Buying your first house has never been easy, but for today’s younger generations, it’s increasingly out of reach. High interest rates, soaring home prices, and the heavy burden of student loan debt have made it difficult for young folks to purchase a home on their own. Even cutting out lattes or avocado toast doesn’t do […] The post “Friend Compounds”: The Pros and Cons of Buying Real Estate With Your Besties appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

Being a real estate agent isn’t for everyone; it takes a certain set of skills and personality traits to succeed… But if Santa ever got sick of his one-day-per-year job and became an agent, he’d probably be a top-producer in less time than it takes a kid to rip through their presents on Christmas morning! […] The post 10 Reasons Santa Would Be a Great Real Estate Agent appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

A recent realtor.com article reported that couples are swapping wedding bells for doorbells, choosing to buy a house instead of splurging on a big wedding. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on something that only lasts for a couple of hours, versus spending it on something that will help you build a strong financial future […] The post 8 Funny (But Kinda Legit!) Reasons to Buy a House Instead of Having a Wedding appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

Homebuyers often have mixed feelings about homeowner associations (HOAs)… On one hand, they can add value to your investment by maintaining neighborhood standards and offering amenities like pools or parks. On the other hand, they come with monthly fees (which can be steep) and rules and regulations that can make buyers feel stifled. So if […] The post Buying a Home in an HOA Is Becoming More Common. Is It Right for You? appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

Moving doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, most people start thinking about moving years in advance of actually packing up the moving truck. People need time to think through when and where they’ll move to. But no matter where or when someone moves, there’s always something that’s driving them to do so. Moving isn’t just about […] The post Top 10 Reasons People Plan to Move In the Next Year (According to the Numbers) appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

When you’re house hunting, you’re not just shopping for a home—you’re making a first impression. Getting your offer accepted isn’t always about offering the highest price. Sure, money talks. But it certainly helps if the seller doesn’t have a chip on their shoulder about something you did—especially when there are other buyers in the mix. […] The post 4 Things Buyers (And Their Agents) Do That Drive Home Sellers Crazy During Showings appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

Listing a home is an art form… or at least it should be. But sometimes, the “masterpieces” you see feel more like finger-painting. Online real estate listings are often a buyer’s first impression of a home, which makes it crucial for listing agents to nail every photo and word. The goal? Creating an image so […] The post 10 Listing Faux Pas That Drive Agents (And Their Buyers) up the Wall appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

When you’re looking at houses to buy, you’re probably sizing up if it’s the perfect fit or not by looking at the layout, the condition, and all of the features of the home. While your agent is surely right there with you and chiming in with their take on the house, they’re also likely sizing […] The post 5 Things Your Buyer’s Agent Notices When They Walk Into a Home… and Why appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

Thinking about a major home renovation? You’re probably dreaming of a brand-new kitchen, an open-concept living space, or maybe even that spa-worthy bathroom you’ve always wanted. But before you pick up a sledgehammer and go full HGTV, it’s worth asking yourself a few questions. After all, the road to a Pinterest-perfect home can be a […] The post 4 Things to Ask Yourself Before Doing Major Renovations to Your House appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more

The holiday season is a busy time for most people filled with shopping for gifts, going to parties, hosting guests, and perhaps traveling to visit loved ones. Amid all the holiday cheer and festivities, shopping for a home often doesn’t make the list of top things to do. Besides being busy—and spending more than usual!—many […] The post Why Shopping for a Home During the Holidays Might Be the Best Gift You Give Yourself appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate ..read more