The Art of Selling Historic Homes: Marketing Charm and Character
In the realm of real estate, historic homes stand out not just as mere residences but as gateways to the past, offering a unique blend of charm, character, and a tangible connection to history. These properties tell stories of bygone eras, embodying architectural styles and craftsmanship rarely seen in modern constructions. Yet, bringing these silent…
Avoid These 5 Critical Mistakes When Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also be fraught with pitfalls, especially for inexperienced buyers. Avoiding common mistakes can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Let’s delve into five critical errors that first-time homebuyers should steer clear of: 1. Not Starting the Approval Process Early Failing…
Mortgage Rates Continue to Decline and Applications Rise Again On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.74 percent, down from last week when it averaged 6.88 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.6 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate…
Beginner SEO Tips for Real Estate Agents
For most Americans, the home search starts online. They hit the web, pull out their smartphone, and start looking for an agent to help in their quest. In some cases, they might even start searching for properties without an agent in tow. Either way, it begins online — and if you want to ensure your…
Exploring Agricultural Real Estate: A Guide to Diversifying Portfolios
In a world where investment portfolios are as diverse as the investors themselves, agricultural real estate stands out as a unique and promising opportunity. For instance, the average price of an acre of farmland has gone from $186 to an all-time high of $4,080, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Often overshadowed by…
Owning vs. Renting: A Side-by-Side Comparison with Real Numbers
Choosing between owning and renting is more complicated that one might think. To help you better weigh the options, here’s a comparison with real data points, acknowledging the pros and cons of each approach. Owning Potential for appreciation: While past performance is not indicative of future results, the national average home price appreciated 3.5% over the…
5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Refinance Your Mortgage
While still on the lower end of the 30-year scale, interest rates have risen to about 6.8%, reaching levels significantly higher than 2021 when rates were as low as 2.96%. At the same time home prices have surged to all-time highs, and inventory remains very tight. These market conditions have left many homeowners contemplating whether…
The Revival of Co-Living: Opportunities for REALTORS® in Modern Housing Solutions
The landscape of the housing market is continually evolving, adapting to the changing needs and preferences of its residents. Among these shifts, the resurgence of co-living stands out as a beacon for modern housing solutions, particularly appealing to millennials and digital nomads. Gone are the days of family-centric housing, and as the job market is…
2024 Spring Market Predictions
As winter comes to a close, the 2024 spring housing market is expected to see a range of trends, including mortgage rate changes, home price movements, and sales activity. Here are some key predictions from housing experts: Experts anticipate the market to be characterized by continued high prices, limited inventory, and ongoing affordability challenges, with…
Think You Can’t Afford to Buy a House? 10 Ways to Put a Home Within Reach
Affordability is the main concern of most consumers looking to buy a house, particularly for millennials and Generation Z. If you’re hoping to buy a house in the near term, it likely has you feeling a bit discouraged. Will you ever be able to afford a house? Will you be stuck renting forever? Fortunately, there…