The Federal Reserve has created 18 months of rate hikes to calm inflation, but the real challenge for the property market has been the continuing high 10-year bond yield. These bonds are viewed as one of the safest possible investments and an indicator of investor confidence in the economy, so the yield will impact mortgage…
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One of the first and most important actions when selling a home is to find a high-quality real estate agent. Choosing an agent can be a confronting challenge so it’s worth looking at some figures from proptech Active Pipe. Research revealed sellers made their choice based on: personality of the agent (24.2%); reputation, conveyed by…
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We may be in the middle of winter right now, but it’s only a few weeks before spring and an excellent time to start planning your garden. It’s a smart play to research the plants you’d love to see this year rather than wander into your local gardening store without a plan and become overwhelmed…
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Are you at home, wondering why you’re spending so much on your heating bills and still feeling a chilly draft? If so, I doubt you’re the only one. Some 90% of residential properties are under-insulated, according to measurements taken by the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). It’s claimed that Americans would reduce electricity consumption by…
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Can your behavior as a seller affect the speed of your deal and the amount a buyer will pay for your property? For sure, it does! If you’re a committed seller and ready to make a few sacrifices to help your prospective buyers, you’re far more likely to maximize the value of your home. Sellers…
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Prioritizing personal circumstances is one of the best ways to determine when to sell a property. Despite high prices being recorded in many locations, plenty of homeowners have held on tightly since mid-2023 in order to avoid the 22-year high interest rates of 7% to 8%. But, with mortgage costs forecast to fall during the…
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With so much focus on high mortgage costs, it’s worth doubling down on some of the finer points of applying for a home loan. While the Federal Reserve’s artificially high mortgage costs are stopping some homeowners from selling, there are more than a million buyers in the market today. These tips are designed to help…
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Research has shown that a good bathroom, like a quality kitchen, can contribute more than 15% to the value of a property. While remodeling can be an expensive project because of its complexity, there are some great budget-smart ways to tackle the challenge. While a full remodel will usually need three contractors, a plumber, electrician…
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When it comes to home maintenance, owners tend to overrate their DIY skills, producing work that either doesn’t add value to their property or damages it. Be aware that poorly executed and finished work will diminish the property’s value. If buyers recognise poor work they will often seek a discount to pay for remediation or…
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Convincing your family to share the housework is one of life’s greatest domestic challenges. Asking your kids to do their chores instead of staring at their phones or blowing up stuff on computer games doesn’t get easier with the years. So, if caring and sharing also means sharing the housework, try these few ideas. Time…
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