Tag: country_us

Realities of applying for mortgage today

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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Budget ideas for bathroom remodels

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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Will DIY work impact property value?

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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Encouraging family to share housework

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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Paint companies announce new color swatches

It’s always fun to predict the next home fashions, and when it comes to real estate, many owners love to know the colors in vogue for 2024. Whether renovating a new property or planning a home facelift, color choices can be swayed by what the paint manufacturers decide is this year’s fashion. For 2024, blue…
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Tips for handling 2024 market conditions

Understanding the mood of a market is a fundamental principle of buying and selling any product, but it’s never more essential than in real estate. With the market in a post-boom transition period influenced by high mortgage costs and strong prices, buyers and sellers need to understand each other’s perspectives. Buyers are best served if…
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Buying versus renting dilemma

With so much discussion about mortgage costs going down in 2024, is it better to buy now or continue renting until interest rates have fallen below 4% or 5%? Delaying a decision until mortgage costs taper down comes with the risk of trying to buy as prices increase. This list of pros and cons in…
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Forecasts reveal 2024 market improvements

Better times may be ahead in the real estate market during 2024, in a year that promises to see the end of rising mortgage costs and the start of a journey to a more normalized market. Although, given it’s an election year, some uncertainty will remain. All the talk is expected to continue to revolve…
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Rejuvenating scratched hardwood floors

Constant foot traffic and the inevitable knocks of everyday living eventually take the gloss from any hardwood floors. Many buyers highly value a beautiful wooden floor. It’s an elegant foundation that sets the tone for the rest of the property. These tips will help restore these floors to their former glory. Return on investment If…
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Effect of bond yields on property market

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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