Market Updates

Dec. 25, 2019

Top 10 Flooring Trends for 2020: Tile, Terrazzo, and Beyond

install-terrazo

Still have shag carpet in your spare bedroom? Cracked bathroom tile or scratched-up hardwood? Hey, it's probably time to get new floors.

More than 30% of homeowners cited flooring as what they dislike most about their homes, according to a survey by LightStream, the online lending division of SunTrust ...

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Posted in Market Updates
Dec. 9, 2019

How to Sell Your House Fast: 5 Must-Know Tips to Move Your Property

sell-house-fast

If you need to sell your house fast, you probably don't have a whole lot of time to research the current real estate market and ponder how it'll affect your home sale. You just want sales guidance from a real estate agent (here's how to find a ...

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Posted in Market Updates
Nov. 5, 2019

The One Thing Home Sellers Forget to Hide Before an Open House

open-house-pills

When getting ready to sell your house, there’s a lot to worry about—home staging, repairs, keeping rooms tidy for home tours, and more. But there’s also one important thing that many sellers forget to do: hide their prescription drugs.

Sorry to break it to you, but some "buyers" touring your ...

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Posted in Market Updates
Aug. 5, 2019

6 Surprising Things You Never Knew You Had to Do Before the Movers Arrive

do-before-movers-arrive

Moving is stressful, so you’d be forgiven if after packing the last box you thought that you were finally done. Now it’s just time to wait for the movers to arrive, right?

Not exactly.

Working with professional movers is a great option for people making big moves, moving with kids ...

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Posted in Market Updates
July 26, 2019

How Important Are Schools to Homebuyers

housing schools

 

 

Home Buyers Forego Garages for School Districts

  • 78 percent of buyers in their preferred school district gave up home features to get there
  • Most common compromises include a garage, large backyard, and updated kitchen
  • Nearly three-quarters of respondents say good schools were important to their search

 Today’s ...

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Posted in Market Updates
July 24, 2019

What Is an Amortization Schedule? Mapping Out Your Mortgage Payments

mortgage payment

What is an amortization schedule? When you borrow money to buy a home, one of the documents you’ll see is an amortization schedule provided by your mortgage lender who could be a retail bank, a mortgage bank, a mortgage broker, or other lender. The word “amortization” refers to the repayment of ...

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Posted in Market Updates
May 30, 2019

6 Ways to Embark on an Eco-Friendly Renovation

green-renovation

Eco-friendly living is all about choosing materials and practices that are beneficial to the environment. But did you know this can also include your renovation process and the materials you use?

“There are five things everyone should consider for an eco-friendlyrenovation: water conservation, air quality, energy savings, recycling, and ...

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Posted in Market Updates
May 29, 2019

Should You Do Home Upgrades Now ... or Right Before You Sell?

renovate-when

Home sellers are often told to make upgrades to their house before they sell ... but when is the best time to get those home improvements underway, in terms of scoring the best ROI?

It's a tough balance to strike. After all, the sooner you remodel your kitchen or retile ...

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Posted in Market Updates
April 30, 2019

A Guide to Mortgage Interest Rates: Why They Go Down and Up, and What to Do

finance concept

Mortgage interest rates are a mystery to many of us—whether you're a home buyer in need of a home loan for your first house or your fifth.

After all, what does “interest rate” even mean? Why do rates swing up and down? And, most important, how do you nab ...

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Posted in Market Updates, News
March 8, 2019

Home Seller Secrets: 'The Best Home-Staging Advice I've Heard, Ever'

room-staging-tips

When it comes to selling a house, appearances are everything. That's why more and more homeowners hoping to impress buyers are investing in home staging. But between decluttering, styling, and making your house look its absolute best, this process can make you want to pull your hair out.

To make this ...

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Posted in Market Updates