The shortage of homes for sale has fueled the frenzied housing market of the last few years. A healthy market has a six-month supply of inventory, but as of early January 2023, there’s only a three-month supply.
Continue reading “Tips for Buying a House When Inventory is Low”How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Buying a house can be complicated. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead wherever possible.
Continue reading “How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage”4 Tips for Navigating the Changing Housing Market
Over the years, homebuyers and sellers have had to navigate a wide range of real estate conditions. But unlike the big market changes of the past, we have swung from one extreme to the other in less than three years. The market went from rock-bottom mortgage rates, bidding wars, and incredible home appreciation in 2020 to near-record-high mortgage rates, plummeting housing demand, and falling home prices at the end of 2022.
Continue reading “4 Tips for Navigating the Changing Housing Market”What Rising Interest Rates Mean for Home Buyers
Mortgage rates plummeted to record lows during the pandemic, driving up demand and pushing up listing prices. The frenzy has come to an end, giving buyers negotiating power for the first time in several years. But it’s not all good news. Here’s a look at what’s happening in the housing market right now and what rising interest rates mean for home buyers going into 2023.
Continue reading “What Rising Interest Rates Mean for Home Buyers”Why Isn’t My House Selling Faster in Columbus, OH?
When you first decided to sell your home, you expected it to move fast once eager buyers saw what you had to offer. But your property has been on the market for months now, and it isn’t generating the level of interest you hoped for. Have you done something wrong? Consider five common mistakes that could be preventing you from selling your house quickly.
Continue reading “Why Isn’t My House Selling Faster in Columbus, OH?”7 Tips to Maximize a Small Outdoor Living Space
So, you’ve just made an offer on a house, and you couldn’t be more excited. The kitchen is spacious and modern. The floor plan is open and inviting.
Continue reading “7 Tips to Maximize a Small Outdoor Living Space”Adding Value to Your Home Before You Sell
Before embarking on a home improvement project, most homeowners want to know—what projects add value to a home and attract more buyers? In short, the ones buyers also want and are willing to pay for.
Continue reading “Adding Value to Your Home Before You Sell”What are Closing Costs?
As you decide how much house you can afford, you probably consider the list price, what you’ve saved for a down payment, and the resulting monthly mortgage.
Continue reading “What are Closing Costs?”Crafting a competitive offer
You’ve worked hard to find the home or investment property of your dreams.
Continue reading “Crafting a competitive offer”Why you shouldn’t waive inspections entirely
A home sale is contingent on many things. One contingency is a home inspection.
Continue reading “Why you shouldn’t waive inspections entirely”Coming to Columbus: The Intel Project
Have you been thinking about buying or selling a home in Columbus, OH?
Continue reading “Coming to Columbus: The Intel Project”8 Cleaning Tips to Sell Your Home Faster
Selling a house takes a lot of work. One of the most important steps is to clean inside and out before putting your home on the market.
Continue reading “8 Cleaning Tips to Sell Your Home Faster”Buying a Historic Home? What to Know Before Buying and How to Preserve It
Have you got your eye on a historic home? Often beautiful and full of character and charm, these homes can also be quirky and unique.
Continue reading “Buying a Historic Home? What to Know Before Buying and How to Preserve It”How Much Does It Cost to Stage a House?
If you’re about to list your home to sell, you may have heard that staging is a good idea. What does this mean, exactly? How much does it cost to stage a house? More importantly, is the expense worth the investment?
Continue reading “How Much Does It Cost to Stage a House?”Does Your Home Make You Happy?
After a few years of occupying the same old house filled with the same old furnishings, it’s easy to feel uninspired by your surroundings. Fortunately, you can revitalize your living space and boost your mood by making a few simple and inexpensive changes. Here are seven updates to try.
Continue reading “Does Your Home Make You Happy?”A 4-Step Downsizing Plan for Buying a Smaller Home
There are many reasons to move to a small home. Maybe you want to save money with a lower mortgage or have fewer rooms to keep clean.
Continue reading “A 4-Step Downsizing Plan for Buying a Smaller Home”How Much Do You Need for a Down Payment?
As you begin your home-buying journey, one of the first steps is to save up for a down payment. Many people think you must put 20% down, but this notion is outdated and no longer the only option for getting into a house. In fact, the median down payment in 2019 was 12%. This figure drops to 6% for first-time buyers and increases to 16% for repeat buyers. Depending on your loan type and credit score, you could put down as little as 3%. And if you qualify for a VA or USDA loan, you may be able to buy a house with $0 down.
Continue reading “How Much Do You Need for a Down Payment?”Why Selling Your House with a Real Estate Agent is Essential
Buying or selling a home is the largest transaction most people will ever make. While it’s legal to sell on your own, this route is not recommended, even in a seller’s market like the one we’re in now. Here’s a closer look at why it’s essential to have a real estate agent to guide you at every turn.
Continue reading “Why Selling Your House with a Real Estate Agent is Essential”Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022
Are you among the many renters looking for a new place to live in 2022? Perhaps you’re relocating for work, want to live closer to family, or have another reason to move when your lease is up. Whatever the case, you may be shocked at the asking price for rent these days, especially if your landlord has kept your rate pretty stable. Before you get into a new apartment rental, learn more about rising rents and why this could be the year to buy a house.
Continue reading “Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022”What to Include in Your Final Walkthrough Inspection
A final walkthrough inspection is the critical last step of buying a house. If the seller previously agreed to make repairs, this is your chance to check them out. A last-minute walkthrough also ensures the house is exactly the way you expect it to be when you move in. There’s a lot to think about, so it’s wise to bring this checklist with you to make sure you don’t overlook anything.
Continue reading “What to Include in Your Final Walkthrough Inspection”8 Steps for House Hunting in Ohio
As with other complex decisions, buying a house involves a series of steps. If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Ohio, we recommend following these eight steps to move the process forward quickly and smoothly.
Continue reading “8 Steps for House Hunting in Ohio”How Long it Takes to Sell a House in Columbus, OH
Are you preparing to sell your house? You might wonder how long the process takes. This depends on several factors, including location, market trends, your home’s condition, the time of year you list your home, and how you choose to sell.
Continue reading “How Long it Takes to Sell a House in Columbus, OH”5 Reasons to Consider Selling Your House in the Winter
As you probably know, spring and summer are the most popular seasons to buy or sell a house. The warm weather and the ability to move between school years are two driving factors behind this popularity. With this information in mind, you may wonder if you should wait until after winter to list your home on the market.
Continue reading “5 Reasons to Consider Selling Your House in the Winter”