Let’s face it; buying a home is an emotional undertaking. First, there’s that huge wad of money you’re spending. Then, there’s the fear that years of mortgage payments will disappear and you’ll actually lose equity on the home. If you shop carefully, however, you can banish those anxieties. The trick is to keep yourself from focusing solely on houses and expand your vision to the neighborhood in which the houses are located. 1. No kids? Schools are still important Homes in good school districts cost more for a reason: they hold their value better than homes in poor-performing school districts ..read more

Oh, those overpaid real estate agents, who needs them? Believe it or not, this is the feeling of many real estate consumers when they contemplate buying or selling a home. Though they may know nothing about the process, they will freely enter into it, affixing their names to one of the most significant documents they will ever sign, without professional representation. Sure, it may seem that I have an agenda in cautioning you to not forego an agent’s services; I am, after all, a real estate agent. With my real estate license, however, comes a fiduciary duty to the real estate consumer, one tha ..read more

Disasters can strike at any time, leaving communities vulnerable and unprepared. The Callaway County Community Disaster Readiness Expo is an important event that helps prepare communities for unanticipated disasters. On May 13th, 2023, from 10am-3pm, this free expo will be held at the Callaway Electric Cooperative in Fulton, MO, offering demonstrations and exhibits of emergency equipment and tools.  The expo provides a range of activities to help attendees prepare for disasters. The Sandbagging Contest between various cities in Callaway County is an interactive way to learn how to protec ..read more

To analyze the real estate market. One way involves looking at how much (or how little) home prices have changed compared to the basics. In other words, when you compare housing prices to recent changes in economic growth, income, and interest rates it tells a very different story,. so whether you’re looking to sell your home in the next few months or just get a better understanding of the housing market, understanding supply and demand will be a key factor in your decision. In short, the fundamentals of this market clearly suggest that prices have been rising for years. This provides some we ..read more

Mortgage rates dropped due to the Federal Reserve lowering rates in response to COVID-19. Record low mortgage rates are expected to stay near all-time lows through 2020, at least according to Freddie Mac's latest forecast published November 1, 2019. Mortgage rates have fluctuated significantly in the past several decades. Throughout the 1970s until 2019, mortgage rates included two major jumps to 14 percent. Another spike occurred in 1980 to 1981, when rates jumped from 9 percent to 15 percent within a year. The 1980s saw six years of mortgage rate increases, including a jump from 9 percent ..read more

Have you been considering buying a house instead of renting? It’s a tough decision—especially given the state of the economy. And, as a renter, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy a home. In order to make an informed decision, you need to discuss several things with yourself and your family. Will it be easier to rent or buy? What are the advantages of each? Are there any disadvantages? Here are several things to consider so you can make the best decision possible on whether you should rent or buy. Pros and Cons of Renting Renting has become the norm for many Americans. And w ..read more

Recently Suzanna Wolfe was featured by 2021 Fulton San Callaway’s Best Magazine, a digital publication that showcases the paths of excellent businesses and entrepreneurs. They informed us that they had awarded #1 Best Real Estate Company in Fulton, Missouri and Callaway County on page 12, #1 Best Auctioneer on page 14 to Wolfe Auction Service and Suzanna Wolfe Team, as the #2 real estate agents in Fulton on page 10. For more than 22 years, Suzanna Wolfe has brought the finest listings to market through highly personalized service, mind-blowing technology, and constant innovation. Our experien ..read more

Everyone wants a home they love, where they feel comfort and warmth. Yet many of us have a home we rarely enjoy because it's too messy, cluttered, or hard to live in. “6 Happy Tips for Home” is a guide to creating the home you love, and easily maintaining it. Through my personal experience, psychology research, and scientific experiments, you will learn how to create a space you love enough to make it your sanctuary. 1. Be Grateful On What You Have Home centers us. It's our haven, our comfort zone, where we go when we need to feel at home. It's where we relax and recharge for the day after ..read more

For many buyers, paying more than list price for a home goes against the grain—or, more specifically, the sense they’re always supposed to negotiate and get the best deal in the transaction. However, paying more than list price might be warranted in some cases. If you’re buying in a seller’s market, you may have to pay more than a home’s listing price. Seller’s markets, also known as “hot” markets—have high demand but low supply. Due to this, home prices jump, and competition is stiff. You could find yourself up against bidding wars, and a higher offer may be the only way to stand out and sec ..read more

A cash offer refers to an all-cash offer made by a purchaser to the seller in a real estate transaction. The purchaser does not need a mortgage loan or any other type of financing to complete the transaction and is willing to pay cash to complete the transaction. A cash buyer has an advantage over other buyers who need a mortgage because the seller is interested in choosing a buyer who can close the transaction without additional uncertainties. For a traditional mortgage buyer, there is no guarantee that the lender will approve the loan. Various factors such as credit score, home appraisal, et ..read more