Sure, 2016 has already started, but much of the year still lies ahead for people to enter the real estate market! Whether you’re involved in renting out multifamily units, flipping homes, or buying your first piece of real estate, you’ll want to understand the space in such a way that will allow for success. Real […]
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Are you into flipping properties? Here is some advice from the Realty Goddess: Money is made at the buy, not the sell of your flip. When flipping a house your money is made at the purchase not at the sell of the house. So, many times people buy a house with the intentions of making […]
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If you’re looking to sell your home, setting the right price is essential. This info graphic on our Pinterest page looks at the top 4 most common pricing mistakes:
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It’s a sellers market. Inventory is low and the economy is rebounding, so if you’ve been thinking about selling your home now may be the time. If you are looking to sell, it’s important to note that the process of selling your home starts months before making your property available. That’s why we have created […]
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These are the 8 dirtiest places in your home…… Undersides of rugs Kitchen garbage disposal Kitchen vent hood Kitchen crevices Ceilings and ceiling fans Around the toilet Debris-filled crawlspace Dryer vents When getting ready to put your home on the market, make sure these little places are sparkling clean. Buyers do look! If these places […]
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If a messy garage is driving you crazy, here’s how to steer things back on course. 1. Clear the clutter. You may have to haul everything out onto the driveway. Group items into 4 piles: toss, recycle, donate or sell. Get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past year. 2. Make a plan. Now […]
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The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently launched the first housing discrimination mobile application (app) for iPhone and iPad. Developed by HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and Hewlett Packard (HP), the app uses the latest technology to provide consumers with a quick and easy way to learn about […]
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Kitchens and baths still reign as King & Queen of the home remodel scene and consistently return their value at resale. But, make sure your remodels are done wisely. Visual appeal is often more important over expensive usefulness. Depending on the home and the area, adding a bath or expanding a kitchen is a wiser […]
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Claiming your home office on your taxes has been difficult. You’ve needed a separate form, separate receipts, utility estimations and expense estimations just for that room. But, starting in 2014 things might get easier come tax time. There will be a new form option for you to file. Here’s a quick overview: • There will […]
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Ask me and I’ll tell you that in my 28+ years in real estate, a well kept, well-appointed home will attract more buyers, sell quicker & at a higher price. When a buyer looks around your home and sees that it’s well maintained, they develop a sense of confidence that the things they don’t see […]
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You’ve seen the articles. Trulia, The Wall Street Journal, Philly.com and everyone else is reporting that housing inventory numbers dropped 21.6% over the previous year, according the National Association of REALTORS®. It is true locally, too and buyers are getting more frustrated. Here are the key factors in all of this: • While it’s true […]
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Many of the design features looking to dominate this year’s kitchen and baths trends remain classic elements, but perhaps with innovative materials and function. Here’s a look at the top trends you’ll see and the homes representing them: Soft Contemporary This is still very much a modern, contemporary look, but with softer lines, warmer color […]
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National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun predicted in November that we’d see a 15% growth in housing prices over the next three years, yet he was concerned about the housing affordability in this coming year. Yesterday’s announcement from NAR that housing affordability was up to 194, breaking the previous record of 186 in […]
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While we’ve been spared lunging over the dreaded fiscal cliff, there are several real estate related items of which you need to be aware. Below is a summary of real estate related provisions in the bill and compiled by the National Association of Realtors: Real Estate Tax Extenders • Mortgage Cancellation Relief is extended for […]
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You’re probably well aware by now, that your credit score will influence what kind and how much of a mortgage you can afford. But, did you know your credit score can also affect your home and auto insurance? That’s right. Just as mortgage companies evaluate your credit history to determine whether or not you’re considered […]
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Interesting information from Dian Hymer of Inman News: At the end of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, homeowners in many areas cashed in big profits when they sold. This enabled them to trade up to a bigger home, sometimes in a better neighborhood. Homeowners used their homes as piggy banks through the use of home […]
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The November poll hosted on the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) website queried consumers regarding holiday spending. The results revealed that 50 percent of consumers intend to spend less on holiday purchases this year than last, indicating they are in a worse financial position, while thirty-seven percent plan to spend nothing at all, as […]
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Is all debt created equal? Maybe not. In order to pay down debt faster while paying the least amount of interest, you’ll need to prioritize some debt over others so that you can pay the least amount in the long run–being strategic about which ones you pay off first can save a significant amount of […]
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Family Features—Over half of all Americans will need to make choices about their health insurance by 2014, and already, millions are making decisions about their Medicare drug or Medicare Advantage plans. But many people struggle with choosing the right plans for personal health care insurance, family plans, or deciding on behalf of a loved one. […]
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In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, thousands of homeowners along the East Coast are assessing the damage their homes sustained in the storm and will soon begin the rebuilding process. A natural disaster of this magnitude can be daunting, leaving many unsure of where to begin. If your home was affected, read the following […]
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In this segment, we’re going to talk about long-term energy savings and consider a few effective but higher cost efficiency initiatives. While these investments are somewhat larger than that of simply caulking a window, the potential savings are larger as well. These investments include: -Making sure you have good insulation in exterior walls, ceilings with […]
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These days, it seems easy for credit scores to be damaged and difficult to improve your scores even when you’ve done nothing wrong. Because scores can be so important to your buying power and even job fitness, and because every little factor counts in determining your scores, Forbes Magazine finance writer Erik Carter offers seven […]
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All parents want to support their children’s learning process. From algebra to a musical instrument, parents can help their children improve their education through support and encouragement. But what about financial intelligence? According to a recent BMO Harris Bank national survey conducted by Ipsos America, Inc., a leading market research company, nine out of ten […]
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In the wake of last week’s superstorm Sandy and other damaging weather conditions throughout the year, many homeowners have invested in back-up generators to keep their homes humming when the power goes out. According to the Building Performance Institute (BPI), however, generators can pose serious danger to a home’s inhabitants when not used properly, especially […]
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Even if the temperatures are still mild in your neck of the woods, there is no denying that winter is on its way, and it’s time to winterize your home. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), many winter-related disasters can be prevented if people take a few simple steps to protect their home from […]
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Nationwide production and permitting of new homes rose sharply in September to their highest levels in more than four years, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. A 15 percent gain brought the pace of new housing construction to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 872,000 units, while an 11.6 […]
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Even if the temperatures are still mild in your neck of the woods, there is no denying that winter is on its way, and it’s time to winterize your home. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), many winter-related disasters can be prevented if people take a few simple steps to protect their home from […]
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Nothing turns off prospective homebuyers more than bugs and critters – dead or alive. And when there are visible signs of rodent pellets on the floor, some prospective buyers may even run out of the house screaming. Home sellers need to ensure that bugs and critters don’t turn a potential sale into a lost opportunity, […]
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A fire is one of the greatest homeowner fears. Not only could you lose your home and valuables but, more importantly, your family could be at risk! To put your mind at ease, and protect your home from potential fires, follow these simple tips. -Change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors every […]
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If you’re at the point of having a home inspection done, Congratulations! You’re that much closer to getting your dream home! But, as with any of the steps to purchasing your home, there are key points to address and understand. The following are items you’ll want addressed before settlement: •Know that the home inspector is […]
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