your Electric Bill Is So High
Does it seem like you do everything possible to lower your electric bill and still see no measurable difference in your bill? The simple reason is you may have energy vampires in your home. The good news is these creepy creatures do not require a visit from your local...
Would You Buy a Haunted House?
With the spooky season just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to get your opinion on whether or not you'd buy a house if they claimed that there was an eerie presence living in their home. So let's see how many think this... Some people might think that...