Here are the key differences between tax rate and tax value. Tax rate and tax value are two very different things, but they do pair together to create your tax bill. Today I’m going to explain both aspects in further detail to help you further understand the process. Your tax rate is set by your elected officials. These are things like city or county governments, as well as school districts or community colleges. Elected officials define their budget for the following year, and they have to set a rate to meet that budget. On the other hand, your tax value is set by an appraisal authority in y ..read more

After the bombshell of a housing market the past two years, the El Paso housing market is starting to reflect the situation around the country. The home-buying landscape suddenly looks a lot different with rising inflation prices and high mortgage rates. That is not to say, of course, that there is no demand out there for a new home because there is, but homebuyers are simply dealing with a different reality than a few years ago.  So, what does that landscape look like for home selling and home buying in the Sun City? Let’s look at some numbers in the El Paso area.  Interested in se ..read more

Three things you can do to increase their chance of winning a bidding war Right now, inventory is very low, and many buyers are looking to purchase. According to the National Association of Realtors, homes are getting an average of 4.8 offers, so how are you going to stand out? Here are three things you can do to win a bidding war in today’s market: Hire a real estate professional who will stand up for you. This business is based on relationships with other agents, and having a good rapport with the seller’s agent can go a long way. Make a competitive offer upfront. Don’t think that you c ..read more

 What you need to know about inspections before you buy. Today I want to go over three points about home inspections. First, I want to discuss what inspections are. Next, should you get an inspection? Finally, what should you do after your inspection? Let’s get into it. So what is a home inspection? It’s when a third party searches a property you may be purchasing and identifies any issues. They may not go into full detail, but they will determine if there are deficiencies in what you are buying. A few of the things inspectors usually look at include plumbing, electrical, structural issues ..read more

 Today we’re discussing why inflation is on the rise and why it matters.   What is going on with inflation in our economy? How does inflation affect the real estate market? Today I’ll answer these questions and share a couple of resources you can use to stay up to date on inflation rates and the value of your money. First, what is inflation? Simply put, inflation occurs when the value of a dollar goes down while the price of products goes up. Is that what’s happening right now? A great resource to consult is USInflationCalculator.com. There, you can see the value of the dollar is today ..read more

You can’t predict the future. When you bought your home, you likely envisioned yourself there for a few years. But now, perhaps you’ve suddenly found yourself facing a relocation, a new job opportunity, a growing family, or any of life’s unpredictable events. You have to decide the best course of action: what should you do with your house? Should you sell your home? Or should you rent it out?  As with many things in life, the answer is it depends. Whether or not this is the right choice for you will hinge on a variety of factors, life goals, financial situations, and more. So here’s a sho ..read more

Are you looking to sell or buy a home in 2022? Competition remains fierce, supply is still low, and mortgage interest rates are likely to rise steadily but with no sign of waning demand. These are just some of the takeaways the country’s experts are suggesting for the real estate market for the new year. Surprises may be lurking. Let’s take a closer look at the details. The Real Estate Market in the Last Two Years  Those in the real estate business know that 2020 and 2021 were wrought with bidding wars, low inventory, high demand, and unprecedented mortgage rates. Homebuyers and sellers h ..read more

After you purchase your first home, it’s probably a big sigh of relief knowing that you did okay. You’ve learned the ins and outs of the buying side and figured out everything you need to know about negotiation and mortgages. Even though that’s just scratching the surface. However, lots of Americans do come to a point in their life where they decide to sell their home.  The sell side of real estate is a whole different learning process and it may feel frustrating. You’ve spent lots of time learning how to buy a home, just to do it all over again with selling! We’ve put together a checklis ..read more

It’s common to spend your precious free hours learning about the ins and outs of buying a house. We know how exciting it could be because it’s a meaningful milestone in your life, and one you should celebrate. At the same time, buying a home is an anxiety-riddled process with lots of transactions happening in such a small period of time.  The best thing you could do is keep doing what you’re doing – research and preparation. That’s why we’re here to talk about something that gets brushed under the rug for many: The hidden costs of buying a house. The true cost of home ownership reaches pa ..read more

We can’t ignore the fact that paying taxes is a burden. It’s an obligation for homebuyers in America and one of the many challenges of having your own home. However, paying taxes shouldn’t steer you away from owning a home. In fact, the real estate industry regularly crosses with politics and solutions are made.  Homeowners could benefit from tax advantages including deductions and discounts. It’s just a matter of doing research and finding out which advantages you qualify for. That’s why we’ve put together this article. Find out some of the key tax advantages of home ownership.  How ..read more