Gutters that work efficiently are essential to protecting the foundation of your home. Gutters are designed to redirect water to downspouts that carry the water to a suitable drainage location, well away from your foundation. But gutters need regular maintenance to work effectively and can be difficult to access and hard to keep free of leaves and debris. So in case you've ever pondered this question, here's how to know if you need gutter guards: … [Read more...] about How to Know if You Need Gutter Guards
Knowledge is Power: Things Affecting Real Estate Now
"To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge." - Confucius As a real estate agent and business owner it's important to have some knowledge of what may lay ahead. The market dislikes surprises and the spring-summer sell season surprised many with its lackluster sales and a housing market often described as "frozen." Buyers and sellers alike faced strong headwinds such as unaffordable housing prices, higher than expected mortgage rates, and sky-high insurance and taxes. Meanwhile sellers struggled to adjust to a market that was less enthusiastic than in the recent past. The somewhat irrational exuberance seen in yesterday's post-pandemic era has come and gone. This has resulted in an increase of 47% more delistings in June as unbelieving sellers pulled their … [Read more...] about Knowledge is Power: Things Affecting Real Estate Now
What is “Mys” and How to Use it in Your Home
Mys is a nordic design trend hailing from Sweden and means "coziness." Its essential philosophy is to use interior design to create a lifestyle practice of deep comfort and appreciation. More than mere decoration, mys embodies a lifestyle built around work-life balance. Examples include cuddling up with a good book, sharing time with friends, or having a leisurely meal. Learn more about "mys" and how to use it in your home: … [Read more...] about What is “Mys” and How to Use it in Your Home
Ways to Prepare Your Home for Extreme Weather
With winter right around the corner and the threat of extreme weather becoming more commonplace, it's time to make sure your home is buttoned up tight. Even though September is technically the month of fall, it's also the month when many of us begin thinking about winter. Which naturally leads to thoughts about weather. With that said, here are ways to prepare your home for extreme weather: … [Read more...] about Ways to Prepare Your Home for Extreme Weather
Ways to Avoid Deal Cancellations
Owning a home has many advantages, such as being able to call your own shots and building equity over time. After all, it's a foundational part of the American Dream. But it can also be expensive, especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs. Meanwhile, would-be homeowners are being further spooked with high interest rates, high property taxes, expensive insurance and an uncertain employment market. As such, many buyers are priced out of the market altogether or choosing to sit on the sidelines in the hope that prices will ratchet down. In today's market dynamics, renting often makes more sense than buying. Recent statistics show that almost 15% of pending home sales fell through in the month of June alone. A good number of buyers are choosing to back out of deals as they sense a … [Read more...] about Ways to Avoid Deal Cancellations