
Imagining your dream home is one thing; actually finding it is something else. Compromise is a part of the buying process, so knowing what your top priorities are ahead of time will help you stay on track when purchasing a home.
Since most home shoppers now search for properties online, discovering the true value of a REALTOR® begins when you spot that "perfect one" and want to take a closer look. Your agent will help you with everything from connecting you with a lender for pre-approval to researching property history to negotiating the deal. But before you even tour a single house, your REALTOR® can save you time and hassle by learning more about you, your needs, and what constitutes your perfect home.
With some astute questioning, your real estate agent can drill down to the essential elements, sorting out the "would likes" from t...

Clear your clutter by at least half. With few exceptions, we all have accumulated extra things, and over time, we become blind to them. But you can be sure the camera – and potential buyers – will notice. Take a look at your home with a critical eye, or else bring a friend over to help. In each room, pull things from the corners, the shelves and the side tables into the middl...

It's been said that everyone knows at least three real estate agents. While that may not always be the case, choosing the right agent to help you sell a house can be a tough choice. Look beyond their commission rate, and ask yourself these questions to make your decision easier.
Do they really know the area? Whether they're new or not, they should have plenty of local knowledge. This is important when dealing with questions of school district, property taxes, planned changes to the community, or local ordinances. Someone who is thoroughly familiar with the area, and fond of it, will better convey that enthusiasm when marketing your home to potential buyers.
Are they easy to communicate with? Real estate agents have lives too, keeping b...

WAIT! You don't want to ruin this, do you? You may have been pre-approved for the loan, but that doesn't mean it's guaranteed. These common mistakes can cost you. The lender will pull your credit again shortly before closing. If you've done anything that gives them cause for concern they can raise your interest rate or worse, deny your loan. Here are some things your lender and your real estate agent should warn you about.
DON'T:
Staging is the process of making your home look appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, increasing the odds of a quicker and higher offer. When properly done, staging will make your home look so good, they'll want to move in that day! Statistics from a study conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® in 2017 show that home staging not only made it easier for buyers to visualize themselves living there, but it also decreased the amount of time a home spent on the market. If you want a leg up on the competition in your market area, consider these home staging projects.

LIVING ROOM
If you only stage one room in your house, make it this one. You can start by rearranging your furniture into inviting con...