Assessing the benefits of an extensive home remodel against selling your property is a task many homeowners undertake before they decide it’s time to move on. Selling your home is rarely an easy decision. Our homes hold family memories, and that makes it tough to leave. It’s also likely to be your most significant financial…
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The decision to upsize your family home is often years in the planning and part of your long-term wealth strategy, but sometimes life can spring the change on you. Upsizing to a larger family home is a significant financial decision as it commits you to a bigger mortgage, increased utility bills and higher rates and…
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House hunters love a beautiful garden, but many run for the hills once they figure out how much work it takes to keep one in great shape. A wonderful garden turns heads but ultimately attracts only those buyers who find pleasure from working in the backyard. As a local agent, I’ve worked with clients who…
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One of the greatest mistakes many buyers make is to rush the decision. It’s easy to get swept up in the emotion of finding your dream home. Even in a hot market, it’s important not to buy on emotion or skip important steps that will protect you. Diligent agents will insist that all the necessary…
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It comes to most of us eventually – the day when we decide it’s time to let go of the family home and downsize to simplify your life and minimize your expenses. Downsizing is one of the most popular reasons for buying and selling real estate among those in their mid-50s and early 60s. That’s…
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Modern house designs often emphasize the garage, combining secure access into a property with the aesthetic of sleek doors that obey your command at the touch of a button. Buyers increasingly favor homes that have the garage integrated into the design so that it provides secure access – and they’re willing to pay a premium…
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It’s incredible to think that Americans spend more than $300 billion every year on upgrades, repairs and maintenance of their homes. This estimate from Harvard comes in a report in which three-quarters of the homeowners quizzed said they’d felt a sense of accomplishment from their projects. As an experienced local agent, I believe there’s never…
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Spending too much on improving your home is a sin in the real estate game. We call it over-capitalizing, and it means you’ve spent more money on a renovation than you’ll get back in return when the time comes to sell. The most common areas to over-capitalize on are in the kitchen and bathroom. It’s…
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The quality of a bathroom can be a major consideration for buyers and plays a major role in your comfort in any home. Poor bathrooms spook buyers who worry they will cost a lot to repair or replace – and can be miserable to live in. Small bathrooms, which are common in our neighborhood, are…
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One of the necessary evils of owning a home is a regular pest inspection. When you’re buying a house, it is essential to use an expert pest controller to ensure no termites or other infestations are present that could compromise the integrity of the structure. It’s common for homes to suffer invasions of ants and…
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