Tuesday, May 14, 2024 / by Steve Halen
Selling your house is a big decision. Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ve probably ever made, and it’s a place where you’ve created countless memories. That combo means there’s going to be a lot of emotions involved. You want someone who understands your perspective, knows what it feels like, and is an expert at helping homeowners just like you navigate the process of selling a home.
That’s where a good listing agent, also known as a seller's agent, comes in. Here are just a few skills you’ll want your agent to have.
The Ability To Turn Something Complex into Something Simple
Some agents are going to use big, fancy real estate terms to try and impress you. But you shouldn’t have to know all the industry jargon in order to understand what they’re saying. If anything, it's an agent’s job to keep it simple, so you don’t get overwhelmed or confused.
A great agent is going . ...
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Saturday, May 4, 2024 / by Steve Halen
Some Highlights
Having a hard time finding a home in your budget? ?Builders may have a solution that can help.
Builders are shifting their attention to what buyers want most right now – smaller, more affordable homes.
If you want to see what’s available locally and in other areas nearby, let’s connect and explore your options together. ...
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Saturday, May 4, 2024 / by Steve Halen
You may have heard mortgage rates are going to stay a bit higher for longer than originally expected. And if you’re wondering why, the answer lies in the latest economic data. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening with mortgage rates and what experts say is ahead.
Economic Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates
When it comes to mortgage rates, things like the job market, the pace of inflation, consumer spending, geopolitical uncertainty, and more all have an impact. Another factor at play is the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and its decisions on monetary policy. And that’s what you may be hearing a lot about right now. Here’s why.
The Fed decided to start raising the Federal Funds Rate to try to slow down the economy (and inflation) in early 2022. That rate impacts how much it costs banks to borrow money from each other. It doesn't determine mortgage rates, but mortgage rates do respond when this happens. And that’s whe. ...
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Saturday, May 4, 2024 / by Steve Halen
Thinking about buying a home? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and able, it could still be a smart move to get your own place.
1. Home Values Typically Go Up Over Time
There’s been some confusion over the past year or so about which way home prices are headed. Make no mistake, nationally they’re still going up. In fact, over the long-term, home prices almost always go up (see graph below):
Using data from the Federal Reserve (the Fed), you can see the overall trend is home prices have climbed steadily for the past 60 years. There was an exception during the 2008 housing crash when prices didn't follow the normal pattern, but generally, home values kept rising.
This is a big reason why buying a home can be better than renting. As prices go up and you pay down your mortgage, you build equity. Over time, t. ...
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Monday, April 15, 2024 / by Steve Halen
What Are Buyer’s Agents Fees?
June 21, 2023 By Bill Gassett
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When embarking on the journey of purchasing a home, many buyers often enlist the assistance of a buyer’s agent.
Buyer’s agents play a crucial role in helping buyers navigate the complex real estate market and secure the best possible deal.
However, it’s essential to understand the concept of buyer’s agent fees before agreeing.
We will delve into the details of buyer’s agent fees, explaining what they are, how they work, and why they are worth considering.
What is a Buyer’s Agent?
Before explaining buyer agent fees, you should understand what a buyer’s agent is and what they do. A buyer’s agent works with home buyers as their fiduciary. They are emboldened to the buyers as their trusted advisor and confidant.
A buyer’s agent functions as someone who is in your corner thro ...
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