In some neighborhoods, open houses are a great way to showcase properties to potential buyers. An open house provides an opportunity for those interested in the property to step inside for a look without scheduling a private appointment. Most often,  open houses are held on Sunday afternoons. In recent times, some agents in some areas have held open houses on Saturdays. An open house enables potential buyers to browse at their leisure. While some prospective buyers prefer a private showing, others may not be ready to engage an agent to represent them. If an open house is located in an ar ..read more

  When it comes to buying a home, one of the biggest decisions is whether you’ll go with new construction or an existing property. While both options have their advantages and disadvantages, the type of home you ultimately choose will depend on your lifestyle, the work you’re willing to put into a house, and your budget. In part two of this blog series, we’ll compare new construction to existing homes by looking at factors such as: Timeframe Maintenance and Other Costs Financing Options Timeframe Whether a buyer chooses new construction or a home in an existing neighborhood may i ..read more

  When it comes to buying a home, one of the biggest decisions is whether you’ll go with new construction or an existing property. While both options have their advantages and disadvantages, the type of home you ultimately choose will depend on your lifestyle, the work you’re willing to put into a house, and your budget. In this two-part blog, we’ll compare new construction to existing homes by looking at factors such as: Location Exterior and Interior Design Energy Efficiency Location New construction homes are typically located in new neighborhoods, meaning most, if not all, of ..read more

Homeowners associations, or HOAs as they’re more commonly known, have become increasingly popular in residential communities - and Greater Memphis is no exception. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate buyer or investor, knowing the ins and outs of HOAs is essential to determining whether a community is the right fit for you. While HOAs offer a multitude of benefits for those living in the community, they also come with rules and regulations that homeowners must follow. In addition, they can add expense to the ownership of properties within the association. In this b ..read more

When selling your home, you want buyers to be able to ‘see themselves living there’. Depending on the buyers, that can have several different meanings; so the goal is for the appearance to appeal to as many buyer profiles as possible whether you are living there or not. Your home should feel comfortable, functional, and spacious. Furnishings provide visual cues to buyers regarding how they can utilize the spaces. Furnishings also help buyers have a sense of ‘scale’ of each area.   Of all the tasks on the checklist for selling your home, staging may seem like an unnecessary expense of tim ..read more

Whether you have school-aged children or are planning to eventually start your family, the home you ultimately decide to purchase may in part depend on the public school district (or the location of your private schools of preference) in which a home is located. In fact, many families are willing to pay a premium or forgo other preferences in a home simply because of access to their desired or optimal school. If you’re looking to buy a home in the Greater Memphis area, here are a few things to consider: What options are there for schools in the areas I’m considering?  How do these sc ..read more

On a map, the greater Memphis area resembles a rich patchwork quilt. A wide variety of distinctly unique neighborhoods. Some historical. Others newer. Some are more urban; and others less so. Our neighborhood richness allows residents great choices with regard to where we live.    Whether you’re an incoming transplant, or a long-term resident here simply thinking about moving to a new area of town, it can be difficult to decide which area of our fabulous metro area best suits you. While all neighborhoods have many positives to offer, considering your specific needs in terms of locat ..read more

House prices continue to rise, and inventory is still low in many U.S. cities. Mortgage interest rates continue to fluctuate; but even at the higher rates, most buyers can complete a purchase. But, unlike the ‘unreality’ TV shows, whether you are buying or selling, you will benefit greatly by having an experienced, knowledgeable, successful agent representing you. There are dozens of agents to choose from and it has been said that everyone knows at least six agents, if not a dozen or more. There is nothing wrong with working with a friend as long as the friend is well-qualified. However, bein ..read more

During winter months, there are a surprising number of opportunities to improve our homes. Whether or not you plan to sell your house in the near future, there are projects and maintenance items which will increase your home’s market value. Doing them now puts you in a better position to sell when the time comes. And, you have the added benefit of enjoying the improvements too! Memphis winters often consist of mild, temperate weather punctuated by a few ice or snow storms. So, let’s start with some outdoor projects you can do when the weather is nice. Then, we will consider indoor projects yo ..read more

What are inspections? Because a home is a significant expense and buyers may not be fully trained to research and identify a comprehensive list of potential problem areas, we may need the assistance of licensed specialists. A general home inspection is a legally defined service that most homebuyers employ regardless of the age, size, or cost of the property.   A licensed home inspector will evaluate your home with a trained eye from top to bottom.  That means everything visible, from the roof to the foundation, including major systems and building components.  A general ho ..read more