Suzanne's Blog

Packing to Move – 7 Amazing Tips & Tricks

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 27, 2023

1 – Use The Correct Boxes Even if you’re on a budget, make sure to purchase specialty boxes. Just one wardrobe box per bedroom will help tremendously. Your clothes will not arrive at your new home wrinkled and you won’t have to worry about packing your hangers. TV and art boxes are also worth the […]

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Buy a home now and refinance it later? Here’s what experts think

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 21, 2023

For some buyers, it may make sense to buy a home now and refinance it to a lower rate in the future. GETTY IMAGES While inflation is cooling, interest rates remain high, which puts a damper on Americans’ plans to buy a home or refinance their existing mortgages. The natural question many homeowners are asking themselves […]

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Just 1% of U.S. Homes Have Changed Hands This Year, the Lowest Share in at Least a Decade

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 21, 2023

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– (NASDAQ: RDFN) — Roughly 14 of every 1,000 U.S. homes changed hands during the first six months of 2023, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s down from 19 of every 1,000 during the same period of 2019 and the lowest turnover rate in at least a decade. […]

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FHA vs. Conventional Loan: Which Mortgage Is Right for You?

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 13, 2023

FHA versus conventional loan: If you need a mortgage to buy a house, you may find yourself weighing these two options. What’s the difference, and which one is right for you? While the majority of homebuyers might assume they should get a conventional home loan, about 40% end up with FHA loans, which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. […]

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Interest Rates : A Short History

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 13, 2023
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What prospective homebuyers should do until interest rates drop

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 13, 2023

In this high-interest-rate environment, many prospective homebuyers are put off by high mortgage costs. Homes that might have been in your budget in the past might no longer be affordable when accounting for monthly interest payments. But that doesn’t mean the situation is totally out of your control. While mortgage timing can be tricky, you […]

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Unveiling the Key Trends in the 2023 Cost vs. Value for Home Improvements

By Suzanne Volkman | Jun 28, 2023

As a REALTOR®, it’s my responsibility to stay on top of the latest trends and developments in the housing market. Home improvements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a property but also significantly impact its overall value. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key trends shaping the cost versus value […]

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What’s the Difference Between Your Home’s Market and Assessed Value?

By Suzanne Volkman | Jun 23, 2023

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

By Suzanne Volkman | Jun 8, 2023

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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