Many homeowners don't have a green thumb and might feel overwhelmed by the thought of landscaping. Or they're short on time and don't want the hassle of constant watering. Following are a few ideas on how to achieve low-maintenance landscaping: … [Read more...] about How to Achieve Low Maintenance Landscaping
Why You Should Care About Appliance Limit Upgrades
If your eyes glaze over when you hear the words "appliance limit upgrades," you are not alone. What even is that? you might be asking yourself. And why should I care? It's a somewhat unexciting topic, to be sure, until you are faced with phone calls from clients you just sold a high-end home to. Unfortunately, that built-in sub-zero refrigerator just broke down and now your clients are faced with a $10,000-$20,000 replacement bill right after closing on their dream house. Not a happy moment. But being able to calmly tell them to call the home warranty company you so thoughtfully chose for them is worth gold. And that is why you should care about appliance limit upgrades. Here's the skinny on appliance limit upgrades: … [Read more...] about Why You Should Care About Appliance Limit Upgrades
How to Secure Your Home for a Worry-Free Vacation
The whole point of a vacation is to take a vacation from our worries. Peace of mind is a little easier to maintain if you feel confident that the house you left behind for a week is safe and secure. Here are tips on how to secure your home for a worry-free vacation: … [Read more...] about How to Secure Your Home for a Worry-Free Vacation
How Real Estate Became a “Thing” in the United States
Many of us take for granted our right to own a home. And most of us are also unaware of how government-backed loan programs help us achieve homeownership. Referred to as "The American Dream," homeownership has become a rite of passage in this country. But history tells us widespread property ownership is a fairly recent phenomenon. Today, owning real estate is still recognized as the best way to build intergenerational wealth while also enjoying a secure place to live. Best of all, the right to own property is protected by our U.S. Constitution. Here's how real estate became a "thing" in the United States: … [Read more...] about How Real Estate Became a “Thing” in the United States
What You Need to Know About Today’s Homeowner’s Insurance
Maybe you think knowing about homeowner's insurance shouldn't be part of your job as a real estate professional. But think again. The ability of your clients to obtain and afford homeowner's insurance has a direct impact on real estate transactions. Between 2021 to 2023, homeowner's insurance has gone up an average of twenty percent and continues to rise. Meanwhile, the ability to obtain new homeowner's insurance has gone down by thirty-five percent. Regardless of whether you are working with buyers or sellers, homeowner's insurance can be an obstacle. You can't get a mortgage without one. And even if the property is an all cash deal, no one wants to take such a risk. Here's what you need to know about today's homeowner's insurance: … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know About Today’s Homeowner’s Insurance