Happiness, my dear friends, is a bit like a shape-shifting magical creature—constantly changing, often elusive, and occasionally found lurking in unexpected places, like the bottom of a cup of hot cocoa. As a child, happiness was easy. It came in the form of dolls who all had dramatic soap-opera lives under my direction and in […]
Should You Sell Your House As-Is or Make Repairs?
A recent study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows most sellers (61%) completed at least minor repairs when selling their house. But sometimes life gets in the way and that’s just not possible. Maybe that’s why, 39% of sellers chose to sell as-is instead (see chart below): If you’re feeling stressed because you don’t have the time, budget, or resources to […]
Starting a New Day-After-Thanksgiving Tradition
The day after Thanksgiving always feels quieter. The turkey leftovers are tucked in the fridge, the last bit of pie may have been eaten for breakfast, and the festivities fade into a peaceful calm. But while the holiday itself is over, its meaning lingers. Thanksgiving is about gratitude, but I can’t help but wonder […]
Control the Controllables If You’re Worried About Mortgage Rates
Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now, and all you really want to hear is that they’re coming back down. And if you’ve seen headlines about the early November Federal Funds Rate cut by the Federal Reserve (The Fed), maybe you got hopeful mortgage rates would start to decline right away. Although some […]
How Co-Buying a Home Helps with Affordability Today
Buying a home in today’s market can feel like an uphill battle – especially with home prices and mortgage rates putting pressure on your budget. If you’re feeling stuck, co-buying could be one way to help you get your foot in the door. Freddie Mac says: “If you are an aspiring homeowner, buying a home with your family or friends could be […]
Don’t Miss Out on the Growing Number of Down Payment Assistance Programs
With rising home prices and volatile mortgage rates, it’s important you know about every resource that could help make buying a home possible. And one thing you’ll want to be aware of is just how much the number of down payment assistance (DPA) programs has grown lately. Take a look at the graph below to see how many […]
Prepping Your Home for Sale
Follow these tips when preparing your home for sale: Stage each living area to help potential buyers imagine living in that space. Keep all rooms clean, including children rooms. Remove clutter and extra furniture to help the space feel clean and larger.
Top Tips for Buying a Home
Buying a home is an important life decision. Make sure you consider these important tips before you buy: 1. Look at your finances and decide how much you can afford.2. Make sure to physical inspect the home and property for potential fixes and hazards.3. Tour the neighborhood at different hours to get a feel for the […]