Suzanne's Blog
Focus on Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market
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
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
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
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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California REALTORS® place open letter in California newspapers to mitigate confusion about pending changes in industry business practices
“If you’ve been reading about real estate lately, you’ve no doubt heard about antitrust lawsuits and settlements by real estate brokerages and the National Association of REALTORS®. You’ve also heard about the settlements resulting in certain changes in how agents will be compensated for their work,” C.A.R. President Melanie Barker said in the letter. “Recent […]
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More home sellers are paying capital gains taxes — here’s how to reduce your bill
More Americans are paying capital gains taxes on home sale profits amid soaring property values — but there are ways to reduce your bill, experts say. In 2023, nearly 8% of U.S. home sales yielded profits exceeding $500,000, compared with about 3% in 2019, according to an April report from real estate data firm CoreLogic. There’s a reason the report […]
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What Buyers, Sellers Want Most From Real Estate Agents
When it comes to buying or selling a home, what are the top things that most clients are looking for when they hire a real estate agent? Let’s take a look.. The majority of home buyers and sellers rely on real estate agents—nearly 90% of them—but they’re looking for certain types of help, and what […]
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7 Types of Tax-Deductible Home Improvements
With Tax Day in your rear view, make sure you are taking all the home deductions for which you may qualify for during this tax year. Nearly a quarter of homeowners say they’re planning major renovations this year, and some of those projects may be eligible for a tax deduction. This could help alleviate some of the […]
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Let Your Home Equity Fund Your Retirement
Struggling with Money? Learn about Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) If you’re low on cash, you might consider a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). It’s like a reverse mortgage backed by the government. This means if you meet certain requirements, you can borrow money against the value of your home. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) […]
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