Selling a home can be a daunting task, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of a real estate transaction. Even if you're more than prepared to get your property on the market with a trusted real estate agent, you probably just can’t get down to business without doing this critical step: signing a listing agreement. Signing any contract can be nerve-wracking and intimidating. But it doesn't have to be if you understand what the document means. Your agent should also walk you through each part of the service agreement. In this blog post, we’re giving you a headstart to h ..read more

As the weather starts to warm up and the flowers begin to bloom, you might be itching to maximize your outdoor living space. Your backyard is an extension of your home and with the right additions, it can become a functional and relaxing oasis where you and your family can relax and enjoy the beautiful weather.  From practical but stylish options such as shade and outdoor lighting to fun and cozy additions like a grilling station and an outdoor bar cart, we're here to provide you with plenty of inspiration to help you create the backyard of your dreams.   1. Exterior lighting Outdo ..read more

When it comes to applying for a mortgage, remember that there's no such thing as a little “white lie.” Saying fibs that you think are harmless, as well as exaggerating, playing down, or failing to disclose certain information, can all jeopardize your chances of getting approved for a loan. Unfortunately, though, about 1 in 131 applications contained some form of fraud, according to the 2022 Mortgage Fraud Report from CoreLogic. Industry experts and risk managers are particularly on the lookout for an increase in income fraud risk. Here we've touched on some of the things borrowers might think ..read more

Hiring a qualified and trustworthy contractor is one of the most crucial elements of a successful home remodeling project. But finding one isn't easy. Sure, you can ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors, even check online for reviews, but once you’ve put together a list of companies, where do you go from there?  Your home is your haven and one of your biggest investments, so you want to ensure the quality and timeliness of the work. To make a sound decision on which company is the best fit for your project, here are some key questions you can use as a guide during the interv ..read more

House-hunting is no easy journey, especially once you find that there's a limited inventory of previously-owned homes in the housing market.  If you’re a first-time home buyer, you might find that a new construction house is one of your viable options to finally achieve your homeownership dream. According to the National Association of Home Builders, a full one-third of inventory on the market is now new construction homes. But if your knowledge of these newly-built homes is still clouded with a lot of misconceptions, we might be able to help set the record straight so you can make a wis ..read more

If you're looking to sell your home, an extra step you can take to make a good first impression and get more potential buyers to fall in love with your property is through home staging.  Here's our guide if you want to explore what home staging is and how it works, whether it’s worth doing to boost your home sale, what options you have when it comes to staging your home, and loads more! We’ll walk you through it all.   Home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale with the intent to showcase it to potential buyers. It involves rearranging or adding furniture and decor, u ..read more

Whether you have a modest closet or a luxurious walk-in, you just have to be smart and creative when it comes to maximizing your closet storage. You also don't need to spend thousands of dollars to create a more decluttered, more manageable space for your clothes that add confidence to yourself every day.  These simple but practical organization techniques can go a long way, and some of them won't cost you anything but your time and effort.   The first step to organizing your closet is to go through your belongings and purge your clothing, shoes, accessories, and any other items. S ..read more

When you started your home buying journey, you might have only considered the financial perks that homeownership could give, including a more stable monthly housing costs and building equity. But when you think about it, it's love that drives you to provide a safe and comfortable environment for yourself and your loved ones. To have a place designed for your needs and desires is enough to fuel you when searching for a home you can call your own. This love month, let’s highlight the equally powerful emotional and non-financial benefits of owning a home.   Bottom line Make sure you consid ..read more

Whether you're embarking on your first house-hunting journey or it’s time to sell your beloved home, one thing is certain: you’re likely to encounter the term MLS, which stands for Multiple Listing Service. But exactly is it? Even though the real estate industry is highly competitive, the business is unique in such a way that competitors need to cooperate with each other to ensure a successful transaction. And MLS is just the tool to facilitate that cooperation.   A multiple listing service or MLS is a database of all properties currently for sale in a particular geographic region. Whil ..read more

If you're thinking of selling your home this year, one of the many things you might be considering is whether or not you should hire a real estate agent. You think you know a few potential buyers, so you’re being tempted to try to sell your home yourself and just pocket the cash you would otherwise pay an agent. But at the end of the day, will it be worth it? Knowing a few buyers isn’t the end of a real estate transaction. There are other rigorous steps and processes involved, many of which can be stressful and costly especially when not handled properly. A good real estate professional does m ..read more