Here's a sweet analogy- think of a home for sale like your favorite bread or pastry. Most, if not all, are best consumed when they’re freshly baked, much like a home that has been fresh on the market. But bread gets stale as days pass by, which makes it less and less appealing. The same can be applied to a listing. As a home’s days on the market creep higher, it gets “stale” and prospective buyers start to be curious. This can be a huge factor in real estate transactions. Days on market, often abbreviated DOM, is defined by the National Association of Realtors as the number of days from the d ..read more

Selecting and buying furniture for your beautiful abode, whether it be a sofa, dining table or any other piece, is no doubt fun and exciting. Especially if you're a first-time homeowner who finally has the liberty to choose whatever furniture you want to fill your private space with.  But before you give your home that desired Pinterest-inspired look or buy an item that’s similar from what you’ve seen online or from your favorite home decor magazine, keep in mind that furniture-buying can also be stressful and overwhelming. It’s probably the next commitment (and investment) you have to m ..read more

Cleaning can be tough, but it's something we need to do consistently to take care of our humble abode. Not to mention it’s a crucial task to keep our family and home safe in this pandemic age.  We’ve put together a list of top-tier cleaning tips to get your home cleaner and healthier. 1. Always dust first One thing to remember when cleaning your home is to always dust first and work from the top of the shelves, then down and around. This way, dust that doesn't get trapped in your cloth or duster will land on the floor and can be swept or vacuumed away. 2. Clean your cleaning tools This ..read more

Savvy home buyers and sellers often have the same goal: to get the best price possible for and out of their biggest investment. For many sellers specifically, it means selling their home for top dollar and within their predetermined time frame.  To achieve this, it's necessary to implement the right strategies to make your listing stand out and stay ahead of the competition while spending as little extra time and money as possible. Here are five best-kept tricks of the trade to ensure you get the most out of your home sale: 1. Work with a local real estate agent. The main thing to remembe ..read more

If you're looking for a family-friendly community with great schools, outstanding recreation, and convenient access to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., then you've picked the right place to call home. Howard County, Maryland, is home to bustling suburbs like Columbia and Ellicott City, which have ranked among the best places to live in the U.S., along with charming small towns like Elkridge and Sykesville. The Jennifer De La Rosa Group can help you choose the perfect Howard County community for your pace of life. However, the work isn't over once you have keys in hand. After the paperwork is s ..read more

It's natural for many sellers to be hesitant to accept the first offer they receive on their home. Especially when we are experiencing extreme shifts in the Marylad housing market. Howard County home sellers may want to entertain multiple offers from interested buyers and could even be thinking about potential bidding wars. In certain circumstances, however, the first offer on your home may actually be the one you should accept. It might make more sense, especially if it is a fair one and you are living in a fast real estate market.  Here are specific cases where the first offer on your ..read more

Having enough money to put as a down payment is one of the biggest roadblocks to purchasing a house, especially to first time buyers. Add to that the competitive housing market in Howard County, and buying a home just got harder. If you're one of the many people who aspire to turn their homeownership dream into a reality, you probably know that among the many things you need to start doing is to save money for a down payment.  However, it’s easier said than done and may be dependent on many factors, such as your income, current debt, responsibilities, etc. Even your current savings play a ..read more

A multigenerational household is typically made up of aging parents, their adult children, and their teenage or young grandchildren. This setup has seen a steady rise in recent years, with over 64 million Americans living and sharing a multigenerational household, according to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis of census data. It's a large-scale change that continues to alter the way people buy and build homes. Why are multigenerational homes becoming popular? There are many factors that can help explain the rise of multigenerational living. According to the 2020 Profile of Home Buyers and ..read more

Selling a home is no different from buying your first. It can be complicated, time-consuming, and emotionally challenging. There's no way you can just let go of your precious abode and easily trade your house keys for a sweet pile of money. Don’t let your love of your home stand in the way of a great deal. Avoid These Home Selling Mistakes 1. Underestimating the costs of selling a home Hate to break it to you, but it isn't just potential buyers who need to cough up money for additional expenses related to a home purchase. You also need to get ready for things such as closing costs, agen ..read more

Neighborhoods, like people, have unique sets of personalities and characteristics. Whether you're planning to buy a home or considering renting for the meantime, it’s important to figure out if the neighborhood you’re considering fits your lifestyle before you make your move. This is why digging into local details such as safety, walkability, nearby schools, and other local demographics beforehand is crucial. It will help you determine if your potential neighborhood suits you, which could save you from lots of headaches or getting buyer’s remorse later on. Your real estate agent is one of your ..read more