Good news: whether you're thinking about buying or selling, there is still plenty of time to take advantage of the low interest rates and high buyer demand. While sellers are positioned slightly better than buyers with the demand for homes higher than the supply, there are still some complexities involved in getting to the closing table. Here are a few things that we want you to keep in mind to help you make the most of the fall real estate market, whether you're entering it as a buyer or seller:1. Start the process as early as you can to allot for the unpredictable. For buyers, that mean ..read more

The following guest article was written by Lee CampbellThe popularity of Do-It-Yourself home improvement projects has gone through the roof in recent years. Blame the abundance of “how-to” advice on TV and the internet. Googling “DIY” will bring up a galaxy of websites promising to teach you everything from replacing a doorknob to adding a bathroom. You can find step-by-step instructions on YouTube for every conceivable DIY project – and they make it look so easy!Many DIYers discover it’s often not as easy as it looks. One study discovered one in three do-it-yourselfers called in pro ..read more

The kitchen is the indisputable heart of the home. It has evolved over time from simply a room for cooking meals into a multi-functional space where we also eat, work, share, gather and entertain. With such a pivotal role to play, it’s not surprising that an outdated kitchen is a major disadvantage when selling a house. Pick up a few tips to get your kitchen looking sizzling hot.Countertops That Rock. If you’re aiming for a bold change that will make a real impact, replace your countertops, particularly if you have a tired laminate that has seen better days. Look into the newest “it” material ..read more

Upsize or Downsize: Which is Your Best Move?Deciding if it is time for your family to upsize or downsize is not always a clear choice. There are factors to consider that might push you to take the leap or stay put for a while longer. Whether you are thinking about upsizing so your family can spread out or purging possessions so you can downsize, here are some questions to ponder.1. How are you using your current space?Do your family members feel like they don’t have adequate privacy or space to do their own thing?  Are you tired of working at the dining table and really need an office or ..read more

It’s been a page-turner of a year and time once again to start hitting the books. With back-to-school in mind, help your kids get ready to make the grade by giving them all the tools they’ll need to rock their school days.High-Demand Supplies. Stock up on all the essentials that will help them ace their classes – keep their focus on schoolwork instead of searching for paper, pens and pencils, pocket folders and printer ink. Create a school supplies station in a file cabinet, fill it with all the necessities for the new season and clearly label each drawer’s contents so your student will h ..read more

Considering a fix-and-flip property? Got questions? You’re in the right place. We are here to tackle some of the most common questions we get about this real estate strategy. Let us know if you have others we don’t touch on here. Q: Is real estate still a good investment in 2021?A: Real estate is a great investment. Why? It almost always appreciates over time. While there are occasional fluctuations, the rate of appreciation typically outpaces annual inflation.Q: What is a fix and flip?A: Fixing and flipping is when someone purchases a property, remodels it to add value and then lists it ..read more

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, or you’re suddenly compelled to do so given today’s explosive sellers’ market, you’re not alone. Many savvy homeowners are taking advantage of the moment and there’s no time to waste in getting your home in tip-top shape and ready to sell. Here are a few things you can do to make your home stand out from the crowd, appeal to more buyers and sell quickly.Clear the Clutter. Clean out closets and storage areas to make these spaces seem more spacious. In each room, decide which items to keep, donate, store, sell or toss.A Fresh Perspective ..read more

Our house hunting super power has always been finding the hidden potential.You've seen the shows on HGTV where they buy the ugliest house ever and 30 minutes later it's straight out of West Elm and you're like "I think I could do this!"What happens is, sometimes that potential is hard to spot. When you're looking at multiple homes, you start comparing the ones filled with oak cabinets, funky kitchen layouts and overgrown backyards to the ones that are updated and decorated with furniture from Crate & Barrel. That can make it difficult to favor the ones that need the elbow grease and p ..read more

When it’s summertime, homeowners are usually too distracted by the lure of beaches and festivals to focus on home improvement projects. By the time the fall season arrives, there’s usually a long list of things that you want to do at your home. The pressure to fix up your house can be overwhelming, so start by focusing on these four fall home improvement musts.Give Your Rooms a Fresh Coat of PaintTemperatures can reach 90 or 100 degrees during the summer, so it’s usually too hot to embark on a home painting project. But when the fall season arrives, the weather gets cooler and it’s the perfect ..read more