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How to Interview Real Estate Agents: Identifying Local Market Experts

If you have been tasked with finding a competent and skilled real estate agent, choosing an agent based on their actual performance is not just a preference but a necessity for successful transactions. At EffectiveAgents.com, we understand the significance of this approach and advocate for a methodical, data-driven selection process. The following questions are designed to shed light on an agent's actual performance, revealing their expertise and efficiency in the local market.

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2% Real Estate Commission Offers: Is There A Catch?
The 2% Commission Pitch A variety of web-based platforms offer a 2% real estate commission, including Redfin, IdealAgent, Clever Real Estate and others. What's behind these offers, is there a catch? In the world of real estate, commission rates are often a hot topic. While the average commission hovers around 5.46%, some companies offer rates as low as 2%. But is this too good to be true
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Are Capital Gains Taxes Due on the Sale of My Second Home?
Navigating the Tax Maze: Selling Your Second Home Meet John and Lisa Thompson, a delightful retired couple who've spent countless summers in their cozy beachfront cottage. As they've decided to downsize, they've embarked on a journey to understand the tax implications of selling their beloved second home. Their story offers valuable insights for homeowners in similar situations. Primary Residences vs. Second Homes: The Tax Distinction John and Lisa's primary reside
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12 Reasons Your Home Isn't Selling (And What You Should Do)
The Impact of Pricing and the Dangers of Overpricing Pricing is the cornerstone of a successful home sale. An overpriced home can deter potential buyers from even viewing your property. It's essential to conduct a thorough comparative market analysis, considering homes of similar size, condition, and location. Remember, the longer a home stays on the market due to overpricing, the more it can be perceived as undesirable, leading to lower offers. If you have
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The Future of Real Estate Commissions: Groundbreaking Sitzer/Burnett Lawsuit Begins
The real estate industry is abuzz as the Sitzer/Burnett class action commission lawsuit, long in the making, finally enters the courtroom. This landmark case has the potential to redefine commission practices and cooperation within the industry. Central to the lawsuit is the contention that commission rates are exorbitantly high. The plaintiffs argue that it's inequitable for sellers to be
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How To Sell Your Home Quickly | The Role of a Real Estate Agent in Facilitating a Quick Sale
The clock is ticking. Every day that your home sits on the market, its appeal might slightly wane, and the initial buzz surrounding a fresh listing gradually fades. On the flip side, a quick home sale can mean a stronger negotiating position and, quite often, a better selling price. Who holds the key to this accelerated process? Your realtor®. In the high-speed, high-stakes world of real estate, having the right professional at your side can make a world of difference. EffectiveAgents.com
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Leveraging Realtor Referral Websites: Your Secret Weapon in the Home-Selling Battle
In today's real estate, there's no such thing as too much help. It's a market where prices fluctuate, trends evolve, and the competition gets fiercer by the day. Especially if you're planning to sell your home, navigating this complex maze can be intimidating. But what if there were a way to make it easier? This is where a data-driven referral website comes into play, your secret weapon and potential best friend in the home-selling journey. EffectiveAgents.com is a leading referral we
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Wall Street Braces for Liquidity Storm: Trillion-Dollar Treasury Tsunami Looms
With the ink barely dry on the debt ceiling deal signed by President Joe Biden, Wall Street braces for impact. The imminent deluge of new US Treasury bonds, primed to replenish the nation’s coffers, is set to exert further strain on the already diminished liquidity as bank deposits are appropriated for the cause. Financial analysts warn that the markets are ill-prepared for this torrent. The aftershocks of this fiscal maneuver could surpass those of previous debt limit disputes.
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The Tug-of-War in 2023’s Real Estate Market: High Mortgage Rates, Low Inventory, and Resilient Home Prices
In the grand theater of the American housing market, high mortgage rates have set a new stage, while a scarcity of home listings has drawn the curtains on many potential buyers. Yet, even as the spotlight turns onto the uncertainty of the current climate, an eager audience waits in the wings, ready to spring into action as soon as the rates decline and more homes flood the stage. Over the last four weeks, culminating on May 28, pending home sales have seen a tumble of 17% from the sam
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As Mortgage Rates Peak, America's Housing Market Feels the Heat
Against a backdrop of volatile economic figures and indices, mortgage rates in the United States have pirouetted to a crescendo, reaching the loftiest levels seen since November. The steady climb paints an intriguing backdrop to a housing market already in the throes of flux and adaptation, altering the rhythm of real estate transactions nationwide. Over the last week, the standard 30-year fixed mortgage rate leaped from 6.57% to an arresting 6.79%. When contrasted with the same time
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Home Inventory Crisis: Major Cities Witness Unprecedented Decline in Housing Options
It has become increasingly challenging for prospective homebuyers to find available properties, particularly in major cities, as the housing industry grapples with a significant shortage of inventory. According to a recent report from Realtor.com, the number of homes for sale in 2023 has decreased in 21 out of the 50 largest metropolitan areas compared to the previous year. Leading the pack is San Jose, California, experiencing a staggering decline of 35% in listed homes for sale. Sac
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The New Math on Inheriting Your Parents' House: Keep or Sell
What Happens if You Inherit a House With a Mortgage? In today's real estate landscape, one of the first steps many individuals take when inheriting their parents' home is to put it up for sale. While the decision about what to do with a family property often involves both emotional and financial considerations, the escalating costs of renovations, property taxes, and utilities are making it increasingly challenging for adult children to hold onto inherited real estate
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Seize the Opportunity: The Best Time to Sell Your House is When Others Aren't
If you're considering selling your house, now may be the perfect time to make a move. The current housing market is experiencing a shortage of available homes for sale, with fewer sellers listing their properties compared to previous years. Looking back at the data from every April since 2017, the only year when the number of sellers was lower than now was in April 2020, during the initial impact of the pandemic. In a typical April, around 500,000 homes are added to the market. Howeve
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2023 Average Real Estate Commissions: How Agents Get Paid and What Buyers and Sellers Should Know
The EffectiveAgents® team took a hard look at average Realtor® commission rates so far in 2023 to determine how much the average real estate agent receives in gross compensation for a full-service listing. With the real estate market in transition and fewer listings and sales to go around, is this impacting the comission rates that realtors® charge? Additionally, new services have emerged that offer homeowners discounted listing packages and even flat-fee arrangements that h
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Rocket Mortgage Launches ONE+ Program: Making Homeownership More Attainable with 1% Down Payment
Rocket Mortgage, one of the largest non-bank mortgage lenders in the United States, has announced the launch of its innovative ONE+ program. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize the home buying experience by allowing low- to moderate-income individuals to put down as little as 1% on their dream homes. By reducing the upfront payment requirement and eliminating the need for mortgage insurance, Rocket Mortgage aims to m
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Decoding the Role of a Real Estate Attorney: Do You Really Need One?
Buying or selling a home can be a complex process filled with legalities and potential pitfalls. While a real estate agent is often the go-to professional for navigating the transaction, there's another expert who can provide invaluable guidance: a real estate attorney. What Does a Real Estate Attorney Do? A real estate attorney is a legal professional specializing in real estate law. They offer essential services to individuals and businesses involved in various real estate
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Benefits of Using a Top-Performing Agent When Selling Your Home
Selling a home is a significant financial transaction, and it's natural to want to get the best possible price for your property. While you may consider selling your home on your own or working with just any real estate agent, there are distinct advantages to choosing a top-performing agent who excels in their field. These agents have a proven track record of success, possess in-depth market knowledge, and bring valuable expertise to the table. In this article, we will explore the
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When Will The Housing Market Crash? Understanding the Potential for A Decline
Amidst recent economic uncertainty, concerns about the stability of the housing market have been on the rise. The lingering effects of the pandemic have fueled questions about the possibility of a housing market crash. However, experts agree that while the market is experiencing shifts, a sudden and abrupt crash is very unlikely. In this article, we will delve into the current state of the housing market, analyze key indicators, and explore the factors that may contribute to a potential crash
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14 million mortgages were refinanced during ‘pandemic boom.’ That makes life very difficult for home buyers
The reverberations of the great pandemic mortgage refinance boom are still being felt across the housing market, making it increasingly challenging for prospective homebuyers to find affordable homes. With homeowners holding on to their ultra-low mortgage rates, housing inventory remains tight, impeding the buying process. As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in 2020 and 2021, mortgage rates plummeted, enticing millions of homeowne
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Slowing Rent Growth: Promising Signs for the Economy and Future Homebuyers
In recent months, the pace of rent growth has significantly slowed, bringing potential benefits to both the economy and future homebuyers. This trend, where rent increases are falling behind inflation and wage growth, suggests a positive outlook for the housing market and the overall financial landscape. Construction of rental units has eased demand, resulting in minimal annual rent growth. The slowdown in rental price growth could further cool inflation in the coming months, which, i
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How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent for Selling Your Home
Selling your home is a significant undertaking, filled with both excitement and apprehension. As you navigate the complex world of real estate, one crucial decision can make all the difference in achieving a successful sale: choosing the right real estate agent. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the perfect agent, equipping you with the tools and knowledge needed to make an informed decision. The Importance of Selecting the Right Agent A knowledgea
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Maximizing Your Home's Value: The Power of Top Performing Real Estate Agents
Selling your home can feel like launching your own small business - it's time-consuming, emotionally challenging, and filled with complex tasks. But there's a silver bullet to this taxing endeavor: top performing real estate agents. They're the secret sauce to getting the most out of your property, with their unparalleled expertise, industry insights, and cutting-edge marketing strategies. By working with top-tier real estate agents, you can unlock the full potential of your home's value.
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Housing Affordability Conundrum: Hot Topic in Political Debates
Housing affordability is no longer a quiet local matter, as it increasingly becomes a hot topic for national political debate. This issue is reshaping the political landscape and blurring the lines of traditional alliances as policy-makers scramble to formulate effective solutions. The escalating issue of housing affordability is a concern, primarily for lawmakers who are facing the formidable task of devising solutions that can alleviate the crisis marked by soaring rents and escalat
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Housing Starts Plummet: Navigating Uncharted Territory in the Housing Market
Recently, navigating the complexities of the current real estate market is akin to riding a rollercoaster. One moment you're ascending, the next you're plunging downward at breakneck speed. Recent data from the housing sector reflects this reality, revealing a sharp decrease in housing starts and painting a picture of a market in flux. In fact, the number of new private housing units under construction plummeted by a staggering 22.3% from the same time last year. Despite the significant drop,
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A Shift in Sentiment: U.S. Housing Market Perspectives at an All-Time Low
The U.S. housing market, a subject of fascination and speculation for many, has recently seen a significant shift in public sentiment. Only 21% of U.S. adults currently perceive it as a good time to buy a house. This statistic marks a significant decline, down nine percentage points from the previous year's low. This is noteworthy as these are the only instances where less than half of Americans have perceived the housing market as favorable for buyers since 1978. The
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Daring the Downturn: The Unexplored Potential of Real Estate Investments During Economic Slumps
In periods of economic turbulence, investment decisions are invariably fraught with uncertainty. As consumer spending contracts, companies' profitability wanes, leading to stock market fluctuations. The question then arises: should investors pivot from individual stocks towards more tangible assets like real estate during these periods of economic unrest? Interestingly, a recent study by GoBankingRates revealed that 90% of Americans shy away from real estate investments during economi
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Elon Musk Warns About The Impending Real Estate Crisis
As the undercurrents of unease ripple through the real estate market, there is a growing sense of a looming crisis. The financial sector has been hit by a wave of investor uncertainty, sparked by the recent collapse of a prominent Californian bank, a go-to institution for startups and numerous small businesses. The bank, known for its bold but calculated risk-taking, stumbled following a bad bet on interest rates through acquisitions of treasury and municipal bonds. This ill-timed gamble, mad
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Echoes of 1982: Rising Bond Yields and the Real Estate Market
In a striking echo of 1982, the current economic landscape might be signaling a similar trajectory. More than four decades ago, the U.S. Treasury sold new 30-year bonds at a record average yield of 14.56 percent, reflecting the extreme hesitancy of investors to purchase long-term bonds despite diminishing inflation. A series of factors, including escalating interest rates and expanding budget deficit
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Foreign Luxury Real Estate Markets Dip in 2023: First Negative Turn since 2009 Global Financial Crisis
The year 2023 marked a significant downturn for the world's luxury property markets, with the first negative turn since the global financial crisis of 2009. This unexpected shift came after a peak growth of 10.1% in the last quarter of 2021, as revealed by the latest Prime Global Cities Index (PGCI). The PGCI, which tracks prices in 46 leading prime markets globally, fell by 0.4% in the 12 months leading up to the end of March 2023. This deceleration in growth was primarily driven by
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The Great Wealth Transfer: Real Estate Inheritance in the Baby Boomer Era
In the present era, a remarkable $53 trillion is shifting hands as baby boomers pass down their wealth to their descendants, marking one of the most significant generational wealth transfers in history. A significant proportion of this wealth resides in real estate, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge to boomers and their heirs alike. Estate planning and intergenerational wealth planning play pivotal roles in transferring and preserving this wealth. Real estate, in particul
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Six-Figure Salary Required: The Challenge of Affording a $500K House in the US
The dream of homeownership is becoming increasingly elusive for the average American, even those earning a six-figure income. The spring 2023 housing market is being dubbed "a nobody's market," as sellers cling to their homes to maintain low interest rates while many buyers find themselves priced out. On May 4, the federal funds rate, which influences mortgage rates, rose above 5% for
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A Change of Tide: US Real Estate Investors Incur Losses in Property Flips
The golden era of buying and flipping homes for swift profits appears to be receding. As per recent reports, sky-high property prices and elevated mortgage rates are leading to diminished homebuyer demand, forcing real estate investors to sell homes at a loss in certain U.S. cities. In a revealing turn of events, real estate investors incurred losses on approximately one in seven (13.5%) homes they sold in March. This is a stark contrast to the overall U.S. homes sold in the same peri
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Record Highs in Consumer Debt Despite Dwindling Mortgage Demand
2023 has begun on an unsettling note as consumer debt in the United States marked a new record high, exceeding the staggering $17 trillion threshold in the first quarter. This increase occurred even as mortgage demand experienced a significant decline. In the January-to-March period, the total borrowing across all categories escalated to $17.05 trillion, a nearly $150 billion, or 0.9% increase. This rise signifies an approximate $2.9 trillion surge in total indebtedness since the peri
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Debt Ceiling Showdown: The Potential Impact on the U.S. Housing Market
The U.S. government’s fiscal health is under scrutiny as lawmakers continue to debate the debt ceiling. Democrats advocate raising the ceiling unconditionally, while Republicans insist on accompanying it with spending cuts. Failure to reach a consensus could lead to an economic "calamity", as described by the U.S. Treasury Secretary. In this context, one might ask, how would this so-called "calamity" affect the U.S. housing market? A recent report from Zillow explores this very
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The Forecasted Path of the U.S. Housing Market in 2023: A Look at Nine Major Predictions
As the calendar turned to 2023, the overall sentiment surrounding the U.S. housing market leaned towards a bearish outlook. Most forecasters anticipated a dip in national home prices, attributing this to the surge in mortgage rates. Yet, as we ventured into the first five months of the year, these predictions remained largely unfulfilled. In fact, following a seven-month consecutive decline from June to January, the seasonality adjusted Case-Shiller National Home Price Index recorded
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Bidding Frenzy: The Housing Market's Unexpected Surge
As the calendar flipped to a late spring day, an enticing three-bedroom, 1924 bungalow nestled in Minneapolis stirred quite a commotion in the housing market. Listed on a Friday afternoon, it rapidly garnered attention from prospective buyers, causing a whirlwind of activity over the weekend. An overwhelming number of offers, precisely 25, flooded in, each surpassing the listing price of $320,000. The fervor culminated within 48 hours with a contract from a buyer offering well beyond the aski
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The American Dream Deferred: Navigating the Unprecedented Surge in Housing Costs
The American housing market has witnessed a perplexing surge, turning the dream of home ownership and affordable rentals into an elusive aspiration for many. The escalation of housing costs is attributed to the mismatch of soaring demand against a constrained supply. In the Sunshine State, there was an instance where a single property attracted over 50 offers in a single week, a ten-fold jump from the usual. Even full-cash offers exceeding the list price were often outbid, reflecting
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Scam Alert: Real Estate Professionals, Watch Out for Fraudsters Posing as Property Owners
In recent weeks, there has been a surge in real estate fraud cases involving criminals impersonating property owners to engage with real estate agents and attempt to sell properties they have no legal ownership of. These properties are often vacant or lien-free, making them attractive targets for fraudsters. The scam has become increasingly prevalent, particularly in several California counties, prompting authorities to warn real estate professionals of this growing threat. Law enforc
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2023 Housing Market Predictions: When Will Home Prices Fall?
The direction of the housing market in 2023 remains uncertain, as mortgage rates increased 15 basis points in April, and pending and existing home sales slumped in March. While the median existing-home sales price edged lower year-over-year for the second consecutive month, substantial nationwide price declines are not expected. Tight inventory continues to keep prices high, creating affordability challenges, especially for first-time homebuyers. As the spring homebuying season progre
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Increasing Defaults on Apartment-Backed Bonds as Housing Market Cools
As the housing market cools and interest rates continue to rise, defaults on a niche mortgage bond primarily used to fund apartment building purchases are increasing. This bond, known as collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), are mortgages packaged into bonds that are then sold to investors. CLOs played a significant role in driving housing costs in Sunbelt states like Arizona, Texas, and Nevada by facilitating the purchase of buildings with potential for increased rent. In recent ye
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Florida Real Estate Legislation Roundup: What Passed and What Didn't
The recent legislative session in Florida has seen a number of real estate-related bills passed, which now await the governor's signature. Meanwhile, some proposals were unsuccessful, including one that aimed to allow the demolition of properties in historic districts across coastal cities. Here's an overview of the key real estate legislation that passed or failed during this session: SB 102 - Affordable Housing: Signed into law, this landmark bill incentivizes devel
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The Domino Effect: How Commercial Real Estate Impacts the Financial System
As the commercial real estate sector faces a potential downturn, its troubles could pose a significant risk to the U.S. financial system. This concern is highlighted in the Federal Reserve's latest Financial Stability report, which indicates that a dramatic shift in where white-collar staff choose to work may lead to sharp declines in property valuations as office space demand plummets. This potential upheaval in commercial real estate could have far-reaching implications for the alre
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The Vanishing Act: Move-Up Buyers Disappear from the Housing Market
A move-up buyer is a homeowner who decides to sell their current home and purchase a new one that is typically larger, more expensive, or better suited to their changing needs and preferences. This could be due to factors such as an increase in family size, financial growth, a desire for a better location, or an upgrade in lifestyle. Move-up buyers contribute to the real estate market's activity as they simultaneously create demand for new homes and supply by listing their existing homes for
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The Great Housing Supply Dilemma: Why Homeowners Are Hesitant to Sell
The housing market is an enigma, with unique characteristics that set it apart from other markets. It can be described as a heterogeneous, thinly traded, illiquid market, meaning that it is diverse and features a wide variety of homes with varying ages and conditions, and sales occur infrequently. Additionally, the buyer is often also the seller, as the decision to sell one home is intrinsically linked to the decision to buy another.
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A Surprising Retreat: Why Big Investors Are Stepping Back from the Housing Market
The Pandemic Housing Boom brought a wave of institutional investors, such as Blackstone and iBuyer giants like Opendoor Technologies, into the real estate market. Low interest rates, easy access to capital, soaring rents, and skyrocketing home values created the perfect storm for Wall Street. However, recent trends show that institutional homebuyers are now rapidly pulling back from the market. An analysis by John Burns Research and Consulting revealed that institutional investors, th
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Boost Your Home's Value: Unveiling the Secrets of Remodeling in Different Markets
As rising interest rates and low inventory continue to slow down real estate sales volume, remodeling and renovation activities remain strong. For homeowners with a low mortgage rate and substantial equity, upgrading their current home may be more financially sensible than relocating. While personal preferences often determine the decision to remodel, most homeowners also want to ensure that the costs are justified by a corresponding increase in value. To better understand the impact
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iBuyers Adapt to Housing Market Uncertainty: Opendoor & Offerpad's Q1 2023 Performance
Mortgage rates fluctuating, banks collapsing, and homebuyers and sellers sitting on the sidelines have all contributed to a challenging housing market landscape in the first quarter of 2023. In this uncertain environment, two publicly traded iBuyers, Opendoor and Offerpad, have struggled to maintain their footing. Both companies significantly scaled back their property acquisitions during the quarter, with Opendoor acquiring just 1,747 homes, down 81% year over year. Offerpad, meanwhi
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Don't Overpay: Discover the Truth Behind Real Estate
What Are Admin Fees in Real Estate? | Can Real Estate Agents Charge Admin Fees? In a typical home sale, there are numerous parties involved, each benefiting financially upon closing the deal. Most make their money off fees, some of which are straightforward, while others are more opaque, such as title insurance. However, there's one vague fee that has increasingly become a point of contention in the real estate industry, going by names such as administrative fee, transaction fee, or
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Will Real Estate Agent Commission Rates Ever Fall?
The real estate agent commission rate has shown remarkable resilience over the years, even in the face of evolving market forces, technological advances and legal challenges. This article explores why traditional commission rates have remained stable and the factors that could potentially lead to changes in the future. When selling a home, many homeowners opt for full-price brokers and incorporate the agent's commission into the sale price. This decision is often made because selling
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Florida Landlords Discover Alternative Method for Removing Squatters
In Florida, a real estate investor recently faced a challenging situation with squatters occupying his vacant property. This experience led him to discover a little-known Florida statute that provides a faster and more cost-effective solution for landlords dealing with squatter issues. By utilizing this statute, landlords can bypass time-consuming court battles and expensive legal fees. The investor's property was under contract for sale and vacant while awaiting permits for roof repl
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Rising Mortgage Rates Impact US Housing Market as New Home Listings Decline
The US housing market is grappling with a critical issue - a shortage of homes available for purchase. A recent report attributes this challenge to the increasing mortgage rates, which are impacting not only potential buyers but also sellers. Higher borrowing costs have deterred potential buyers, and sellers are holding back during the spring season as well. In April, the number of new listings dropped by 21% compared to the previous year and fell by 31% compared to 2019, as reported
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Brace Yourself: The Federal Reserve's Rate Hike and Its Impact on You
The Federal Reserve is expected to approve a quarter-percentage-point interest rate increase this week, marking the 10th time it has raised its benchmark interest rate over the past year. With borrowing rates already at fresh highs, consumers are paying more to borrow while dealing with a high cost of living, resulting in a financial squeeze for many households. In this article, we'll break down how the Fed's moves have been affecting your monthly expenses and savings. With the rapid
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Unveiling the Charlotte, NC Housing Market: Opportunities and Strategies for Buyers and Sellers
As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, Charlotte, NC has experienced a significant boom in its housing market, making it a hot topic for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents alike. In this article, we will delve into the latest trends and opportunities in the Charlotte housing market and offer insights on effective strategies for buyers and sellers in this competitive environment. The Current State of the Charlotte Housing Market
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Raleigh Housing Market: Opportunities and Challenges in a Dynamic Environment
The housing market in Raleigh, North Carolina, is somewhat competitive, with homes receiving an average of 2 offers and selling within approximately 40 days. The median sale price of a home in Raleigh last month was $389,000, a decrease of 4.0% since last year. The median sale price per square foot in Raleigh is $216, down 3.6% compared to the previous year. While the market is not as aggressive as other major cities, there is still a level of competitiveness that both buyers and sellers shou
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Denver's Competitive Housing Market: Navigating the Highs and Lows
The housing market in Denver, Colorado, has become increasingly competitive, with properties receiving multiple offers and selling within a short time frame. While the median sale price of a home in Denver was $570,000 last month, this figure has fallen by 4.5% since the previous year. Furthermore, the median sale price per square foot is now $354, down 13.8% compared to last year. Despite these decreases, the market remains fiercely competitive, with homes often selling for close to their li
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Home Buyers Eager, Sellers Hesitant: Decoding the Housing Market Standstill
The housing market is currently experiencing a standstill when it should be thriving. Sales of existing homes in March were down 22 percent from the year before, according to the National Association of Realtors. The inventory of unsold homes on the market at the end of March totaled 2.6 months' supply, which is half of what's needed to balance supply and demand. Housing Market Gridlock / Standstill Economists describe the situation as a "real gridlock," predicting that it w
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Nashville Housing Market: A Comprehensive Breakdown
Nashville, Tennessee, known for its vibrant music scene and booming economy, has experienced a fluctuating housing market in recent months. In this article, we will dive into the current state of Nashville's housing market, providing insights into the latest trends and offering guidance for buyers, sellers, and investors alike. Declining Home Prices and Sales Volume In March 2023, the median sale price for homes in Nashville was $431,000, a 2.0% year-over-year
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Phoenix Housing Market: Navigating the Current Landscape
The Phoenix housing market has experienced significant changes in recent months, with home prices, sales volume, and inventory all undergoing fluctuations. This article will delve into the current state of the market, examining the factors that have led to these changes and what they mean for buyers, sellers, and investors in the region. Declining Home Prices and Sales Volume In March 2023, the median sa
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Vanguard Anticipates Home Price Decline in 2023: Economic and Housing Market Implications
Vanguard Group, one of the world's largest investment management firms, predicts a decline in US home prices for 2023. The median sales price for existing homes has already slid 9% from a record high of $413,800 in June to $375,700 in March, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This analysis examines the factors behind this prediction and its implications for the US economy and housing market. Factors Contributing to the Forecast The surg
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Unlocking Lower Mortgage Rates: Top 5 Strategies Every Homebuyer Should Know
Securing a lower mortgage rate can make a significant difference in the long-term cost of your home loan. In this article, we'll explore five strategies to help you qualify for reduced mortgage rates, including shopping around, improving your credit score, choosing the right loan term, making a larger down payment, and buying mortgage points. Shop Around for the Best Deal When searching for mortgages, it's crucial to contact various lenders, such as mortgage bankers, regiona
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Assessing the Impact of Wage Growth, Inflation, and Fed's Rate Decision on the Real Estate Market
Elevated wage growth and persistent high inflation at the start of the year are likely to influence the Federal Reserve's decision to raise rates in the coming week. This article discusses the latest wage and inflation trends and their potential impact on the real estate market, given that the central bank's target federal funds rate is between 4.75% and 5%. Wage Growth Trends According to the Labor Department, employers spent 1.2% more on wages and benefits in the first qua
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Boost Your Home's Resale Value with Smart Home Improvement Projects
Whether you're planning to sell your home soon or just want to invest in upgrades that pay off, it's essential to know which home improvement projects offer the best return on investment (ROI). Some projects can significantly increase your home's value, while others may not deliver the expected results. In this article, we'll discuss the top home improvement projects that can boost your home's resale value and those you may want to avoid.
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Deciding Between Renting and Buying in Today's Challenging Real Estate Market
Deciding whether to rent or buy a home has become increasingly complex in an ever-changing housing market characterized by surging mortgage rates, record-high rents and home prices, and concerns about a potential economic downturn. In this article, we'll delve into key factors to consider, including tax benefits and housing costs, when choosing between renting and buying a home. Economic Factors Mortgage Rates: With significant fluctuations in mortgage rates, hom
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US Home Prices Rebound as Spring Fever Energizes Housing Market
After seven consecutive months of decline, US home prices experienced a much-needed boost in February, according to recently released data. The nationwide increase in home prices signals a shift in the housing market as the spring buying season gets underway. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index revealed a 0.2% month-over-month increase in home prices after seasonal adjustment. In comparison to the previous year, prices rose by 2%. The 20-City Composite Ho
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Austin, Texas Housing Market: A Snapshot of Cooling Growth and Increasing Competition
The housing market in Austin, Texas, has experienced a recent cooling in growth, reflecting changes in the city's competitive landscape. As one of the top real estate markets in the country, Austin presents unique opportunities and challenges for both buyers and sellers. In this article, we'll delve into the latest data and trends to provide a comprehensive snapshot of Austin's housing market. Austin Housing Market Overview: The Austin housing market is somewhat competitive, with home
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Biden Administration Mortgage Policy: Helping Risky Borrowers at the Expense of Homebuyers with Good Credit
The Biden administration recently introduced a new federal rule that could significantly impact the mortgage payments of homebuyers across the United States. The rule, slated to take effect on May 1, 2023, alters the fee structure associated with mortgages, raising the monthly mortgage payments of buyers with good credit scores by over $60 per month. In contrast, riskier borrowers will receive more favorable terms, as their fees will be reduced. This policy change has generated significant di
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Tampa's Housing Market in 2023: Key Trends & Insights
The Tampa housing market has experienced significant growth and increased competitiveness in recent years. In this comprehensive analysis, we will delve into the key trends and insights of Tampa's real estate market so far in 2023, while also providing context regarding the rising home values in Florida as a whole. Tampa Housing Market Overview Tampa's real estate market has become notably competitive, with homes receiving an average of two offers and selling
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Gen Z and Millennials: Homeownership Trends and Challenges in 2023
Homeownership Race: Gen Z Outpaces Parents, Millennials Struggle to Catch Up Gen Z's homeownership rate is ahead of their parents' generation, with 30% of 25-year-olds owning their homes in 2022. This surpasses the 27% rate for Gen Xers at the same age. However, Gen Zers who missed out on the low mortgage rates during the pandemic might find it challenging to catch up. Meanwhile, millennials lag behind their parents, with 62% of 40-year-olds owning homes in 2022, comp
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Miami's Real Estate Market: Cooling Down Yet Still Sizzling
Miami's housing market has been on fire in recent years, drawing in buyers and investors from across the country and around the world. Despite recent indications of cooling, the market remains one of the hottest in the United States. In this article, we will analyze the current state of Miami's housing market. In the first quarter, Miami's home-price growth experienced a moderate deceleration, yet it maintained its upward trajectory. This trend is driven by sustained demand, even as ris
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Pandemic Property Boom: Unearthing the Top Performers and Biggest Losers in the US Real Estate Market
As we look back on the real estate market since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, it's clear that some cities have significantly outperformed others. We've analyzed data from cities across the United States to identify the top 10 appreciating cities, as well as the worst-performing cities, and explore the geographic, societal, and political factors that contributed to these rankings. In this article, we delve into how the pandemic impacted demand for real estate in these areas.
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Real Estate: Your Best Bet Against Inflation
Inflation – the dreaded word that sends shivers down the spines of economists and investors alike. With the cost of living constantly rising, it is crucial to identify assets that can not only maintain but also grow in value despite increasing inflation rates. Enter real estate, a time-tested investment that provides a strong hedge against inflation. For decades, real estate has been a preferred asset class for many experienced investors looking to protec
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Real Estate: Your Best Bet Against Inflation
Inflation – the dreaded word that sends shivers down the spines of economists and investors alike. With the cost of living constantly rising, it is crucial to identify assets that can not only maintain but also grow in value despite increasing inflation rates. Enter real estate, a time-tested investment that provides a strong hedge against inflation. For decades, real estate has been a preferred asset class for many experienced investors looking to protect their wealth fr
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Home Sales Experience Modest Decline in March, Marking a Tepid Start to Homebuying Season
A detailed analysis of the housing market reveals a subdued beginning to the homebuying season, with several contributing factors. In March 2023, the U.S. housing market registered a modest decline in home sales, reflecting a somewhat lackluster commencement to the homebuying season. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales fell 0.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.02 million units. This decline indicates a slowdo
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Biden Administration's Proposed Housing Market Rule Raises Concerns Among Experts
Real estate expert John Campbell has raised concerns about a proposed rule that would impose additional scrutiny on mortgage lenders who provide lower interest rates to homebuyers with good credit. The rule, which is being considered by the Biden administration, is part of an effort to reduce racial disparities in homeownership and promote housing affordability. However, Campbell and other experts argue that it may lead to unintended consequences, such as discouraging responsib
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Mortgage Rate Fluctuations Impact Homebuyer Behavior, Affordability Remains a Concern
Recent data suggests that today's homebuyers are growing more sensitive to weekly shifts in mortgage rates. Despite a slight easing of home prices, affordability remains a significant obstacle, particularly as more first-time buyers enter the market. In the past week, the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($726,200 or less) rose to 6.43% from 6.30% the previous week. Concurrently, points increased to 0.63 from
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Is the Commercial Real Estate Market Headed for a Crash?
The commercial real estate market has recently been under increased scrutiny, especially after Silicon Valley Bank failed. This has caused some concerns about the possibility of a recession and the potential for defaults on commercial real estate loans. A significant issue is the refinancing cliff that has arrived this year, and this poses a threat to the real estate industry and banks that rely on it. Vacancy rates for office buildings reached a record high in 2022, with higher rates
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Is “Marry the House, Date the Rate” a Good Idea? Exploring Mortgage Rates and Inflation
Key Points: Marry the house, and date the rate" means committing to a home for the long-term but refinancing the interest rate when it drops. This phrase gained popularity when mortgage rates rose to 20-year highs in 2022. The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates low since the Great Recession to stimulate the economy, which resulted in significant inflation. High inflation is one of the reasons for soaring home prices. Refinancing a
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Homebuyers Draw the Line at Mortgage Rates above 5.5%
Homebuyers are reluctant to accept mortgage rates over 5.5%, causing some to delay their purchase, even if they can afford it. Builders who offer subsidies to buyers for mortgage rates below 5.5% have been successful in selling homes. The shortage of homes for sale, combined with high demand, is making it difficult for potential buyers to enter the market, despite the possibility of lower mortgage rates.
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Builder Sentiment Rises for the Fourth Straight Month as Existing Home Supply Remains Scarce
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) climbed to 45 in April, a one-point gain, marking the fourth straight month of builder sentiment growth. While the reading is still below 50, indicating a negative outlook, the rise is a positive sign for the housing market. The supply of existing homes for sale continues to be limited, which is driving demand for new construction. Builders reported that the lack of existing home listings has given
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Closing on Your Home Sale: A Guide for Home Sellers
The closing process is the final step in selling your home, and it can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. However, with the right preparation and knowledge, you can ensure that everything goes smoothly and that you walk away with a successful sale. In this article, we will provide guidance on what home sellers should expect during the closing process and how to ensure that everything goes smoothly. What is Closing? Closing is the process of transferring ownership of a
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EffectiveAgents.com® Reviews Official
Meet some of our customers, read their stories, and imagine what an Effective Agent can do for you. EffectiveAgents.com has received thousands of reviews from users on platforms like Google®, ShopperApproved®, the BBB and more. We've Consolidated these reviews to provide a snapshot of the experiences of our users. November 29, 2020 by
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A Greener Future: Eco-Friendly Real Estate
From construction to design features, the future of real estate is pointing in the direction of increased sustainability and eco-friendly features. What was once viewed as perhaps trends in home building and design are now clearly here to stay.  What was once a niche is now the norm, and according to a survey by Nielsen,
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Before and After: How to Prepare for a Big Move
Preparing for and executing a move can be a huge source of stress. In fact, many people rank it right up there with the most stressful things they deal with in life.  Why is it so stressful? Different reasons, but there are the costs, the planning and then there is the emotional component of leaving one space where we’ve created memories and moving to another.  While you can’t comp
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Buying a Foreclosed Home: What You Need to Know
A foreclosure happens when a property owner stops paying their mortgage or other financial obligations to the lender. The lender (typically the bank) will take back the rights to the home, evict the owner, and try to resell the house to someone who will be able to pay for it.  Foreclosed homes are often seen as a deal for homebuyers. The bank or financial lender is highly motivated to sell the property so they can gain som
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Using Social Media Buzz to Sell a Home
Social media is our go-to for just about anything, so why not use it to sell a house? Social media is one of the best ways to get the word out about a listing, and according to Adweek, Millennials now make up 66% of the first-time home buying market. 99% of those Millennials use the internet to research properties.  The following are some of the
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How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage (And Why You Should)
The home buying process is an exciting time for individuals and families who are stepping into the next chapter of their lives. However, it also requires a lot of paperwork and technical knowledge that most homebuyers don’t have. Your Realtor® will be an invaluable resource in guiding you through this process, but there are also steps you can take before you look at houses to make it easier.  One option you have is to get
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Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money with Staging
Don’t overlook the importance of staging your home because it can be a mistake that costs you both time and money. Despite the statistics and research on the topic, some buyers feel they can get by without staging their home, and they leave it empty or don’t take steps to make it appealing to a buyer. These sellers typically find out the hard way this wasn’t the right decision. 
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Wants vs. Needs: Balancing Your Homebuying Checklist
When you’re in the process of buying a new home, or you’re just considering it, it’s easy to start with a wish-list that includes just about everything. Your list may seem like it’s a mile long, and that’s normal. We all want that perfect home, but when it’s time to start your search, there will undoubtedly be areas where you have to sacrifice.  Why Do You Need a List to Buy a Home?
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What Happens at Closing? What Buyers and Sellers Can Expect
The closing is the final step of the home buying and selling process. Many sellers or Realtors® will refer to closing as the finish line in the overall process, but that doesn’t provide a lot of detail about what goes on – or what a buyer needs to do to prepare.  Just because you’re done with most of the work doesn’t mean the closing isn’t important. Let’s look at what happens at closing for both the buyer and seller so yo
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Are You Prepared for These Hidden Homebuying Costs?
If you’re contemplating it, or in the midst of buying a home, you probably already know it’s a big undertaking. There’s a lot to think about, particularly when it comes to financial decisions. A home is likely one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make.  You have to look beyond the price of the home itself, as well. When you’re budgeting to buy, there are hidden homebuying costs you may not be aware of, and they can sig
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What’s Your Ideal Home Décor Style?
When you’re in the market to buy a new home, or you’re planning a renovation of your current home, it’s helpful to have a general idea of what you’re drawn to in terms of décor and design style. You may like a little of everything or not have one set style, but most people do have a general d
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The Impact of Technology in the Real Estate Industry
Technology is an unavoidable, pervasive part of life for most of us. There’s not any part of life where technology isn’t a staple of our daily routines, and this is true in the real estate industry and for real estate professionals.  Technology has not only changed the entire real estate industry, but it makes things different from the perspective of buyers and sellers as well.  Ev
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Do's And Dont's For Uploading Listing Photos
When it is time to sell your home, you must obtain the best professional help available. The first line of business is to hire the most qualified agent possible who knows a real estate photographer to take listing photos sure to get fast results. When it is time to find the perfect realtor®, you will need some help. Considering the amount of money at stake, it is important to review a realtor's background to find the
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Best Interior Paint Colors to Help Sell Your House
When it comes to selling a home quickly, some of the biggest deterrents are not using a top-selling realtor®, overpricing the house, and according to Better Homes and Garden, the lack of neutral tones in the décor of the home. While your home may have many amazing features that make it a sound investment, some buyers have a difficulty seeing beyond the present flooring, furniture, and wall colors. Your primary goal is to increase
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The First 5 Things to Do After Inheriting a Home
You may already know that you are going to inherit a home (like the house your parents live in), or the inheritance may come as a complete surprise to you (like learning that a distant relative named you as the heir to their home). Either way, there are a lot of things to do when you officially take over someone else’s property. To help you through the process, following these five steps as soon as you inherit a home
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The Top 6 Questions About Home Inspections
A home inspection is an important part of the buying process. Potential buyers bring in an inspector to check the foundation, wiring, plumbing, and overall structure of the house. The inspector will look at everything from the tiles on the roof to the support systems in the kitchen cabinets.  Understanding the home inspection process is important if you are a home buyer or seller. Here are a few common questions people ask
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How To Get Your Home Ready For Open House
Buying a house can be exciting, but it requires you to sell your current house. If that’s your situation, you’ll want to do everything within your power to sell it quickly and for a great price. That means you’ll have an open house, which is something that should not be taken lightly. There are things you can do to make sure your open house is su
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6 Ways To Make Your Offer Stand Out In A Competitive Market
If you are trying to buy property in a hot real estate market, you need to make exceptional offers. Zillow describes a hot market as a seller’s market, which means there are more buyers than sellers--a situation that is being experienced in most cities across the nation in 2021. In this situation, buyers need to write strong offers because many of the best real estate agents in your city will be making offers on that same piece of property. Here are the top six strategies to make your offer stan
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Covid-era Philanthropy Design by St. Petersburg-based Tech Company
EffectiveAgents.com has forged partnerships with several nonprofit organizations, offering a percentage of real estate transaction proceeds to fund various programs with these partners. In the wake of Covid-19, donations to causes such as disaster recovery, cancer treatments and research, and affordable housing have reduced dramatically. Therefore, EffectiveAgents.com has developed a system that leverages donations, increasing resources in a way that
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Navigating the Real Estate Market as a New Investor
While real estate investing can be an excellent way to see high returns on your initial investment or earn passive income, it’s overwhelming to know where to begin in the industry. To prepare yourself, there are some general things to know and keep in mind.  Think About How You Want to Invest Real estate investing is a very broad term, and it can refer to a lot of different sp
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What Happens to a House When the Homeowner Dies?
The days and weeks following a death can be a blur. Family and friends come and go, people travel to attend the funeral, and there are a million things to do long after the celebration of life. Along with settling medical bills and other financial loose ends, many families are often at a loss for what to do with the house. Multiple family members might have inherited a home, and sometimes, the beneficiary might live several s
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Negotiating Like a Real Estate Pro
Good negotiation is an art form, and you’ll often hear it said that the best deals allow both people to walk away feeling as if they’ve gotten what they want, or at least part of it.  While it can take time and practice to hone your negotiation skills, whether you’re on the buying or selling end, keep the following tips in mind.  Always Be Prepared to Walk Away
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5 Ways to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar
When you plan to put your home on the market, aside from selling it, you probably have a couple of other overarching goals. You likely want to sell it as fast as possible, but perhaps even more importantly, you want to sell it for top dollar. Certain steps can help you achieve all three goals, but especially maximizing how much you can sell your home for. 1. Carefully Consider Ho
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Top 7 Updates to Increase Your Home Value
When you’re planning to sell your home, you want to get the most money for it and ensure it stays on the market for the shortest amount of time possible. A big part of achieving both of these objectives is working with an experienced real estate professional and setting the price so that it’s aggressive and competitive.  Beyond that, you might wonder whether you should make updates
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When Is the Best Time To Sell a House?
When someone sells a house, they want to get as much money as they can while selling as quickly as possible. In order to achieve this, the home sale needs to be done strategically -- and at the right time. Placing a home on the market during a bad season or time of year can result in lower offers, less interest, and a longer window to sell. So when is the best time to sell a house? Is there a magical day or month to li
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7 Fixes You Should Do Before Listing Your Home for Sale
To repair or not? You may be preparing to list your home for sale, and you’re not sure which of those lingering repairs and fixes you should make before doing so, and which you should let go. As you decide what to repair and how much time and money to spend, consider a few things.  First, what’s the market like? Will you be likely to see a return on your investment if you make the repairs? What are buyers most likely to no
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The Pros and Cons of Buying a Fixer-Upper
Every neighborhood has a few fixer-upper houses that are run-down, outdated, or abandoned. A creative homebuyer might drive past these properties and think how great they could look with a little work and a fresh coat of paint.  However, buying a fixer-upper is a significant investment, both in time and money. While you have the chance to buy your dream house, you could also be in for a lot more work. Here are the pros and
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Down Payments: How Much Money Should You Put Down?
One of the biggest barriers to home ownership is the down payment. Many people want to own homes but aren’t able to afford the 20% down payment they think they need to have to buy. But, the truth is down payment amounts actually fluctuate greatly depending on various factors, and this means homeownership might be closer than you think. Here’s what you need to know about making down payments and how you can determine how much home you can afford. What Is a Down Payment? A down payme
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5 Sustainable Home Improvements That Add Value to a House
More buyers are looking for sustainable homes than ever before. This is great news for home sellers, who can make their homes more appealing with a few small upgrades. Also, sustainable home improvements have a higher resale value than others so it can bring in a higher price for the seller. If you’re considering adding a few environmentally-friendly features to your home, check out a few of these top options that will
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Maximize Your Garage: Tips for Organizing and Using It
Have you ever taken a look around your garage and thought there had to be a better way to use the space? Maybe you don’t use it for vehicles at all, and you have plenty of unused space, or you might use part of it to park a vehicle, but then the rest goes to waste.  Your garage can be anything from fun to functional, and the following are some inspiration for how to use it more effectively, as well as organizational tips. 
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Taking Out the Toxins: How to Make Your Home Healthier
We spend a significant portion of our lives in our homes, and that means if they’re filled with toxins, it may affect our health. If you make an effort to have a healthier, fresher home and remove potential toxins, it may help improve your family’s health. The following are some ways to cut toxins out of your home and make a healthier space for everyone.  Clean Air Indoor air
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Browse These 15 Home Styles To Find Your Dream Home
When you first start shopping for a house, you might be surprised by how many different home styles are available to you. Many homes have similar styles but also come with certain nuances that set them apart. There are dozens of home styles out there, but here are the top 15 in-demand options that you can consider when buying a house. #1) Ranch Ranch-style homes are modeled after houses built in the historic
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A Public Affair: How Being Near Transit Boosts Property Values
When it comes to real estate, location is everything as the old saying goes. While neighborhood amenities like shops, restaurants and good schools are important, so is public transportation. Of course, in suburban and rural areas, this may not be available or relevant, but in urban areas, buyers seem to be willing to pay a premium for proximity to transit.  So what should you know about proximity to transportation and how
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Making a List and Checking It Twice: Winter Maintenance to Do This Year
Winter is here and along with the holidays, family time, and coziness many of us associate with the season, there’s something else lurking on our to-do list: winter maintenance. Winter maintenance keeps your home working the way it sure during the cold weather months, protects you and your family, and ensures you’re ready for the spring thaw. The following are some things to include on this year’s winter maintenance checklist. 1.      Seal Leaks First and foremost, make your way aroun
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Selling Your Home As-Is: The Pros and Cons
As you prepare to sell your house and look at comparable home listings, you may come across the term “as-is” to refer to the state of a home on the market. At face value, this might seem like a strategic way to sell your house without having to invest much into curb appeal or repairs. However, there are drawbacks to selling your home as-is. Let’s look at what this real estate term means and who can benefit from it. What Does it Mean to Sell Your Home “As-Is”? Selling a home as-is m
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How To Find a Realtor Who Has Your Back
When you’re ready to buy or sell a home, it’s a big and often overwhelming decision. There are a lot of factors that go into the process, and the best thing you can do for yourself in the long and short-term is choose a professional realtor who’s going to be your partner through this process. When you buy or sell a home, it’s not only a big lifestyle decision, but it’s also a massive financial decision.  There are so many
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5 Places in the United States to Invest in a Vacation Home
There are plenty of compelling reasons to invest in a vacation home. There are personal reasons of course, but there can also be financial advantages. If you’re a first-time real estate investor thinking about buying a vacation property, you can rent it out when you’re not using it and cover the costs and hopefully make a profit as well.  Real estate investments help you build value through appreciation, which frequently h
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6 Top Tips for Selling a Home in the Winter
Most homes hit the real estate market in the spring or summer, which is often considered the best time to sell a house. Homeowners try to use the curb appeal of flowering plants and lush, green trees to make their house seem more picturesque. However, not everyone has the luxury of waiting for summer to sell their home. You may need to move your home quickly because of a relocation or because you want t
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How to Read a Home Insurance Quote: 3 Factors to Consider
Home insurance is an essential part of buying a house. However, many homebuyers end up feeling so overwhelmed by the buying and closing process that they simply accept whichever home insurance provider their Realtor® recommends. While your Realtor® may recommend an insurance provider that has drafted good quotes for their clients in the past, the agent might not be right for you. The best way to choose the right home insurance provider is to shop around and see what kind of offers are availab
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Do I Need Flood Insurance For My House?
The most common questions that buyers ask when they shop for home insurance coverage are: Do I need flood insurance for my house? Should I get flood insurance if I’m not in a flood zone? Does hurricane coverage also handle flood damage?  If you find yourself wondering the same thing, keep reading. We can address different situations for when you would want this type of coverage, when you wouldn’t, and what you can expect to pay for it. You Need Flood Insurance if Your Live In a
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5 Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays
Selling your home during the holidays might not feel ideal, but you may need to do it for one reason or another. There are actually some pros and cons to having your home on the market during the holiday season. For example, there are often buyers who very much need to buy a property, regardless of whether or not it’s the holidays.  There may be
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How to Refresh Without a Renovation
It’s officially the holiday season, which might mean you’re hosting friends and family. In the spirit of the season, you may want to update and refresh your home without the time and financial investment that comes with a full remodel. Luckily, there are some things you can do to breathe new life into your home without taking on a complete renovation.   RELATED CONTENT:
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Making It Work: Tips for Long-Distance House-Hunting
Long-distance—just the phrase might make you feel apprehensive. It’s not just long-distance relationships that get a bad reputation. Long-distance house-hunting is challenging in so many ways. When you’re looking for a house long-distance, there are the obvious logistical challenges, as well as the fact that you may not be familiar with the area where you’re moving. Of course, people successfully find houses from across the country or even the world every day, and
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7 Decorating Trends that Deserve to Resurface
Decorating is a fickle thing. One moment, something’s all the rage, and the next, it’s an instant sign of a dated home. Sometimes, however, as is the case with fashion there are decorating and interior design trends that come back around. The following are some of the trends that we’d like to see making a comeback in 2020.  1. The 50s-Style Den Before everyone had a massive fl
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Don’t Overdo It: Steps to Make Sure You Don’t Over-Improve Your Home
Whether your home is currently on the market, or you’re thinking about putting it up for sale soon, you may want to make some improvements. Improvements can be a good thing, but you have to balance any improvements you make with the potential that you’re going overboard. Over-improving is something a lot of homeowners do. They put so much into upgrades and renovations that they essentially have little equity left in their homes, and they reduce its
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How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a House?
Some homeowners are drawn to the idea of buying a fixer-upper that they can completely renovate. What they save on the home cost, they want to invest in creating the kitchen, family area, and backyard of their dreams. However, it’s not easy to estimate the cost to renovate a house, and many people go over budget with the labor and materials needed to make their home livable. Here’s what you need to keep in mind to budget properly.
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How to Find a Realtor® Who Is a Perfect Fit for Your Needs 
When you look to find a Realtor®, you’ll quickly realize the real estate profession is incredibly diverse. Realtors® work within specific niches and specialize in unique client bases and home type. Some Realtors® sell condos to newly retired residents, while others work with first-time homebuyers to navigate the whole process. Unfortunately, a simple Google search won’t tell you these nuances. You might read dozens
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6 Reasons You Might Hire a Real Estate Lawyer
A real estate lawyer is a professional who you may have to work with for various reasons. In some states, you can’t complete a real estate transaction, including buying or selling without a real estate lawyer being present.  If you don’t live in one of those states, there are still different reasons you might end up needing to work with an attorney who specializes in real estate law.
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Find the Perfect Place to Build a Home: 4 Factors to Consider
Building your dream home is an opportunity for you to create something personal that meets all of your needs. You can choose the layout and the number of rooms, and you don’t have to worry about renovating around someone else’s design aesthetic. While this sounds like an exciting prospect, choosing the right place to build your home can determine how successful your efforts will be. There are several factors that you should consider if you plan to build a home. Use this guide to make sure
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What Should You Do When Mortgage Rates Are Low?
Every news outlet has remarked on the mortgage rates of 2020 hitting record lows multiple times, which has resulted in an interesting situation for real estate during a global pandemic. People are thinking more about where they spend time with their families and friends. Many are moving out of the tight-quarters of the cities and out into the suburbs with more greenspace and more square footage for families to spread out, where kids and parents can make a better attempt at working and going to s
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Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance: How Do They Compare and What Should You Know?
Warranty and insurance are two terms that can sound quite a bit alike in their purpose and function, but that’s not necessarily the case. A home warranty and home insurance are two concepts, both offering a level of protection and peace of mind for homeowners, but doing so in different ways.  What is a Home Warranty? A home warranty is somewhat like a form of insurance for you
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What Do Real Estate Agents Do? (And Why You Probably Need One)
Between for sale by owner properties and websites and apps that claim to sell your house within a few days, some people may wonder why they need to hire real estate professionals. What does a Realtor® do that a homeowner couldn’t do themselves or that technology can’t automate? You may not notice the work your real estate agent does for you because so much of it is done at their office. You don’t see them working in fro
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What to Expect (and Do) During Your First Meeting with a Realtor®
When you’re looking to move, either by selling your home or buying a new one, one of the first steps involves meeting with a Realtor®. Your agent will be the person who guides you through the process and acts as your lifeline throughout the buying or selling process. They will offer advice and work hard to put you in the best financial position possible. During your first meeting with a Realtor®, make sure y
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Make the Jump From Investor to Landlord With these Tips
Once you’ve invested in property, it can leave you feeling like you’re ready to take on the world. There’s just one problem—an investment implies you’re going to be making a return. For many people who are property investors, they become landlords and rent out the properties they own. Being a landlord can be financially rewarding, but it also comes with a set of challenges. The following are some tips to help you navigate the complex world of being a first-time la
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Don’t Get Stuck in a Bad Neighborhood with These Tips
When you buy a house, you’re also buying the neighborhood and the neighbors. Location and all that comes with it can be one of the biggest selling points of a property, but it can also cause property values to drop even if the house itself is great.  Before you buy a home, you want to delve into the neighbors and the neighborhood. You want to ensure that everything, and not just the home you’re buying, works for your prior
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10 Home Staging Tips That Sell a House Fast
Home staging is the process of setting up a house with furniture and décor so it will be more likely to sell -- and sell for more money. Professional Realtors® know how to evaluate a home and make changes so it is more appealing to buyers. Even the most well-designed homes may undergo staging to prepare them for the market. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of time or money staging your home. You can prepare it for an open house and
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Parents Can Buy a Family-Friendly Home by Considering These 6 Factors
If your family is expanding, then it may be time to buy a new home. Whether you are giving up the condo or townhouse that served you well as a couple or looking for a home with more rooms, searching for a family-friendly home is a major step in your life as people and as parents. Along with the features of the house, you also need to consider long-term factors like nearby schools and the other kids in the neighborhood.
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5 Things to Consider When Buying a House With Parent's Help
There are many benefits to buying a house. You can build up your credit history with regular payments while also investing in your future finances. Instead of paying rent, you can put money into a home that you one day might sell for a profit.  While buying a house can be financially beneficial, it is often out of reach for many young people who don’t have much saved, aren’t in high-paying positions, or need to pay student
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List Your Home: 10 Things to Do When You Want to Sell
Even in the hottest markets, getting ready to list your home is a process. You want to do everything you can to make sure you get the best offers and can move your house quickly for a great price. If you are considering selling your house, make sure you are prepared. Follow these 10 tips to list your home successfully to make the most out of your investment. #1) Gather Your Paperwork Even before your fir
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4 Things You Need to Know About Real Estate Negotiation
Real estate negotiation is tough. Sellers want to get the most for their home based on its perceived value, and buyers want to negotiate down to get a good price. It can lead to a tough battle for the best deal. Negotiation doesn’t come easy for most people, and it requires practice, which is why many people hire real estate agents to do the negotiating for them. It’s one of the top benefits of using a Realtor®
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5 Must-Have Tax Tips When You Sell a House
When it comes to tax-saving tips for selling a house, there is a lot to know. Whether you’re selling your house because you want to up- or downsize, or you’re moving to a different part of the country, the last thing you likely want is to be stuck with a big tax bill.  In gene
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Real Estate Market Analysis: How To Research a Neighborhood
The first part of selling your home is to conduct a real estate market analysis. If you are considering selling your home, you may have an idea for what you want to list it for. Most homeowners expect people to pay top-dollar for their house, or at least more than they paid for it. But, you shouldn’t guess at a price. It’s important to take your subjective belief and adjust it with an objective insight. A real estate market
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Things to Know When Selling an Inherited Home
If you inherited a house from a loved one, it can initially feel like a very generous gift. However, if you’re inheriting a house, it likely means it’s an emotional time and you’ve lost someone you love. It can also be challenging to know what the best financial decisions are. There are both legal and tax considerations to keep in mind, as well as implications that come with selling any house, inherited or otherwise.  Wh
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6 Ways to Save Money (& Profit More) When Selling Your Home
When you’re selling your home, you might only be thinking about the money you’re going to make. There can be costs, however. By being strategic from the start, there are ways to reduce costs when selling a home, including these following tips. 1. Hire a Qualified Realtor Yes, some people think that if you
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What’s It Worth? How to Determine the Value of Your Home
If you’re thinking of selling your home anytime soon, one of the most important things you’ll need to consider is its value. As you’re asking yourself the value of your home, there are specific factors that should be considered.  Even if you’re not sure that you’re ready to sell your home, you might be curious as to the value because it’s likely your biggest investment.  What You
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What's a Seller's Market? How to Tell When It's Time to Sell
The housing market is constantly fluctuating. Changes in supply and demand determine whether the market favors people who are ready to sell or people who are ready to buy. The market shifts between being a seller’s market and a buyer’s market and the state of the market can determine a home’s selling price. The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact businesses around the globe, and real estate is no different. Let’s look at one of these shifts in particular: the seller’s market. This art
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Top Selling Phoenix Realtor Dishes Advice to Sellers for 2021
In our series interviewing top real estate agents around the country, we spoke with veteran Realtor® Bruno Aropovic, the top selling agent in the Phoenix, Arizona region, closing over 100 transactions January-March, 2020. Within his 14-year career, Bruno has sold $112+ Million in real estate. EffectiveAgents.com (EA): Bruno, thanks so much for joining me and for granting this interview for EffectiveAgents.com. I have a
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Top 5 myths people have about buying a house
You need a big down payment
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2020 Average Realtor® Commission Rates & Fees
Each year the EffectiveAgents® team looks at a large sample of US home transactions to determine the average real estate commission percentage that a home seller might expect to pay. 2020 was an unusual year and the fees that real estate agents charge were impacted. Overall, the year yielded some interesting changes to fee landscape.  With homes selling quicker and agents utilizing more tech than ever, average realtor commissions were markedly lower. 2020 Average Realtor® Commission Rate
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6 Ways to Create an Outdoor Oasis
One of the primary preferences many homebuyers have right now is plenty of outdoor space. In fact, some buyers and, in particular, millennials are willing to forego that extra bedroom for a bigger yard. There’s a preference for outdoor living spaces and usable outdoor areas that allow homeowners to bring their lives inside or out. If you have outdoor space but you’re not sure how to maximize its use, the following are some ways to get started. 
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How Snow and Ice Can Damage Your Home (& What to Do About It)
The first few snowfalls of the year conjure images of cozy nights inside, snowball fights, and light, fluffy flakes covering the town. While snow can be fun for kids and beautiful for adults, it can also be dangerous for homeowners. Even a few inches can significantly impact your home. Learn about the different types of house damage from snow and how you can prevent them with
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Clever Space-Saving Solutions for the New Year
A new year is almost here, which means most of us are tackling those things we put off for most of the year otherwise. One thing that might be on your New Year’s to-do list? Organizing. With some clever organization tips, you can maximize the available space in your home.  Wall-Mounted Storage
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Soundproofing Your Home from the Outside In
When you think about your home, you want it to be your refuge and a place where you can go to enjoy a sense of peace and tranquility. Dealing with loud noises probably isn’t in-line with that concept, particularly noise related to traffic or other sounds coming from outside.  Homes can feel even noisier these days because they’re often constructed with open floorplans, and we rely extensively on things like home entertainm
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Fabulous Floors: The Trends in Flooring for 2021
Whether you’re planning to be a home buyer in the future and you’re searching for your dream home, you’re making upgrades to your existing home to prepare to sell it, or you simply want to give your current home a facelift, flooring can be a great place to start.  In fact, new flooring can bre
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5 Interior Trends to Look Out For in 2021
Keeping up with interior trends can help you sell your home. A few key choices in your paint and styling can present your home as a modern, updated option for buyers. You can present a desirable lifestyle and attract specific demographics to place bids on your home. Updating your home to accommodate the latest interior trends is all part of the staging process. Home staging can help you get more offers and drive more interes
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Making Cents of It: What Do Mortgage Rates Mean for You?
Mortgage rates impact buyers and sellers significantly, but it’s a concept frequently misunderstood. With the importance of mortgage rates in real estate, it’s a topic worth exploring.  The Basics: What Are Mortgage Rates? When you buy a home and you borrow money in the form of a mortgage, the bank typically agrees to pay around 80% of the total cost. The remaining 20% is your
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Real Estate Tech Company Founder Talks Covid-era Trends and Solutions for Municipalities
As published in Florida Politics article by Daphne Taylor Street, senior writer EffectiveAgents.com EffectiveAgents.com is a St. Petersburg, FL-based tech company that was born during the mortgage crisis of 2009 as a solution to finding the best agents to buy or sell real estate when everything seemed im
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Facing Recession Fears: What Does It Mean for Real Estate?
On nearly every media outlet, there’s an ongoing discussion about when the next recession will be. As we’re already approaching the end of 2020, some wonder if the next economic downturn will be in 2021. The national economy is slowing down and could enter into a recession next year due to the "disorienting, distracting and dizzying" events of 2020, according to Bernard Baumohl the chief global economist for the The Economic Outlook Group. He then said that a recession is “90% likely if there
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What To Expect: Fees When Selling a House
When you plan to sell your home, you may be thinking only about the profit you’ll make and perhaps what you’re going to spend on your next home. There’s something else to think about as well, though.  The fees.  When you sell a house, you have to pay different fees, and in some cases, they can be relative
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Buy Your First Rental Property: 5 Factors to Consider
If you are looking for a long-term investment that can provide passive income, then you may want to think about buying your first rental property. When managed well, a rental property can house tenants for several years with minimal turnover. Keeping the house in good working order and staying proactive about maintenance can prevent major issues and make your tenants feel comfortable. However, there are a few things to consider if this is your first foray into the world of property investment
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Buyer's Market or Seller's Market: How Can You Tell?
When you decide to buy or sell a home, you might discover that everyone thinks they are a real estate expert when it comes to determining whether it’s a buyer’s market or a seller’s market. Your coworker may warn you that it’s a seller’s market while your mom cautions against the buyer’s market. Stuck in the middle, you might not know what kind of market it is and what it means for your real estate prospects. Many people list their homes regardless of the type of market they are in. However,
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How To Make an Offer on a House: Walk Through the Process
When you get ready to make an offer on a house, it can be nerve-wracking. Buying a house is one of the biggest events of your life. It’s a big investment and commitment. But, there is no reason to worry if you are prepared and aware of your options during the offer process. Use the following information to understand what happens when you make an offer on a house so you feel confident going into the process and you can improve your chances of having your offer accepted. #1) Choose a Good
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Real Estate Forecast for Tampa Bay in 2021
Each week, we bring you real-time information for real estate markets around the nation. We interview our Top Agents and this week we spoke with veteran Realtor© Jason Pithers, one of the top selling agents in the Tampa Bay region, selling over 60 million dollars in real estate, just last year. Effective Agents: Jason, thanks so much for joining me and for granting this interview for EffectiveAgents.com
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8 Common Real Estate Contingencies Buyers & Sellers Should Know
When buying or selling a house, you will need to go through a negotiation process that sets the final price on the home and all related real estate contingencies. Knowing what contingencies are and how to use them to get the best and most secure deal will make the process easier and less stressful. Learn more about real estate contingencies and how you can use them when buying or selling a house. What Does Continge
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How Long Does It Take to Sell a House on Average
One of the top questions that people ask when they decide to list a property is, “how long does it take to sell a house?” Sellers want to know how long they will have to wait to unload a property and when they should consider listing their home. There are a lot of moving factors involved in home sales. Here are a few things to consider when deciding how long it takes to sell a house and how you can increase the chances that you sell your home fast. The Average Number of Days Fluctuates W
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Buy or sell a home with an EffectiveAgent and we'll donate thousands to Habitat for Humanity
EffectiveAgents.com has forged a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties to create a custom platform that donates a percentage of real estate transactions to help fight the battle for affordable housing. The leadership at EffectiveAgents.com understands that in the wake of Covid-19, donations to causes such as housing initiatives have reduced. Therefore, they have developed a system to leverage donations, increasing resources for Habitat for Humanity, benefittin
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A New Way to Give Back, to the American Cancer Society
EffectiveAgents.com has forged a partnership with The American Cancer Society to create a custom platform that donates a percentage of real estate transactions to the battle against cancer. The leadership at EffectiveAgents.com understands that in the wake of Covid-19, donations to causes such as cancer research and treatment have reduced. Therefore, they have developed a system to leverage donations, increasing resources to fight this disease that a
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Is 2020 the Year to Sell Your Home?
2020 has been a doozy! Unemployment is rocky and the Coronavirus has really shaken the economy. At the same time, mortgage rates recently hit a historic low and the stock market is soaring.  Historically Low Mortgage Rates According to Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage just went down to 3.45%.
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What Impact Will Covid-19 Have On The US Real Estate Market?
As investors and homeowners grapple with concerns over the value of their investments, many are asking the question; "How will Covid-19 impact the value of my home or investment properties?". While it's still early EffectiveAgents.com does have some insight on how Coronavirus might impact the US real estate market. The Impact Of Covid-19 on Real Estate Markets Won't Be Clear Until Summer 2020 The sales cycle in real estate is so drawn out that it's difficult to tell how
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2020 Vision: What to Expect In Real Estate For the New Year
We’re on the brink of a new year, which means a new focus on real estate. The United States real estate market is fast-moving, and there is a myriad of variables that play a role in where the trends go, but the following are some general things you might be able to expect in 2020.  Mortgage Rate Lows With current
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Do the Colors of the Year Tell Us About the Mindset of America?
Every year, Pantone Color Institute chooses a color of the year. Individual paint companies often have their own color of the year as well. For 2020, some are saying the chosen colors of the year reflect the mindset and overall priorities of the American people. For example, the colors are moving away from bright and bold. Instead, they are inspired by nature and create a sense of tranquility and peace, which can be so important in a hectic, increasingly stressful
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2020 Vision: What to Expect In Real Estate For the New Year
We’re on the brink of a new year, which means a new focus on real estate. The United States real estate market is fast-moving, and there is a myriad of variables that play a role in where the trends go, but the following are some general things you might be able to expect in 2020.  Mortgage Rate Lows With current mortgage rates hovering a
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Nature’s Unpredictability: How It Affects the Real Estate Market
Natural disasters seem to happen almost constantly across the country. For example, there are currently wildfires burning in California. In 2019 so far, around 160,000 acres have burned in the state, and the worst may not be over yet. Typically, the most destructive California wildfires
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Spooky Season: Spirited Halloween-Themed Marketing Tips
For real estate agents and real estate professionals, it’s advantageous to use seasonal trends and upcoming holidays as part of your marketing. It gives you a way to get creative as you appeal to buyers and sellers, and of course, the festivity is fun as well.  Consider the following Halloween-themed marketing events to grow your business and take advantage of a fun holiday that’s often overlooked. 
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7 Ways to Bring Your Fall and Halloween Décor to the Next Level
Fall is the perfect time to integrate some seasonal décor into your home, both inside and out. You can go for a warm, cozy feeling or something a little spookier. The following are some general tips for fall and Halloween décor that’s chic but also fun and festive.  Reconsider the Traditional Pumpkin Instead of going with t
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Do I Qualify for Any First-Time Home Buyer Programs?
Many young adults want to buy homes, but face overwhelming barriers when it comes to affording down payments and navigating the complex world of financing. Fortunately, there are many first-time home buyer programs that are meant to give people the leg up they need.  If you want to buy a home but aren’t sure if you are financially ready, consider whether any of these loans,
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How Much Is My House Worth? 4 Ways to Find Out
Technology has revolutionized the real estate industry and there are several great options available to homeowners that need to know how much their home is worth. Understanding home value is especially critical for sellers who are tasked with establishing a price that will generate sufficient demand to sell their home quickly.  Knowing your home's value will also help you budget for your next move. If you’re scratching
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How To Find and Qualify Top Real Estate Agents
Working with a good Realtor® is essential when trying to buy or sell a home at the best price. If a Realtor® doesn’t give your deal enough time or energy, you could end up having an awful experience and suffering financially.  Most people know they need to find a good real estate agent, but few know where to find one – or how to properly qualify them. We’re here to help.  Check out
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How to Choose a Realtor® When the Options Are Overwhelming
It can be difficult to know how to choose a Realtor®. There are an estimated two million real estate agents around the country.  In June of this year, National Association of Realtors® membership reached an all-time
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Home Design Tips to Fall For This Season
Fall can be a favorite season for a lot of us. It represents the time where we’re maybe spending more time at home with family, cooking and enjoying the events of the season. You’re back from your summer travels, and you might be in nesting mode once again. This makes it the ideal time cozy-up your home décor and your exterior décor as well. The following are essential fall decorating and design ideas to implement in the coming weeks. 
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How Can Home Buyers Make Sense of Interest Rates?
Interest rates have been on somewhat of a wild ride since the end of 2015. At that time, the Federal Reserve started raising rates, and since then, there have been several rate hikes. Before the end of 2015, rates were steadily low at points near zero for years following the Great Recession as part of an effort to promote recovery and spark growth. The Fed doesn’t determine moves in mortgage rates, at least not directly, because they deal with short-term rates. Ho
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Hurricanes and Housing: How Storm Season Affects Real Estate
Unfortunately, natural disasters are part of life, and we’re currently in the middle of hurricane season. June is the start of hurricane season, and it goes through the fall, ending November 30. According to the Office for Coastal Management, Hurricane Harvey damage led to costs of $125 billion, and the total cost of the 16 weather events in the U.S. in 2017 was
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USAA® Real Estate Rewards Network Status & Options
The USAA® Real Estate Rewards program has been discontinued, however, rewards options remain. EffectiveAgents® is committed to providing real estate rewards benefits to all active duty and retired military members and their families.
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8 Types of Mortgages: Which Home Loan Is Right for You?
People often refer to a mortgage as a single entity. However, there are multiple types of mortgages that potential homebuyers can choose.  While some mortgage options might not be right for you, you could be able to afford a home with an alternative choice. While these are more than a dozen types of mortgages out there, we are going to review the eight most common that you can use to
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2019 Average Realtor® Commission Rates & Fees
Click Here For Average Real Estate Commissions in 2020. The EffectiveAgents® team took a hard look at average Realtor® commission rates so far in 2019 to determine how much the average real estate agent receives in gross compensation for a full-service listing. A lot has changed in the real estate world over the last several years.  New services have emerged that offer homeowners discounted list
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How Can I Sell My House Fast?
People often ask two questions when they want to put their homes on the market: how can I make the most money and how can I sell my house fast?  While the price of your home is often dependent on the market and its condition, there are some ways to control the speed with which you sell your house
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Home-Buying Lingo: The Terms You Should Know
If you’re on the path to buying a home, it can be overwhelming. You are making one of the biggest purchases you have ever or perhaps will ever make. Terms are being thrown around, and you’re not entirely sure what they mean. Are you worried you’re going to make the wrong decision because you aren’t clear on the language of home-buying? If so, you’re not alone. While certainly not exhaustive, the following are some of the
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Real Estate Scams Even the Savviest Buyers and Sellers Should Watch For
As a real estate buyer or seller, if you’ve done your homework and you’re prepared you may feel there’s no way you could be the target of a scam. Even the most proactive and prepared sellers and buyers can fall victim to certain scams, however.  Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest transactions you might ever make in your life, so it makes sense to be vigilant and on-guard throughout the process. 
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Should I Sell My House for Cash?
We have answers for you if you're wondering, "Should I sell my house for cash?" There are multiple websites, groups, and promotions that claim to buy your house for cash, letting you move quickly and skip the showing, negotiating, and financing processes. This is a different process from listing and selling your house for a cash offer. This is a process when a person or group (usually an equity purchase company) buys your house for a cash offer, often with all
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When Are The Best Seasons To Sell Your Home?
Selling a home can be a very demanding task especially when you are looking to sell one quickly. Whenever you are looking to sell a home, it will be important to sell at the right time. By selling a home at the right time, you will be in position to sell your home within a matter of weeks as well as get a higher sale price. When it comes to selling a home, there are better times than others. Those who plan on selling a home will benefit most when they are looking
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5 Tips For Buyers on How to Work with a Real Estate Agent
If you are a first-time home buyer, you may not know what working with a real estate agent is like. How do you hire one? What do they do? How do Realtors® get paid? These are all questions that new buyers ask when they first start out, and many rely on the real estate agents themselves to provide the information. But, an informed buyer is a smart buyer. So use these tips for working wit
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Looking Forward: What Can We Expect in Real Estate?
Currently, the United States is in the midst of the longest period of economic expansion in history, many economists believe that this isn’t likely to hold on much longer. Most economists predict a recession in 2020 or possibly even sooner at the end of 2019,
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For Sale By Owner (FSBO): Is It a Good Idea in 2023?
How Does For Sale By Owner Work in Real Estate? | FSBO Most people have seen “For Sale By Owner” signs as they drive around town. These are home sales where the listing, negotiations, and closing costs are controlled by the owner, without a Realtor&re
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Essential Tips To Give You An Edge In The Home Selling Process
The process of selling a home is incredibly complex. This is one of the largest financial transactions you will likely make in your lifetime, making it a process that deserves a great amount of focus. There are many things you can do to make the most of the home-selling process in order to receive the best offer possible and make the process as least stressful as possible. These five tips will help give you a
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Where To Start With Home Owners Insurance
When you are in the process of buying a home or simply looking into buying a home, the lender you work with will likely require that you purchase homeowners insurance. Unfortunately, many homeowners simply buy the policy their lender recommends without fully understanding the options they have and all the intricate features that home insurance can provide if they take the time to do their research. Below are five
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First Time Buyers Checklist
Interested in buying a home for the first time? Becoming a first-time home buyer can be quite exciting. But it can also be a downright stressful and challenging process. You should avoid making an impulse purchase in which you end up with a costly mortgage. Here are five tips for first-time home buyers as enter the market. Come Up With a Budget & Stick to It Maybe there's a home you're already interested in, but you're not sure if you can afford it. This can be a problem if you do
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5 Ways to Sell Your House for More Money
Selling your home is a way to recoup your investment. You want to earn back the money you paid for the property, invested in upgrades, and earned through growth in the housing market. Unfortunately, not everyone gets this money back. Some people undersell their home or aren’t strategic in how they market it. If you want to turn a profit on your home sale, make sure you are taking advantage of everything offered to you. Check out these five ways to sell your house for more money. #1) I
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Where to Spend the Most On a Home Renovation Before You Sell?
Let's face it. You want the most bang for your buck when looking to sell your home. However, not every spot in your home is created equal. Some renovations can dramatically increase the value of our homes more than others. If you are selling a house, this is very important to know. If you are looking at buying a home, it could be a great opportunity to increase the
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Navigating Interest Rates, Acquiring a Loan, and How Much to Put Down?
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you can make. But finding the right financing at an affordable interest rate can be tricky. To make the process just a little easier, we've put together a checklist of everything you need to keep in mind before you close the deal. The Mortgage Process Before we delve into securing a great interest rate, let's talk about the mortgage process first. Knowing how muc
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The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Home Owner’s Association (HOA)
When it comes to purchasing a home, they may be nothing as contentious as a homeowner's association. Some people swear against the concept of an HOA; however, this type of organization can provide benefits that other homeowners prefer. In this article, we will present to you the drawbacks and benefits of considering a neighborhood with a Home Owner's Association.  Drawbacks of a Homeowner's Association The obvious
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How Important is a Quality Home Appraiser?
Whether buying or refinancing a home, find a quality home appraiser does require knowledge to navigate and find the right one.  A home appraiser inspects a home, assessing construction, amenities, location, and anything that might have an impact on the home’s value. Banks use them prior to issuing a mortgage, insurance com
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The 6 Biggest First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes and Misconceptions
Even the most prepared first-time home buyer can make a mistake in the buying process. There are so many steps involved in buying a home and so many intricacies to consider that it is nearly impossible for one person to consider everything the first time around. Fortunately, there are people and resources that can help. The right Realtor® can guide you through the buyi
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How Do You Know If Your Agent Is Doing The Most For You?
Each year the EffectiveAgents® team looks at a large sample of US home transactions to determine the average real estate commission percentage that a home seller might expect to pay. 2020 was an unusual year and the fees that real estate agents charge were impacted. Overall, the year yielded some interesting changes to fee landscape.  With homes selling quicker and agents utilizing more tech than ever, average realtor commissions were markedly lower. 2020 Average Realtor® Commission Rate
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How to Understand Your Local Housing Market
Understanding your local housing market is crucial if you own property and are looking to sell it or if you are actively in the market looking for a new home. You don't want to overpay for a new home but you also don't want to fire sell the home you currently have. We're going to break down how to find out if you are in a good or bad real estate market and what you can do about it. Good or Bad Market? Typically in
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Townhouse vs. House: Find Out What’s Best for You
You have many choices to consider when buying a house. How many bedrooms do you want? What key features are most important to you? Where do you want to live? And, what type of home do you want -- a townhouse or a free-standing house? Townhouses are like most other houses, except that they are narrow, multi-storied, and attached to other houses on the street. You might see a row of 10 townhouses attached to each other on a
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How to Find Accurate House Prices Where You Want to Buy
Knowing house prices is one of the most important aspects of buying a home. If you can’t find affordable homes in your area or underestimate how much homes cost then you could end up living paycheck-to-paycheck in order to keep up your investment. One of the first steps that come with buying a house is determining what you can afford and where those homes are in your area. Use these steps to find accurate house pric
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What Are Closing Costs? | What is Included in Closing Costs?
When buying a new house, many people consider the cost of the home but forget to think about the closing costs. To make sure you’re prepared as you go into the home-buying process, use this guide to understand what closing costs are, what is covered, and what you need to pay. What Are Closing Costs? | What is Included in Closing Costs? The closing process is when the title of the property is passed from the previous owner to the buyer. It is at this time that homeowner
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What Home Renovations Give You The Best ROI When Selling
Let's face it. You want the most bang for your buck when looking to sell your home. However, not every spot in your home is created equal. Some renovations can dramatically increase the value of your home over others. Some repairs can be a major expense and others can be done for a fraction of the cost but still leave a major impact. You want to get the most bang for your buck. If you are in the market of selling a house, this is very important to know. If you are looking at buying a home, consi
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Pros & Cons: Real Estate Teams vs. Independent Realtors
Finding the right real estate agent can be intimidating and unfamiliar territory for most home buyers and sellers. Do you go with the agent that just sold your neighbors home? Do you choose the one whose face is plastered on every bench within a 5 mile radius of your home? Or, do you lean towards the recommendation from your sister-in-law's mom who sold her home 7 years ago? It's normal to not want to offend anyone, but ultimately you just need to find a Realtor® who makes you feel c
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30 Yr Mortgage Interest Rate Plunges Under 4% In First Half of 2019
There has been a lot of background noise regarding affordability issues in the housing market - we've been hearing about it for a few years now.  In some major markets home prices fell slightly in the first quarter of 2019.  At the same time, housing inventories have been growing to healthier levels, giving home buyers more options.  All of this is good news and the housing market is finding equilibrium. Against this backdrop we have a new pool of potential first time buyers, under 35, who ar
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How to Find The Best Performing Realtors® in Any City
There are a thousand factors to consider when buying or selling a house. What’s your budget? Is the market timing right? Should you repaint the kitchen to brighten it up? One question you should never have to worry about is whether or not you have a capable real estate agent. Knowing that you have an experienced agent will give you the peace of mind and guidance necessary to manage a complicated transaction.
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Invest in Curb Appeal to Sell Your Home Quicker and for More Money
First Impressions are EVERYTHING when selling your home. According The National Association of Realtors®, 63% of buyers will drive by a listing if they like it online. Most likely, if you are ready to put your home on the market you have probably made some pretty impressive changes to the interior
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Leverage Current Design Trends to Help Sell Your Home Quicker
The thought of selling a home can seem exhausting and stressful. Whether it's a home you have spent the majority of your life in, or a starter home you're just ready to move on from, the process can actually be rewarding and exciting. Many homeowners are conflicted about updating a home they'll soon be leaving, but try to keep an open mind. The questions over whether throwing more money into a property just to sell it are valid and understandable. The truth is, even minor design refresh can be t
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5 Things To Do When Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time
Buying or selling a house is stressful enough when the steps are taken one at a time, but most people aren’t that lucky. Homeowners follow their jobs or their dreams to move to different cities and states, which leaves them trying to juggle the simultaneous home buying and selling process. If this sounds like you, don’t worry. You aren’t the first person to try buying and selling a home at the same time, and you won’t be
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5 Tips for Buying a House in a New City
Picking up and moving to a new city is exciting, but also comes with a variety of concerns and worries. Making a rushed decision can leave you in the wrong neighborhood or far from the city amenities you wanted to live near. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of a successful move. Follow these tips if you are buying a house in a new city so yo
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How to Sell a House Out of State: 6 Tips to Streamline Your Sale
If you have recently inherited a house or needed to move quickly for a new job, then you could be in the complicated position of trying to sell a house out of state. It’s not easy to be in another state while juggling duties like sorting through offers, managing showings, and handling the legalities of home selling. There’s an easy way to sell a house out of state and a hard way.
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Meet The 6 Parties Involved In a Real Estate Transaction
There are several moving pieces involved in selling or buying a house. Banks and financial institutions are involved, legal representatives arrive to appraise the land, and insurers review the risk and value of the space. With so many people and organizations to work with, it can be hard to keep up with everything and everyone. Use this handy guide as you start the home buying process.
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8 Benefits of Using a Realtor® to Buy or Sell Your House
As people get ready to buy or sell a home, some wonder why they need to hire a Realtor®. What do Realtors® do other than showing you homes and arranging paperwork? We'll explore how an agent can make your transaction easier and give you the market access necessary to get the job done. Consumer sentiment about the value of an agent is clear - the overwhelming majority of the public believe that agents are overpaid and do not deliver the sort of added value that the costs suggest.  One thing to
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Paint a Room Fast: 5 Tips for Making Touch-Ups Before You Sell
If you’re looking to sell your house, you likely have a list of minor touch-ups and home improvement tasks you need to finish. These items might not seem like much, but once they’re compiled together in a list, you have hours of work ahead of you. One task, in particular
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Realtors®, Is Your Pricing Strategy Hurting Your Clients?
What's The Best Strategy For Pricing A Home? It's a long held belief that pricing a home at $249,999 is superior to simply rounding to the nearest ten or hundredth thousand (preferably a factor of 10k, 25k or 50k).  Ending a price in .99 is based on the firmly held belief that, since we read from left to right, the first few digits in the price will resonate with us the most.  This is absolutely true...but the modern repercussions are often unexpected.  We need to consider how buyers c
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How to Buy a House: 8 Steps to Find Your Dream Home
If you’re tired of paying rent every month or need to find a bigger place to live to accommodate your family, then you may need to enter the home buying process. Looking for a home and exploring what’s out there is fun, but the actual buying process isn’t always easy. Follow this guide to learn how to buy a house when you’re ready to settle down in a place you love. #1) Meet Wi
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Skip The "Realtors Near Me" Search If You Want To Find The Best Agent
More than 93% of all online experiences begin with a search engine and 81% of customers conduct research online before making a major purchase. This is true with the home buying or selling process. The first thing many people do it search for “realtors near me.” Unfortunately, a generic search
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What Increases (and Decreases) The Appraised Value of a Home?
During the home selling process, you will likely work with an appraiser who evaluates the value of your home. Their job is to make sure that you the buyer isn’t overpaying and potentially putting the holder of the mortgage at risk.  If you ever decide to refinance your mortgage you'll get to meet an appraiser for that as well. However, it is always in your best interest to help the appraiser see your home in it's best ligh
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How to Sell A House In 7 Simple Steps
Buying a house is complex, but selling it is easy, right? Not so much. There are still processes that homeowners need to follow if they are going to get a good top dollar for their house and sell it in a relatively quickly. If this is your first time selling a home, we are here to help. Follow these seven steps to learn how to sell a house. #1) Understand the Cost of Selling Yo
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How Much House Can I Afford? 4 Ways to Set a Budget
You may have your eye on a dream house around the corner, a bungalow by the lake, or a chic city condo, but your budget may have other plans. One of the biggest questions that homeowners have is “how much house can I afford?” How Do I Know How Much House Can I Afford? Buyers want to live comfortably in a place they love, but don’t want to risk going broke. There are a few real estate rules-of-thumb you can follow to help calculate your expenses to make sure your futu
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7 Ways To Increase Home Value Before You Sell
You may think your home is priceless, but buyers and Realtors® in your area have a more realistic view. Realtors® want to show off homes with the best value, while home buyers want to know that they’re making a good investment. If you want to profit (or at least break even) when selling your home, you need to prove that its value has increased since you bought it. There are many factors that increase home value. The national housing market, the
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I'm Ready to Sell My House: Now What?
When you're thinking, "I'm ready to sell my house," there are a few steps you can take before your home hits the market to increase its value and the speed at which it sells. Start making a checklist, because this is what you need to do to get your home sold. 1. Get to Know the Housing Market Start by taking a cursory look at your local market to see how similar homes sell. Look at the listing and selling prices o
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Clever Ways to Make the Most of Your Home’s Space
Whether you’ve just bought a new home or you’re looking for ways to make better use of the space in your existing home, it can be a challenge. Most of us would like more space for storage and livability, but we’re not sure how to make that happen.  The following are some tips and hacks to maximize what you have available. The Kitchen T
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