Suzanne's Blog

Understanding Supplemental Property Taxes After the Death of an Owner in CA

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 17, 2024

In the realm of real estate, understanding taxes is crucial, especially when it comes to changes in property ownership due to life events like the passing of an owner. If you own property in California, you may have heard of supplemental property taxes but might not fully grasp what they entail, particularly after the death […]

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Do Cash-Out Loans Come With A Tax Break?

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 9, 2024

First you need to understand what a cash-out refinance is. In such a refinance, you swap your existing mortgage loan for a new mortgage in which you borrow a higher amount. You use the found cash to pay for whatever you’d like. For example, say you owe $150,000 on your current mortgage. You might refinance […]

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Selling Smart: Why a Real Estate Agent Makes All the Difference

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 3, 2024

If you’re considering selling your house on your own as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO), you want to think about if it’s really worth the extra stress. Going this route means shouldering a lot of responsibilities by yourself – and, if you’re not an expert, that opens the door for mistakes to happen and can quickly […]

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Housing Market Forecast: What’s Ahead for the 2nd Half of 2024

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 1, 2024

As we move into the second half of 2024, here’s what experts say you should expect for home prices, mortgage rates, and home sales. Home Prices Are Expected To Climb Moderately Home prices are forecasted to rise at a more normal pace. The graph below shows the latest forecasts from seven of the most trusted sources in the industry: […]

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The Downsides of Selling Your House Without an Agent

By Suzanne Volkman | Jun 26, 2024

Some Highlights Considering selling your house without an agent? You should know there are some serious downsides to handling it on your own. You’ll be missing out on marketing tools that draw in more buyers, pricing and market expertise, essential negotiation skills, in-depth knowledge of the fine print in contracts, and so much more. Don’t take all of this responsibility on. Instead, connect with an […]

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Focus on Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market

By Suzanne Volkman | Jun 26, 2024

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a big question on many people’s minds today. And while what timing is right for you will depend on a lot of other personal factors, here’s something you may not have considered. If you’re able to buy at today’s rates and prices, it may be better to focus on time in […]

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Buying a home? 111 reasons to use a buyer’s agent

By Suzanne Volkman | Jun 17, 2024

So, you’re ready to buy a home. Here’s your next 111 to-dos. * Get Informed – Do Your Research 1. Research the real estate industry and legal services to understand what’s available to you, including the entire process and necessity for legal representation. 2. Achieve proficiency in federal and state fair housing laws that protect […]

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Buyer’s Remorse Rooted in Surprise Property Issues

By Suzanne Volkman | Jun 10, 2024

Consumers may be distracted by fancy fixtures and finishes during a home tour, overlooking more serious problems, researchers say. Eighty-two percent of home buyers express regrets about their recent property purchase, according to a new survey(link is external) from Clever Real Estate. Their most common regret: buying a home that requires too much maintenance. Twenty-eight percent of […]

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What Real Estate Agents Wish Buyers Already Knew

By Suzanne Volkman | May 16, 2024

Heading into the spring buying season, practitioners want home buyers to be more realistic and organized. Home buyers need to be ready for the spring market, which is likely to see home prices continue to escalate amid stiff competition among consumers for slim inventory options. More than half of real estate professionals say that “managing […]

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