Suzanne's Blog
What’s the Difference Between Your Home’s Market and Assessed Value?
Understanding your home’s value is an important part of knowing your net worth, what you’ll likely receive if you sell the property and how the local real estate market is faring. Home value is also an integral part of determining how much property tax you’re required to pay the local and state government annually. But depending on […]
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Five Ways to Build Home Equity
Whether you currently own a home or are thinking of purchasing one, you may be looking for ways to build equity. Home equity is the overall difference between the amount you owe on your mortgage loan and your home’s market value. Home equity can be used to take out a loan, invest, build long term […]
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Tips for a Successful Yard Sale
Yard sales are a great way to convert items that you hardly ever use into cash that can be saved, donated, or put towards a large purchase. However, a successful yard sale takes a considerable amount of preparation and planning. Here are some tips on how to hold a great yard sale. Set a Goal […]
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State Farm, Allstate stop selling home insurance to new customers in CA
State Farm and Allstate have announced they will no longer sell new home insurance policies in California because of wildfire risks and an increase in construction costs. Here are some facts: State Farm and Allstate are not leaving the California Insurance Market: State Farm and Allstate will continue to service and renew policies of existing clients […]
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Should you rent or buy? High home prices, mortgage rates challenge the American dream of homeownership
When Greg Morano proposed to his girlfriend Kayla Lewis, he knew their next big decision as a couple was looming: should they rent or buy their first home together? The couple spent months discussing the size, style and location of apartments before considering homeownership. “I think that’s the dream everybody grows up with — it’s one […]
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Homeownership as a Vehicle to Build Wealth
Over the last decade, the median-priced home in the U.S. gained $190,000 in value, making the typical homeowner 40 times wealthier than if they had remained a renter, according to a new report. Low-income homeowners (those earning no greater than 80% of the area median income) built $98,900 in wealth as their homes while middle-income (those making […]
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Top Features That Will Boost Home Values in 2023
With rising mortgage rates, many homeowners are worried about the sales prices of their homes. However, according to a recent report from Zillow, there are many things you can do to increase buyer appeal and value. The real estate website compiled data from nearly two million homes listed for sale in 2022, analyzing home prices, along […]
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Homeowners’ Zeal for Curb Appeal May Pay Off Handsomely
Demand for outdoor features has boomed since the start of the pandemic. These projects stand to earn the most at resale, according to a new survey. Many homeowners have turned their attention to enhancing their outdoor space since the pandemic began—and that may pay off at resale, according to a new survey from the National […]
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How to avoid being ‘house-rich, cash-poor’ by selecting the right mortgage for your budget
Owning a home doesn’t just put a roof over your head — it can also put money in your pocket (at least on paper). According to a 2022 report from the National Association of Realtors, single-family homeowners accumulated an average of $225,000 in wealth from their homes during a 10-year period. But what if the equity you […]
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