Category Archives: Home Buying Tips

5 Ways to Write a Winning Offer in Today’s Real Estate Market

5 Ways to Write a Winning Offer in Today's Real Estate Market woman and man hugging in celebration in room with boxes Pam Fraser

Our nation is in the midst of a serious housing crunch. Over the last year, a lack of inventory and soaring prices left many would-be homebuyers feeling pinched. But now, with interest rates climbing, many of them are also feeling desperate to lock in a mortgage. This has only added fuel to the fire making it harder for buyers to have that winning offer.

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Double-Pane Windows: Pros and Cons

double-pane windows in a dining room

Double-pane windows have lots of great benefits and will increase the value of your home. But they also have drawbacks that window companies fail to mention when promoting them and touting their energy savings. As a REALTOR, I get to see how they function (or sometimes don’t) in homes.

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The State of Real Estate in 2022

The State of Real Estate in 2022 for sale sign and house

Where is real estate headed in 2022? Last year was definitely one for the real estate history books. The pandemic helped usher in a buying frenzy that caused home prices to soar nationwide by a record 19.9% between August 2020 and August 2021.

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New Construction or Existing Home?

New Construction or Existing Home?

Homebuyers today are facing a huge dilemma. There simply aren’t enough homes for sale.

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9 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time

9 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time

Selling your home when you also are buying a new one can feel daunting to even the most seasoned homeowner. This is especially true when the demand for new homes keeps rising, but the supply feels like it’s dwindling. You’re not alone either if you’re already feeling drained by the complex logistics of buying and selling all at once.

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Appraisals: Why are They so Important in Today’s Real Estate Market?

APPRAISALS: WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT IN TODAY’S REAL ESTATE MARKET?

If you’re searching for drama, don’t limit yourself to Netflix. Instead, tune in to the real estate market, where the competition among buyers has never been fiercer. And with homes selling for record highs, the appraisal process is receiving more attention than ever.

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House Hunting? Don’t Forget these Lifestyle Considerations

Lifestyle Considerations to think about when house hunting. People in different stages of life

Imagine the first place you lived as a young adult. Now imagine trying to fit your life today into that space. Not pretty, right?

For most of us, our housing needs are cyclical. A newly independent adult can find freedom and flexibility in even a tiny apartment. That same space, to a growing family, would feel stifling. For empty nesters, a large home with several unused bedrooms can become impractical to heat and clean. It’s no surprise that life transitions often trigger a home purchase.

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Should I Buy or Sell a Home Without a Real Estate Agent?

Should I Buy or Sell a Home Without a Real Estate Agent?

Today’s real estate market is one of the fastest-moving in recent memory. With record-low inventory in many market segments, we’re seeing multiple offers on most homes. We’re also seeing bidding wars—for homes in the most sought-after neighborhoods. This has led some sellers to question the need for an agent. After all, why spend money on a listing agent when it seems that you can stick a For Sale sign in the yard then watch a line form around the block?

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9 New Year’s Resolutions for Buyers, Sellers and Homeowners

9 New Year's Resolutions for Buyers, Sellers and Homeowners Pam Fraser

The start of a new year always compels people to take a fresh look at their goals, from health and career to relationships and finance. But with historically low mortgage rates, increased home sales and price growth, and a tight housing inventory, the time is right to also make some homeownership resolutions for 2021.

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5 Secrets Buyers and Sellers Must Know About Virtual Home Tours

5 Secrets Buyers and Sellers Must Know About Virtual Home Tours couple watching virtual tour on tablet

For years now, virtual home tours have helped real estate buyers far and wide find the perfect home. They help military personnel being relocated, investors expanding their portfolio, and homeowners looking for a vacation getaway. Virtual tours make finding a house that’s out of driving distance much easier. And for real estate agents, virtual tours have been a useful way to help buyers with their home search. They also allow us to assist sellers in creatively marketing their homes.

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